Series1.5 steering column conversion LHD to RHD

[tinworm]

Hello Heronscourt, (can we have a Christian name?) The only reason the tube is shorter on the later S1 columns ( rigid type) is to fit the plastic ring type switch (two types one with horn push the other without) .You can shorten the top tube to make a hybrid tube and get away with it no problem. If you have the mounted flag type fixings these are LHD and RHD and need to be turned round to let the switch be mounted on the other side. By far your easiest approach is to fit the 3.8/4.2 earlier style switch and shroud as this will go straight on - as I said above - and you can use everything else you have already bought.
When Barratt lists a part number it is not necessarily the correct one - it just means the item offered can be used on other models thats all - best not to take it as read from their website - I think they just want to be helpful.

Regards Barrie

[Heronscourt]

Another issue is that the new upper column bearings just won’t fit in the tube. They’re certainly not a push fit I’d have to use a drift of some sort to force them in. They’re very hard and I’m worried that if I go down that route I’d damage the locating pimples. They’re also very tight fit on the column although I suppose that’s a good thing. Anybody done this and encountered the same problem?

[Heronscourt]

Thanks Barrie, from measurements I’ve just taken 16mm off the top of the tube will allow the horn push indicator to move forward sufficiently for the UJ to be located on the upper column. The switch just clamps on the tube so there are no other changes to make. It’s easy to fit it to left or right of the column and the existing shroud will work. Only other job is to alter the ignition switch mounting plate to fit on the tube. It’s a non lock switch. The plate was bolted to the tot of the federal column and ha a tube to mount the indicated. If I remove the tube, leaving the short collar the tube is in it should just slide over the steering tube.

[abowie]

Anybody done this and encountered the same problem?

I've never found them satisfactory. I machine bushes out of Delrin that are about 20mm or so long.

[Heronscourt]

Just received a second set of bearings from Barrats, a much better fit than the one from SC parts, supple instead of rock hard and over size. The second one from SC never turned up but in fairness they say they have sent a replacement.

[Heronscourt]

Latest issue is that with the bulkhead and under scuttle mounting bracket fitted the steering tube lower mounting holes on the steering tube do not line up with the holes in the alloy mounting bracket. The solution would appear to fit 5mm spacers between the upper mounting bracket and the bulkhead to bring the lower tube mounting holes back in line with the alloy bracket. Photos show the misalignment and the position where proposed spacers would be required. Has anyone seen this problem and is the proposed solution safe and acceptable?

[tinworm]

Don't forget C24285 spacer on lower bracket.

Barrie

[Heronscourt]

Thanks Barrie, I’m not sure that would move things enough to line up the holes. I also understand it is listed as NLA at Barratts

[tinworm]

Hello Alan, its not difficult to make the spacer - its the same rectangle shape as the mounting face of the lower bracket and is 3/16" thick.

Barrie
ps If you can its worth measuring all the parts and comparing with an existing car particularly if repro items are being used.

[Heronscourt]

Thanks Barrie. It’s interesting that the spacer doesn’t appear on the series 1 4.2 illustration on Barratt’s website but is on the 1.5 car illustration even though all all other part numbers are identical and apart from the misalignment of the holes shown on my photo everything else lines up pretty well. I can’t imagine that the position of captive nuts for the bracket mountings were changed. It may be the usual pattern part problem. I’ve asked Julien Barrett for an opinion and I’ll post his response. What is your opinion of my suggestion regarding moving the upper bracket away from the dashboard with spacers to line up the tube mounting holes with the lower bracket? Longer mounting bolts obviously needed but Is it a safety issue?

[tinworm]

Hello Alan , I have seen spacers used under the top bracket - they were square with a slot - so a 'U' shape . Jaguar don't list a spacer here - so I don't know if that was an unlikely production line fit or a retro fit. Not safety related as long as everything is tight.
Looking at your photo the legs at the bottom of the top tube may be your problem - some adjustment of these I have seen many times.

Barrie

[Heronscourt]

Thanks again Barrie, I’ll look at if the legs can be cranked slightly to line up the holes.

[Heronscourt]

Hi Barrie, a further thought. What about detaching the legs and re attaching them 5mm further back up the tube thus avoiding the possibility of damaging the legs while trying to adjust the crank? This also gives more clearance for the UJ to rotate if the upper column only just clears the end of the tube

[mgcjag]

Hi Alan...no need to double post here and in the sngb user group section.......best if you just continue with your steering issues in one place...on this thread in the technical section....Steve (forum moderator)

[Heronscourt]

OK Steve, it's just that I'd had good support from Julien Barratt and wanted to recognise that fact