steering column felt

Post by **aupickup** » Sun May 28, 2006 6:42 pm

how does the steering column felt fit in, and what is the best way to do it

Post by **Dominic** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:04 pm

Hi Au
When I fitted mine, I carefully pushed it in the gap with a screwdriver blade, and then twisted it to keep the joint together, pushing all the while until it was almost all in. Took ages, sore fingers too! I read after it was fitted that one should soak it in heavy oil first. There was no chance that I was going to haul it out again! So... I dripped oil in gradually until it seemed well soaked. Good luck!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:05 pm

Only ever done this on a Mini - I imagine it's similar - take off steering wheel etc and pull the inner column out the bottom enough to dig out old felt - and fit new. I imagine it should be impregnated with thick oil/grease ?

Post by **aupickup** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:13 pm

thanks guys, not on my iminent list but one that needs doing i guess

any you 2 guys going to the national

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sun May 28, 2006 7:57 pm

Too far for me ! Hope to attend Scottish meet in Peebles.

Post by **Dominic** » Sun May 28, 2006 8:03 pm

I'll be afloat on the Norfolk Broads then.... so not this year. Next year hopefully though!

Post by **Peetee** » Sun May 28, 2006 9:58 pm

Where exactly does this felt fit?

Post by **Onne** » Sun May 28, 2006 10:13 pm

Too far yet again mr Ecosse? We're not that far from Scotland (compared to last year at least!) Or are you somewhere near the arctic circle, with Icelandic neighbours?

No to have criticism, but I do travel a fair distance, and I have no problems, nor has the car!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sun May 28, 2006 11:09 pm

Where exactly does this felt fit?

The steel sleeve that is held to the dash is filled with this 'well packed' felt.

I've done this and from 'experience' I can recommend NOT to over oil them! If the fet is full of oil it will gradually run out down the steering column and onto your clothes/shoes/carpet

Oiling after fitting seemed the best compromise.

It's certainly a job worth doing if your old felt bush is sloppy. It's a much nicer feeling to have a steering column 'held in place'

Post by **Cam** » Mon May 29, 2006 3:29 am

rayofleamington wrote:I've done this and from 'experience' I can recommend NOT to over oil them! If the fet is full of oil it will gradually run out down the steering column and onto your clothes/shoes/carpet

Yes, I've had experience of that too.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 29, 2006 10:06 am

Ahhh - the Mini one has a plastic bush at the top - the felt is only at the bottom of the column. Does no-one do a plastic replacement for the Minor column ?

Post by **millerman** » Mon May 29, 2006 11:39 am

Have just dismantled a '68 minor and it appears that there is a felt bush around the stub coming from the steering rack. Was this fitted to soak up the oil that seems to come from that area of the rack?
Perhaps BM can say why they were fitted on the Mini rack?

Cheers and have a good Bank Holiday!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Mon May 29, 2006 11:48 am

Was this fitted to soak up the oil that seems to come from that area of the rack?

Mainly to stop water / stuff coming in from outside?

Post by **bmcecosse** » Mon May 29, 2006 2:11 pm

No - on the Mini rack that is the wearing part - to stop the column waving about too much. Sometimes I think there was maybe a flat felt washer placed over the splined stub - that was just to catch oil drips from the felt bush above inside the column!