Adjustable Steering Column Won't Lock

[60BN7]

A few years ago we pulled the trafficator out for a rebuild. Upon putting everything back together, we forgot to put the dust cover assembly back in place. So we left it for a few seasons. We also seemed to have put things back improperly, as the wheel would no longer lock. Time to get it right. Can someone please provide a step by step detailed description of how to put things back together from the back dust cover support forward? As obvious at it seems to us (at least to me), we aren't getting something right. Thanks

 

[steveg]

With and without the dust cover, all I've ever been able to do is get it somewhat tight before it shifts. I think you'd have to put a pipe wrench on it to get it to lock.

 

[British_Recovery]

Rubber strap wrench works pretty well.

 

[DerekJ]

Are you turning it the right way? When you are sitting in the seat with the wheel in front of you, it locks in a counterclockwise direction.

 

[60BN7]

Yes I'm turning it the correct way. The wheel still floats freely in and out when the lock ring is fully tightened. I'm clearly missing something here.

 

[Patrick67BJ8]

Yes I'm turning it the correct way. The wheel still floats freely in and out when the lock ring is fully tightened. I'm clearly missing something here.

A guy in our club said he used a shim to make the Wheel able to tighten.

 

[bob hughes]

Well my fix for tightening up the Adjustable steering wheel are two fold -
1) if the steering wheel can wobble when you grip it top and bottom and push and pull then you install a 22mm olive from your plumbing kit, it may need a little fettling to get it in over the splines and into the wheel, just push it down - works a treat. 2) Then if you need to tighten the big nut so it grips - Use PTFE tape over the base of the steering wheel and then tighten up - worked for me.



Bob

 

[Keoke]

I had this problem and as I remember all I did was use a hack saw blade to widen the gag between the fingers of the splined part and then it would grip the the steering rod when hand tightened,Just a memory??

 

[60BN7]

Might try giving that a go. Will let you know where I net out. Stay tuned.

 

[60BN7]

Turns out there was wear either on the inner locking ring and/or the splines - so they could no longer engage to tighten. Made an aluminum shim to sit between the locking ring and the tapered splines. Works perfectly. Will post some pictures of what we used and how we made it in the next little bit. Thanks for all the suggestions.