Steering Column Help please!!

[paulsco]

Andrew,

Unfortunately I am unable to measure my inner column as it is fitted to the car.

I am fairly confident that before moving the bracket, my outer column was original and un touched, so the bracket was in its original place; not quite, but with its tips close to the top of the column tube.

I was very careful when moving it to make sure this distance was maintained and there is a raised spot on the each side of the column, which I believe is there for the specific purpose of locating this bracket.

My indicator switch has the manufacture date stamped on it and I believe this as well as the cancelling finger is the original fitment, i.e. the long one.

Looking at my column, there is what I consider to be a large gap between the indicator housing and the steering wheel; this does not look right to me, but the indicator and the horn work.

I have left it for the time being, but i would be interested to know how you get on.

Paul

[andrewh]

thank you Paul. I am still struggling but what I have learnt today, from several specialist parts suppliers , is that there are about 3/4 different inner and outer columns across 3.8 and 4.2, and thats not counting the LHD/RHD parts which largely relate to the bracket brazed to the top of the outer column tube. I am told by these specialists, that every part can be made to work with the others, and its all about holes and brackets being in the right place. So it seems that I should be able to get my parts to work together if I can establish what I need to do. I am just concerned that my inner column is not MK2 before I cobble around with it. I am not in any massive hurry, still building the car, but it would be nice to sort it out as I will need to drive it at some stage!

[38E]

Here's a LHD column I have from about a '65 car for comparison. (The notes apply to a previous thread.)
The vertical position of the inner column can be established by the mark on the inner made by the grounding contact (in the lower opening).

[andrewh]

Thank you Clive, that is very kind of you to post. Apart from the location of the bracket for holding the switch and cover on, which appears to be further back from the end than mine, it looks to be the same inner column. So what I am thinking is that I will have to remove that bracket anyway, to mount on the other side for a RHD and I can remix it slightly lower down the tube to give me clearance of the tang ( finger) . I will set it up in the car and see how it locates and then make the final decision. Very helpful, as have all the posts been, thanks Guys. Still not there , but getting an idea of the requirements.

As an aside Clive, I saw your wonderful 3.8 made it back to the UK . A friend wanted to buy it when he saw the photos, but it was sold already. As a further co incidence, I used to be friendly with the original owners son. Small world!

[38E]

.....Apart from the location of the bracket for holding the switch and cover on, which appears to be further back from the end than mine, it looks to be the same inner column. So what I am thinking is that I will have to remove that bracket anyway, to mount on the other side for a RHD and I can remix it slightly lower down the tube to give me clearance of the tang ( finger)

Hi Andrew,
There does seem something strange about the column you have , almost as if the top end has been shortened for some reason. The one I have came from an complete original car although the rest of the car went to the crusher years ago. One thing I found out is that the canceling tang will foul on the bracket and it is only held away on installation when the upper U/J splines are tightened in a suitable position.

As an aside Clive, I saw your wonderful 3.8 made it back to the UK . A friend wanted to buy it when he saw the photos, but it was sold already. As a further co incidence, I used to be friendly with the original owners son. Small world!

How about that! Until recently when I received a heritage certificate, I actually never knew about the original owner (interesting guy, racing cars and offshore boats etc.). I did speak briefly with his eldest son Peter. He remembered riding in the car as a child but admitted that he was not a really car guy himself, more into horses.

Yes, I owned the 3.8 for 40 years so I've had my time with it. At first I used it as an everyday hack in England, then after I moved here, I eventually completely restored in my garage here and I had it back on the road for almost 20 years.

[andrewh]

thank you Clive. I have sent you a PM.

[ralphr1780]

Andrew, viewing your pics you seem to be missing a bracket which comes between the fixed bracket and the stalk body.
This bracket will put the stalk at the right distance from the column and the cancelling finger.
Have a closer look at the first picture posted by Simon-288GTO.
Or, you have to rotate 180° and fix the stalk from the other side of the bracket!
If still unclear, let me know and I will dismantle mine and take pics to illustrate.

[andrewh]

thank you Ralph. This is very kind of you to contribute and offer to strip your to help. Please don't do that!!

I will take another look at mine tomorrow in light of your observations and report back . Its not rocket science this, but without the correct set up in front of you it can be quite confusing!!

cheers Andrew

[ralphr1780]

No worry Andrew, have still a long way to go and this is still very much easy access yet, will take a couple of min.
I just had to look at it closely few days back because after I fit the new dash top and the demister pipes I tested the wiring: all worked fine except the turn signal indicator lamps that were no more blinking whilst the relay was clicking ok.
Speedo removed, bulbs tested ok.
Checking the wiring diagram, the ground connection to the bulbs is given by the stalk when pushed right or left, and it takes its ground from the subject bracket you are now concerned about.
So removed the stalk and scrapped the paint on the column housing where the bracket nipple should rest for proper contact, and all is back in order.
Something you should pay attention to upon reassembly, if you have applied a new coat of paint.