Help fixing steering column movement

[tarynus]

Hi everyone,
I know this is a common problem with dolomites as I read on the forum, apparently changing the bulkhead bush would solve the problem but I'd like some information on how to actually change this.

Here's a link to a video of the movement I have:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m6wKqffgS0

Correct me if I'm wrong, to change the I want to dismount the bolts circled in red on the pictures below, and take out the 4 screws metal part?






Sorry about the huge size of the pictures, I don't know why they are this big

[Jon Tilson]

You dont need to take that plate off to change the bush.

If the bush is indeed worn - you can tell because the column will flap about in the hole in the bulkhead - you just separate the
bit inside the car - the adjustable column - from the bit under the bonnet - the intermediate shaft.

Just on the bulkhead you will see the joint - it is on small splines and held by a 1/2 inch AF pinch bolt that runs in a groove. Remove the pinch bolt
- best to do this with the steering wheels set to dead ahead and note the inner column should have the steering wheel set with the spokes
horizontal. Then you can force the intermediate shaft off the splines. I use a forked ball joint tool but a large scredriver or coal chisel does the job.
If its a bit stiff give it a good soak in plus gas while you have some tea. Try and force a chisel in to splay the splined pinch section apart. The column
should push back into the car a bit as well. You can also lever from inside the car under the big flat washer that buts up against the bush.

Once apart you can remove whats left of the old bush and pop the new one in. The flat bit is inside the car- conical bit goes towards the engine side.

Its worth cleaning all the spliney bits up with a wire brush and use a bit of copaslip or similar on reassembly. They last about 3 years and it makes it a lot easier next time.

Jonners

[tarynus]

Thanks a lot John, that's great, i'll have to get my harraps French/English dictionnary out to understand it all but I should get to it

[Edin Dundee]

The club sells this part in Poly, much better than rubber.

[Toledo Man]

Bill, is it the Superflex one? It is highly recommended.

I'll resize the photos when I get home (I've just got into work and I can't do it from here).

Edit:Now done

[sprint95m]

Fit a Superflex bush, (don't bother with the original type, they don't last) but before doing so.......
....the intermediate shaft universal joint looks seized, judging by your video.

When you disconnect the steering column it is easy to check the UJ, it should move freely (with no discernible play).
To do the check, simply hold the shaft steady whilst moving the UJ.

If the UJ is seized it may be salvageable by immersing in a penetrating fluid.
In the event of a new replacement being required, insist on a forged joint (not a pressed joint).


While you are it this, you should also check the condition of the lower joint (which is attached to the steering rack).



Hope this helps



Ian.

[dolligaf]

As Jon said, you may not need to replace the bracket. I had similar movement in mine, found that bush had gone, as in left the car, no bush. Can see you still have so may not be bad.
My bracket had a keyhole shape in where it had been wearing for some time. Then found that top and bottom joints had gone too.....deep joy!
But I got it done myself, quite satisfying.

[Edin Dundee]

Yes, the club sells the Superflex Chris Witor bush.

[GrahamFountain]

As well as the bulkhead bush, have you checked the flexible coupling (part number FAM1718)? This is just above the steering rack in the column assembly. I assume it is the same on the left hand drive cars. If you are disassembling that much of the steering column, it is well worth considering overhauling or replacing this part also.

But, be warned, I got one of the "remanufactured" FM1718s (as shown here: viewtopic.php?f=4&t=15525&p=153792&hili ... 18#p153792 ), and it broke after only a few months of use - see here viewtopic.php?f=4&t=26583#p253396. It broke while I was driving.

It does not seem to matter where you go for these either ; all the suppliers seem to be selling these copies, which apparently come from China. The problem looks to be that these copies have smaller diameter bolts than the original ones : 5mm diameter instead of (I think) 5/16ths of an inch (7,9 mm). If you calculate the cross sectional areas, 5 mm bolts are about 2,5 times (25/63) smaller than 5/16ths ones. That would mean they would have to use bolts with 2,5 times the strength to get the same reliability, and I do not think they have. I worry about resistance to metal fatigue especially.

I fitted a universal joint (UJ) instead, which Rimmer Brothers are selling as FM1718P. It is a little bit longer than the one I took out. So it could only be fitted when the intermediate shaft had been removed. But it is much, much better than the replacement FAM1718 was. Even before it broke! According to sprint95m there's an even better part at http://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=145377RM, which I may get and fit the next time I have the column out.

Graham

[tarynus]

Thanks everyone for all the help, haven't had time yet but i'll get to get to it tomorrow and also check what the flexible coupling looks like.

[tarynus]

Hi everyone,
I tried unsuccessfully to remove the union joint from the steering column,
I removed the 1/2 inch pin bolt but i don't understand how to force the intermediate shaft off the steering column, i used a screw driver to splay the pinch section but then am i supposed to drag the steering column inside the car or pull the intermediate shaft down? As it doesn't seem possible to me to drag it down without disconnecting the flexible coupling...

The flexible coupling seems to need replacing too as it has movement too, so I think i'll try to get the Chriswitor part graham recommended.

Here's a video of the whole intermediate shaft to give better idea:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vtEXJe ... e=youtu.be

[mahony]

The lower flexible coupling bolts have to be loosened off and the flexible coupling ( the one attached to the steering rack ) tapped upwards towards the bulkhead until the bottom of the coupling clears the steering rack and then you can remove the intermediate shaft from the steering column , your right your flexible coupling is kaput

[tarynus]

Thanks mahony, i'll try it this way today hopefully with success!

[tarynus]

Hi,I removed the two flexible coupling bolts, the one to the steering rack and the one to the intermediate shaft, i tried tapping it up for 30min with a piece of Wood and hammer but nothing moved any ideas?

[mahony]

You need to get a screwdriver and open up the coupling at both ends to widen it and plenty of wd 40 or similar