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MG TD TF 1500 - Reverse the steering flange/pinion?

I was attempting to install the steering column on my TD restoration today. I found that when I oriented the flange to the column with the steering centered the flange is oriented with two ears up (think Mickey Mouse) rather than one up. If I hook up the steering column that way it ends up upside down-- the woodruff key for the steering wheel is at the bottom, and the bolt for the upper chrome clamp ends up at the top.

I think the problem is I may have reassembled the steering rack incorrectly many years ago. My question is how best to fix it. I can remove the flange and turn it 180, which may be a little tough to do as I know those flanges can be stuck pretty well. The alternative would be to disassemble the rack to remove the pinion and turn it 180.

Any thoughts on the best option? Can I just remove the pinion cover, push the pinion down, rotate it, and put it back without removing the rack?
David Littlefield

David - I did that on the steering shaft on out TD. The easiest method it to remove the bearing cap on the rack itself and push the pinion down far enough to disengage the rack, rotate the pinion sufficient to get things aligned the way you want them and reassemble. Cheers - Dave
DW DuBois

Great, Dave, thanks! That's what I was hoping to hear.
David Littlefield

There is an index Mark for proper pinion to rack orientation . Regards, tom
tm peterson

Thanks, Tom. I know that's what the WSM says, but an archive search indicated that no one has been able to find it. Do you know where it is located and what it looks like? Got a picture? Thanks again...
David Littlefield

This thread was discussed between 07/02/2016 and 08/02/2016

MG TD TF 1500 index

This thread is from the archive. The Live MG TD TF 1500 BBS is active now.