Anyone familar with the 400se steering column?

[AM400]

Removed the column today to change the column bush, looks like its already had a metal bearing fitted in the bulkhead but the triangular plastic Ford part was well worn!



Anyway, when removing the column I took out the column adjuster bolt and drew the column forward but 2 plastic circular bushes with a groove in them shot out before I had chance to see where they had come from! I think they may fit in the spring mechanism one either side of the column between the ally mounting and the steel mounting bracket. Can anyone confirm how these things fit back together and save me the trial and error.

Cheers
Andy

Edited by AM400 on Wednesday 8th August 22:18

[matt-man]

Sorry andy, the one on my 400 doesnt have the roller bearing but a nylon ford unit.

I just bunged a new column bush (if thats what its called!) in and it never came out...

My dad actually did most of this job as i was doing another part of the car at the time!

sorry matey!

[TVRleigh]

I'll have a look tonight and take some pic's

I know mine was upgraded by the TVR centre when I 1st got it 13 years ago. but not 100% sure what they did.

It may or may not help, but will have a look tonight

[Gandalf]

Andy I have no idea what the answer is but Mike @ Horizon Motorsport in Cradley recently manufactured a new steel version for me as the plastic bits had disintegrated on one side and my steering column was hanging by a thread!!!
I do know that they couldnt find any replacement parts so made new steel ones from scratch and its a whole lot better than it has ever been.

Might be worth a chat if all else fails.

PS Sorry couldnt chat longer at Wedgefest but I was running about like a mad thing - wanted to say how sorry I was you couldnt get the 400 there (yet again) maybe next year eh?

[tempus]

It looks like a belt and braces fix, the plastic bits are a sierra lower bush kit and the bearing is an adaptation,replacing the plastic triangular holed piece with a metal one would be one way to fix it.Tempus

[djc1001]

Yup
The 2 bushes are from either side of the column lock mechanism - small dia fits into the adjustor slot.

The bulkhead bearing looks like mine but there is a spring washer thingy on the column to ensure the plastic bush doesn't work its way out may be worth fitting one.

r's
david

Edited by djc1001 on Thursday 9th August 14:02

[Jack Valiant]

Dunno if it helps but see my recent thread:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Chris

[AM400]

djc1001 said:

Yup
The 2 bushes are from either side of the column lock mechanism - small dia fits into the adjustor slot.

The bulkhead bearing looks like mine but there is a spring washer thingy on the column to ensure the plastic bush doesn't work its way out may be worth fitting one.

r's
david

Edited by djc1001 on Thursday 9th August 14:02

Thanks David,

I take it that the bushes do fit onto the spring either side as well then? I guess thats what the groove is for. I have one of the triangular spring washer thingy's that came with the kit from Ford, I will make sure that I fit it.

Cheers
Andy

[AM400]

matt-man said:

Sorry andy, the one on my 400 doesnt have the roller bearing but a nylon ford unit.

I just bunged a new column bush (if thats what its called!) in and it never came out...

My dad actually did most of this job as i was doing another part of the car at the time!

sorry matey!

No problem Matt, I was listening in on your chat at BBWF, didn't realise until I lifted the carpet that it had the metal bearing fitted. This is the only thing that I have found on the car that someone else has replaced and I have had mine for 9 years now!

Cheers
Andy

[AM400]

Gandalf said:

Andy I have no idea what the answer is but Mike @ Horizon Motorsport in Cradley recently manufactured a new steel version for me as the plastic bits had disintegrated on one side and my steering column was hanging by a thread!!!
I do know that they couldnt find any replacement parts so made new steel ones from scratch and its a whole lot better than it has ever been.

Might be worth a chat if all else fails.

PS Sorry couldnt chat longer at Wedgefest but I was running about like a mad thing - wanted to say how sorry I was you couldnt get the 400 there (yet again) maybe next year eh?

Thanks Steve, I have been to Horizon for a look around but never had any work done by Mike yet, mainly because i'm a skin flint and like to do as much as possible myself! Trust me, it will be there next year, seeing all those Wedges again has given me the kick up the arse that I needed to finish it off completely.

Andy

[AM400]

Well what a pig of a job the column turned out to be, but like everything else on these cars once you find the knack the next time will be easy! just a few finishing touches tomorrow but a quick start up and lock to lock in the garage, no klonks and quite smooth! didnt test it to its limit though, that metal bearing is good for 17,000RPM big test will be on the road, since upgrading all the suspension it has made the car rock hard and the steering shake was worse than ever.

Thanks all for reply's