Bud, thanks for the clear description for removing the steering column
below. After it became apparent that I could not really do the job without
pulling the steering column, your layout of the steps helped a lot.
However, there was no need to loosen the pinch bolt down by the steering
rack - the bottom end of the column did not come away with the rest when I
removed it. I trust that was OK, yes??
Ed at justbrits advised me to use a dremel to cut slots into the tops of the
shear bolts on the lock and switch assembly to unscrew them. Worked great.
I am getting a whole new assembly from him - I decided I don't need
uninformed locksmiths poking at the old one and bodging it up! Rather a
nice neat bolt-on job, with two NEW keys!
Here is an unrelated question. Months ago I managed to bust off the
windshield wiper control arm while pushing the Midget around the garage
(duh!). It broke away about 40% of the plastic that the arm was set into.
There is a green-with-black-stripe wire coming out of the end of the arm,
and a black wire with a bare end hanging loose. The question is, where did
the black wire go? I am guessing it was wrapped around the metal end of the
arm that was embedded in the plastic - is this correct? It appears it would
then create a circuit when the button on the end of the arm was pushed. I
plan to reset the arm in place and use JB Weld to build up around the
broken-off 40%. Any opinions on that plan? It would be nice to get it done
while the steering column is on the ground.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From "Bud Osbourne" <abcoz at hky.com>
To: "Steven Michelsen" <stevenm@optonline.net>; <spridgets@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2003 10:55 AM
Subject: RE: removing the cowl from a '78 Midget steering column
> 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@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
/// unsubscribe/change address requests to majordomo@autox.team.net or try
/// http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo
/// Archives at http://www.team.net/archive
|