Steering column bush

[biomed32uk]

Just had a look at changing the felt bush on my steering column, always feels odd the wheel moving around.

However the new one is about a mm thinner then the one coming out, so it felt sloppy before and now with the new one its even worse.

Sub standard parts again ?, how they manage to mess a piece of felt up is anyones guess.

[chesney]

Consider fitting the Mini plastic bush in place of the felt bush. These should be of better quality, have less play, and greater longevity.

[bmcecosse]

As above - the Mini bush is the standard replacement.

[taupe]

A good bodge that has worked for me in the past is to turn the old felt bush inside out and work in plenty of grease then simply refit. This seems to rejuvenate the felt bush for a few years...

Taupe

[bmcecosse]

Absolutely - I'm sure it will be fine -not a 'bodge' at all !

[Trickydicky]

The manual recommends either soaking the new bush in EP90 or somehow getting some EP90 into the old one, it makes it the felt swell up.

[philthehill]

If you are finding that the felt bush swells up then fit the bush dry and then lubricate with EP90. Tie a bit of rag around the steering column below the outer felt holder to catch any run off.
The oil will work its way through the felt and any excess will drain off through the bottom of the felt - hence the rag.
It works for me.

[biomed32uk]

Well I left the new felt soaking in oil over night and it's not swollen up that much, probably needs two of them in there to stand a chance using the felt.

Is the mini type bush split to get it over the horn slip ring?, I presume it fits from the top.

[aupickup]

hi i have a complete mini column but it would be collection only where abouts are you

[biomed32uk]

I'm up on the Essex Sunshine coast as its called, thanks for the offer though.

I've ordered another felt as I needed a couple more bits, of great concern was the fact that someone had not bothered to put the pinch bolt in, securing the column to the rack. Thank god the splines were tight and have remained so. Thought I had dealt with all of the missing bolts, nut and locking devices long ago, being right down by the floor never spotted that one.

If this felt does not cure it then a mini bush is going in as suggested, I can see how the slip ring comes off. Took the opportunity to paint the column up, another bit refurbished. My engine rebuild has grown in to quite a list of jobs over the winter.

At the moment she looks like a self assembly kit Minor.

[bmcecosse]

That pinch bolt is essential - lucky escape there! It's not just 'any old' bolt - it need to be a high tensile bolt - in fact an Allen bolt is ideal...

[biomed32uk]

You're right there BMC, to me that has a serious impact on my life and that of other road users. What sort of idiot leaves that off I am not sure, but its irresponsible to the highest degree. I never spotted it despite going over the car. I had all the wheels off and checked brakes and suspension but never thought of looking there, I don't expect to make sure the steering column is attached properly. Fortunately it was tight on the splines as there was no play in the steering at all, and it had stayed that way.

Someone has been looking over me there I think.

Had that have come off at 60mph things would have got very interesting, don't want to think of what would have happened.

Pinch bolt ordered from esm which as you say I expect to be a HT type.

[bmcecosse]

It did happen to a Mini owning friend - many years ago now - extremely scary....

[biomed32uk]

Indeed, and I thought that the gear lever of a Morris Marina coming clean off in my hand was awkward while negotiating a junction.

[aupickup]

perhaps the newer felts are thinner
i put aa new one in last year tho the felt was bought about 5 years ago ans it was nice and thick and a pig to get in

[biomed32uk]

New felt from ESM fitted, much thicker even when dry. Soaked it in oil, and fitted.

Not too bad to get in but then the whole column was out of the car.

Column refitted to the car, the play has gone and a nice new pinch bolt now. Another job done.

[taupe]

good result!