The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

I didn't know the Club sold them in which case I would recommend buying from the Club first.

Steering bush has arrived Hopefully fit that tommorow. Some other parts ordered too
Now for some probably silly questions
Brake calliper pistons are stuck, does any one have any tips?
Im aware the fuel lines will need renewing- what is it best to do this with?
Are there any sources for Mild steel tailpipe? or am i going to have to bite the bullet and go stainless?

Thanks for your advice so far,
Dalton

Exhaust:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/EXTH176-EXHAU ... 51c6fb878c

Calipers - stick them back on the car, remove the pads from one side at a time and pump!
Or bodge up an air line to the calipers, but take GREAT care with this, the pistons come out like a rocket and will damage lots of things if they hit - including your head!

Thanks guys!
Looks like i can go shopping again,:)
Some more bodywork today as well as trying to fit a steering bush....
Most stressful thing so far, trawled the forum and found a few threads about it. Tried to take the intermediate shaft out but could not with pinch bolts undone, is there a knack to this? then tried to remove the column- no luck the struts that hold the steering column up as they catch the dash , and so it can't be taken out without the sheer bolts being removed- which i tried but was unsuccessful in doing. any advice?
Oh well. One expects to run into some hurdles along the road

You will have to undo the steering rack so you have room to separate the coupling, rack and column. The column will have to stay in situ. You could unbolt the top bracket but I reckon that it is more work because you will need access to it (the bracket is right behind the dashboard) Once the coupling has been removed from the column, the plate can be unbolted and the bush replaced. Refitting the coupling will be a pig of a job (been there, etc...). Don't forget to check the condition of the coupling and replace where necessary. This is one of those "while-you-are-there" jobs that makes sense to do at the same time.

I've just had a thought: Did you remove the pinch bolts? There's a groove in the bottom of the steering column and in the pinion of the rack. They engage with the pinch bolts to stop the coupling from separating. If you've left the bolts in situ, you'll never be able to separate the coupling.

To clarify-
-both pinch bolts were undone and no movement
-top bracket removed ( absolute pig of a job- you were right), the issue with this is the bracket hits the dash when trying to pull the column out.

Do you have the parts catalogue page so i could have a proper look at the column parts, where to separate etc?-

The Haynes manual say to take the shear bolts off- which i'd rather not do, thanks for your advice .
-Dalton

DaltonBarham wrote:To clarify-
-both pinch bolts were undone and no movement

To be absolutely clear, as TM said, you need to remove the pinch bolts, not simply undo them. Even if you remove the nuts so that they're totally loose, the bolts rest in a groove in the shaft which will still prevent the joint from being taken apart.

Jer

They were completely removed...hmmm the plot thickens !
When I pull on the on the column you can see the splines sliding out of the joint-
then the brackets hit the dash and it refuses to budge anymore!
Dalton

With the 1300 it isn't necessary to remove the pinch or shear bolts. You just loosen all three pinch bolts on the rack end column end and flexible coupling. Clean it all spline wise as best you can with a fine wire brush and apply some plus gas.
Maybe leave it overnight?

Then pry open the bits where the pinch bolts go a thou or two with a wedge like a ball joint cracker or big screwdriver.
The splines should then let go and let you get it off the column and let it shorten and maybe come off the rack as well.
Then you can change the column bush - if you loose the column support bars under the dash it should pull into the car
enough to change the bush.

Much easier job with the HL column, which is why I changed it all for an HL setup on our 1300 when we had it.

Jonners

DaltonBarham wrote:To clarify-
-both pinch bolts were undone and no movement
-top bracket removed ( absolute pig of a job- you were right), the issue with this is the bracket hits the dash when trying to pull the column out.

Do you have the parts catalogue page so i could have a proper look at the column parts, where to separate etc?-

The Haynes manual say to take the shear bolts off- which i'd rather not do, thanks for your advice .
-Dalton

I have a BL Dealership parts catalogue i wil photo the page tonight and upload if that helps?

I've got the parts catalogue (Dolomite Range 1976-1980) in PDF format which I've uploaded to my BT Cloud. Please feel free to download it. I can post the relevant page(s) on here as well if it helps.

Thanks guys that would be really helpful!

I hope this helps...

DaltonBarham wrote:Thanks guys that would be really helpful!

steering col 4 by cs271269, on Flickr
steering col 3 by cs271269, on Flickr
steering col 2 by cs271269, on Flickr
steering rack 1 by cs271269, on Flickr
Hope this helps <

Thanks guys!
Passed my test today so here comes the rush to get the dolly done.
Ordered some more bits today but still having issues with the bush- aiming to get this fitted over the weekend!

Dalton.