dpb Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Urgent help would be appreciated. After some work by a garage on the steering rack and lower steering column coupling, I am travelling home this evening and the whole outer steering column and attached binnacle start moving with the inner column, not all the time but when cornering. Its a bit scary trying to figure out where the indicator stalk has got to in the dark. I've had a look and it seems there are two outer column clamps - one behind the dash and one further down. But even though these appear to be fully tightened the outer column moves within them. A look at the manual seems to indicate some felt lining pieces which presumably is the friction device to stop the outer moving. Am I missing something? Has the garage disconnected something else? Cheers Dave. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 HI Dave, quite frightening. Have you got the spring #33 http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/triumph/tr2-4a/steering-suspension/steering/steering-rack-column-wheel-tr4-4a.html The clamps along with the felt should hold it tight. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted November 16, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Roger Don't know, could not see one when I was checking. Not listed in my workshop manual either. Is it an addition to a 4a?, rather than the diagram in the WSM which I suspect is a 4. I'll have another look though. Cheers. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 16, 2015 Report Share Posted November 16, 2015 Hi Dave, that spring clip is definitely on the 4A. It grips the outer column very significantly. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4A1965 Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Roger, I though No.33 was the clip that has a cable guide? Is it 18 and the felt, 19, that clamp the column tight? Just about to do this job myself:-) Laying it all out on the bench to see what goes where? Best. Paul Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Hi Paul, spring clip 33 grips the column and sits inside 30 and 31. This reduces any attempt to pull the column out. The spring clip is important Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Dave I would also go back and have serious words with the garage. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
TR4A1965 Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Thanks Roger:-) That is clear. Best. Paul. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted November 17, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 I went back to the garage this morning and they deny messing with the outer column, although they had worked on the top "doughnut" of the inner column (i.e replaced it). I suspect they moved the outer and jammed it against the first clamp/bracket of the inner and this moved it, because it was not securely clamped anyway. I had another look myself and as far as I can see there is no spring in place. I can see one is listed in both Moss and Rimmers for a 4A, but not in the WSM that I have, just felt. As a temp measure I put in some padding and clamped it up tight which has done the job for now. I'll order a spring, and some new bushes while I am at it But the good news is:--- It passed the Manx Vehicle test later on this morning, so I can now drive it legally! HURRAH! Needs a new reg number though. Have to get a Manx based one. Thanks for all your help, as usual. Cheers Dave Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tim hunt Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Interesting Roger, there really is something new to learn every day in the wonderful world of TR. I have had my upper clamp apart several times over 45 years but never recall seeing this spring. I use pieces of old inner tube to pack out the space between outer column and clamps and have never had a problem with my column moving as Dave described. Tim Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Hi Tim, it is not really a spring. It is made from spring steel and looks like a very thin dodgy horse shoe. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
harrytr5 Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 As Roger has explained item no 33/part number 609639 is a sprung clamp and must be put back. If they changed the donut could they have left the clamp loose item 58/ part number 122669 (clamp) Which is mated to item 59/part number125782 tapped plate. This is important to clamp right or the inner will keep turning and no steering or partial. With all that sorted and the felts in place the outer column will be clamped securely. Regards Harry. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
peejay4A Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 If the outer isn't clamped properly it won't stop the inner from turning. It doesn't react against the outer. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 (edited) Hi Dave, my grey cell has been turning over about this problem. Obviously if the outer clamps are loose then the outer tube could turn (rotate with the steering wheel) if the inner bushes were reasonably well fitting. If the forward collapsible steering clamp (59) is loose then there may be some fore/aft movement in the steering wheel. If the splinned clamps next to the rubber doughnuts are loose (and they may well be, especially the forward one) then there could be fore/aft movement in the steering wheel.. If the doughnuts have been played with check that the four bolts are wire locked and the electrical link is there for the horn. I would check all the parts before next driving. Roger Edited November 17, 2015 by RogerH Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Loose splined clamps or loose collapsible steering clamp won't allow the outer column to turn though. Surely the problem must be with parts 30/31/32/33. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 17, 2015 Report Share Posted November 17, 2015 Hi Pete, quite right I was simply going through all the things on the steering column that will allow movement anywhere. It would appear that I've left a couple of words out of the post. Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John Morrison Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 (edited) Nope, to split the column, they will have 'Cracked' 58 to 60. Suspect they have reassembled this without aligning the flat with the cutaway 100%, hence clamp is only tight on the outer. John. Edited November 18, 2015 by john Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Thanks everyone. I had another good poke around and went for a good drive this morning, and the outer is not moving after I padded it out yesterday. Its back in the garage now and I will check all the components from the steering rack up to the horn. The missing spring has been ordered too. Dave ==== Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RogerH Posted November 18, 2015 Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Hi Dave, have fun fitting the spring clip Roger Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted November 18, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 18, 2015 Roger I fully expect that it will be a doddle to fit. A two-minute job, perfectly done. Like all other TR4 jobs I have tackled.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dpb Posted April 18, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 18, 2016 Finally got around to fitting the spring clip (seats already out after fitting new gearbox tunnel). It was, as expected, a 10 minute doddle of a job that turned into one and a half hours. Sore neck, cut finger, kept going dizzy lying upside down. Now though - job done! Feeling good! Console secure! Next ----- make the surrey back-light line up properly. Another 10 minute doddle coming up. Dave ==== Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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