MG-Cars.net

Welcome to our resource for MG Car Information.

Recommendations

Parts

MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG MGB Technical - Steering Wheel Splines

My car is a UK-spec GT of 1969 vintage with the older style solid steering column. I have a new Moto-Lita steering wheel for it and I am finding that although the boss is the correct one, the splines are just a smidge too tight. I could force the boss right home by screwing down the nut, but if I do I suspect I will never be able to get it off again. Can anyone suggest how to ease it a little?
Mike Howlett

If the boss is supposed to be correct then you have been supplied with the wrong one or it is faulty, take it back. None of the three (at least) columns had the same splines and hence the wheels were different. Filing the boss out a bit is a possibility but it depends just where the interference is occuring. If it is on the top, bottoms *and* sides of the splines then you have a job on!
Paul Hunt

Mike,

I've a Mountey wheel and boss, 1970 GT fitted with the 1972 collapsible column. Loose fit on the splines, but very tight once it gets onto the plain section of the shaft after the splines. I forced it down by tighening the nut. Comes off easily enough with a small bearing puller.

Try polishing the plain section of the steering column to see if this works?

Hope this helps,

Neil
Neil

It is the correct boss. It will go about half way along the splines before it tightens up. I haven't got it on as far as the tapered smooth part of the shaft so far. As I say, I'm sure it would go right on with the application of the nut, but I really wonder if it would ever come off again.

Taking it back would be tricky, because I only have it as a special concession from my MG supplier. I already had the wheel which had been fitted to a later car with a different column. When I was buying many, many hundreds of pounds-worth of parts from the supplier, I asked about the boss I needed for this earlier car, and they threw it in free of charge as a thank you for using their services. I can hardly go back and say it was rubbish, especially as we are talking about months and months ago. It just needs easing a touch. I think I will try a little gentle filing of the valleys in the boss with a needle file.
Mike Howlett

This thread was discussed between 04/10/2008 and 05/10/2008

MG MGB Technical index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG MGB Technical BBS is active now.