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Lower Steering Column TR3a


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My TR3A has a conversion to Rack and pinion steering. The steering column consists of an upper column with the steering wheel at one end. The other end is connected to a universal joint which is connected to the lower column which is connected to the rack by another universal joint. There is play between the upper universal joint and the lower lower column.

 

I need to replace this upper universal joint and lower steering column but I can only find them as part of the complete rack and pinion conversion kit.

 

Couple of questions. Does anyone know where I can purchase just the universal joint and lower steering column. (Do them come from another car?)

 

I find it odd that there is play on a splined joint. I would have thought there would either be no play or the whole join would fail

 

Thanks in anticipation.

 

Alan

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Good morning Alan,

 

I had the same problem and ended up stripping the steering rack before I identified the cause! The cast UJ is a very solid bit of kit and a slightly loose fit. The pinch bolt was simply not man enough to squeeze it tightly on to the splines. Eventually I reamed out the UJ and the groove in the column to take a bigger bolt - not easy as the column is very hard. At the same time I replaced the solid shaft with a thick-walled tube so I could get a wire down to the horns.

 

The easy answer would be to change the UJ for a folded metal one - as per the TR7 - which will pinch up tight and cure that rather disconcerting play but I didn't think of that in time.

 

Good luck,

 

Willie

Edited by Willie Felger
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I have a rack conversion on my 3a and had the same problem, the splines came loose at the steering rack end. I used a high strength bolt wound it up really tight and used Loctite 270 in the joint. So far it seems to have stayed tight but I check it regularly.

 

Rgds Ian

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I'm not a sidescreen person but is this a manifestation of the problem with column UJs experienced on the wind up window cars where the split that is supposed to close up doesn't? RogerH came up wit a solution.

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Ford Escort BDA column UJ`s are used as a substitute on 4/5/6`s instead of the rubber donuts successfully.

Stuart.

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