Steve,
The only way to remove the steering column cover halves, without breaking
something, is to, at least partially, remove the steering column. You must
first (after disconnecting the battery, of course) remove the steering
column pinch bolt, from the steering rack shaft stub coupling. You'll also
have to spread the coupling open a bit, to release it from the steering rack
stub splines. Next, remove the three bolts that hold the steering column
mounting flange to the firewall/toeboard (accessed from the engine
compartment). I replace them with long (5"-6") "slave" bolts, which will
make life easier when you put it back together. Next, remove the three
bolts that hold the column to the underside of the dash, keeping the spacer
washers marked/tagged/arranged so that you reinstall them in the same
position they were originally in. Unplug the turn signal/high-low beam
switch and w/s wiper switch connectors, sit in the seat and give the column
a good jerk. It'll slide out until the slave bolts stop it. You will then
have full access to the #2 Phillips head screws that hold the column cover
halves together/to the steering column.
Yes, it's a pain in the ass. However, if you don't want to risk busting
those covers, ya gotta do it. The good news is: the more times you do it,
the easier/faster you get it done (don't ask me how I learned this).
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From owner-spridgets at autox.team.net
[mailto:owner-spridgets@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of Steven Michelsen
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 10:17 AM
To: spridgets@autox.team.net
Subject: removing the cowl from a '78 Midget steering column
I am faced with having to replace or repair the ignition switch on my '78
Midget. I intend to pull the assembly off the steering column and either
bring it to a locksmith to replace the cylinder, or have Moss send me a new
assembly for $159 (yuck). In any event, Haynes (p226) says that step 1 is
removing the steering column entirely. Is this really necessary? I see
that with the everything else in place, to remove just the cowling, it would
have to be bent into a shape that it may not want to go into. Has anyone
done this task, and if so, how?
Thanks,
Steve
immobile 78 Midget
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