The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Pic of the exhaust, bumper is a bit pitted alright.

Still need to fit the heater motor, waiting to check all the manifold properly before i do that though..

Had a look today with a bit of assistance from an old mechanic guy i know to make ready for the mot, i have a few issues i need to sort. Handbrake needs adjusting. brakelights not functioning, and he checked the steering and said there is play at the steering wheel,and that i need to get a new bearing for it. Not sure where il get it, maybe rimmers? not really sure what its called either,just that there is play at the top at the ignition key/wheel area.
Need new carb springs too as they are a little weak. Overall the car is getting there, i did want to take it to the Ace cafe on the 16th but that wont be happening now unfortunately.

I'd suspect the bush at the bulkhead before anything else...

Cheers David, to be honest steering bearings/bushes is not something i've really had to do before, especially on this car. He said it needs a bearing closest to the steering wheel but I thought i'd ask on here before doing any work. I will be doing the work myself so dont want to be buying bits i dont need and spending time changing things that are fine so any advice would be appreciated! I'm going to have a look at rimmers to see what they have got and be back after further investigation of the problem etc...

If its the bottom one it will be obvious. It will be missing where the steering column goes through the bulkhead / floor. there is a rectangular (roughly) plate with 4 bolts and the bush sits in the middle of it. 2 mins to find out if its that one.

I've never done a top bush on these...

johnnyv1 wrote: there is play at the steering wheel

You need to check things systematically.
As David has already stated, the bulkhead bush is a prime suspect, but there are other components
that need to be checked as well.
These include the intermediate steering shaft UJ joint, lower steering coupling (a common source of wear), the
steering rack mounting rubbers*, the steering rack and all the steering balljoints and track rod ends.
The steering column bearings are long lasting.


* It is possible to upgrade these by fitting Superflex bushes,
or by fitting a solid clamp to the nearside and a Superflex bush to the offside.
A Spitfire type solid clamp is suitable but ensure you get the longer U bolt a Dolomite requires.

Cheers for the advice sprint95m. The steering balljoints and track rods ends are fine as far as i can tell. I took the steering wheel off today to have a quick look, done a quick vid if anyone wants to have a gander, not very exiting though: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FyWDrGij3w

Cheers.

Okay that is indeed the top bearing gone. Its little roller based and some of then have probably fallen out.
Your quickest course of actiojn is to source a decent 2nd hand column.
I should have one and will have a look.....If I ain't got one Alun will and yes that is a MoT fail.

You are unlucky. Ive only ever need to do this job once...20 years ago when you could still get the bearings from your local BL dealer!

You may be in luck...try Fitchetts but I think getting a bearing and redoing your own is a big ask now.

Jonners

Thanks Jon,

Is it more easier then to change the whole column than the bearing?

If so, let me know if you can find a decent one and I will take that off your hands...

Cheers for the help again everyone.

Top bearings quite often come up on ebay.
I think these are common to other Triumphs.
Part number is 153393.



However,
I would take Jon's advice and go for a good replacement steering column.
They are not difficult to fit.





The bottom bearings are like the proverbial hens' teeth.

This is the only thing i could find on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TRIUMPH-SPITFIRE- ... _500wt_721

I'l go with the advice given on here if its easier to change whole thing, there has been some noise in the column since i bought the car so I don't mind grabbing a decent second hand column off somebody If Jon doesn't have one...

Sorted the dashlights,rev counter and brakelights today. Still need a decent steering column if anyone has one...

Just found the upper column bearing i need on ebay but it has 6days left on it. Its probably better that i get a decent whole column anyway as it makes a good bit of squeeking inside further down when i turn the wheel.

Popped out to Jon on thursday who managed to fish out a column for me for a couple of squid (Cheers Jon, it was good to meet, I must pop out again someday when i get the car running). So hopefully tomorrow il have it fitted up ready for an mot next week some time...