It's been a while since I've done this, so I hope I get this right...
First of all, you need to completely pull out the bolt that holds the
coupling - just loosening it is not sufficient. I believe that if you
remove the thingy that allows the steering column to telescope, near the
bulkheading in the drivers footwell, the steering column can then be pulled
back. Depending on what model you have, you may need to loosen some of the
brackets holding the column or remove the nacelles. Then you can easily
remove the coupling. I always centered the steering wheel before
disassembly and then recentered it on re-assembly and never had a problem
with it being off center. While you have the coupling out, dismantle it and
get some replacement washers from your local hardware store - worn rubber
may be part of your problem as well as loose bolts. ISTR that mine had a
retaining wire that passed through them to prevent working loose.
Good luck
Greg Rowe
78 Spitfire
>From: "Ron St. John" <st-john@mediaone.net>
>Reply-To: "Ron St. John" <st-john@mediaone.net>
>To: Spitfire Discussion Group <spitfires@autox.team.net>
>Subject: Dangerous steering condition
>Date: Tue, 11 Jul 2000 21:31:16 -0700
>
>Spitlist:
>
>I've noticed the last couple of times out that my steering had a little
>slop in it. This had never happened before but was noticeable. Well
>I'm glad I checked it. The problem is definitely looseness in one or
>two of the 4 bolts that connect the upper steering coupling through the
>disc to the lower steering coupling just above the pinion shaft on the
>steering column. Even though Kenneth Ball doesn't show them in the
>diagrams (one of the pictures does though) the threaded ends of these
>bolts past the disk have holes drilled through them to allow a securing
>clip or wire to be attached for safety. I clearly need to get at these
>bolts and resecure them.
>
>My problem is that this portion of the steering column is a bugger to
>get at in place. My questions are: Do I need to take this coupling
>unit out to do this fix? If so, do I need to loosen the bolts on the
>upper and lower coupling to pull this unit off of the steering column
>and the pinion shaft to get at these bolts? If so, I assume that I will
>need to pull the steering column up into the passenger compartment some
>to do so, correct? How about alignment of the steering wheel after the
>fix?
>
>TIA,
>
>Ron St. John
>
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