Wobbly Steering Column

[ouiseyg]

On my 87 350i the steering wheel column seems to wobble as I drive on certain roads. The wobble appears to come from the two brackets that the wheel hangs from under the dash. I have tightened where it bols to under the dash and made sure the adjusting pinch bolt is tight but if you grab the wheel and shake it there is still flex from the brackets. Is this just a crap design or is there an easy fix????

[paul gotts]

possibly play in the bulkhead bush / bearing that the column passes through?

[ouiseyg]

Know what your saying but it seems that the movement is in the top mount not at the bottom. I will check as it might stop the whole column moving, which might be exagerated by the length of the column causing major movement by the time it reaches the wheel...???

[wedg1e]

To be fair, it is a crap design. It's kind of overhung from a bracket two feet from the wheel.
The Esprit column is as solid as a rock, so it's nothing to do with it being GRP.

[ouiseyg]

Yeah not the best!! Has anyone found an easy way to stiffen it up (ooh!!).

[chassis 33]

ouiseyg said:

Yeah not the best!! Has anyone found an easy way to stiffen it up (ooh!!).

When i had evrything stripped out of my 280 i welded a pair of plates to the bits of spagetti that hold everything on, i'll see if i can dig out or take some photos of it.

Failing that i'll do a quick sketch.

Regards
Iain

[mark.t]

Both TVRs i have had have bin the same a 350 and 280 .Unlike whats bin said above i think the glass fibre bulk head has a lot to do with it if u open the bonnet and move the steering wheel up/down side/side u can see the bulhead flexing where the bracket bolts on, in fact the 280 failed an MOT because of this!.I made up a reinforceiong plate and put it in place from the engine bay side {take out bolts first then drill through}Also u need to make sure that top and bottom colum bushes have got no play in them as well as the steering UJs.Not to sure on this but if u had a power steering model u may find things a lot better, my Lotus {Exel that is } is rock solid just like someone has said.
Also by the very nature of the hard suspension u get alot of kickback which doesnt help matters ,Sumthin else u dont get with dare it again a Lotus!!

[chassis 33]

Whats this "LOTUS" acronym we keep hearing???

<b>L</b>ots <b>O</b>f <b>T</b>rouble, <b>U</b>sually <b>S</b>erious???

Anyone care to explain?

Regards
Iain

[wedg1e]

chassis 33 said:

Whats this "LOTUS" acronym we keep hearing??? <b>L</b>ots <b>O</b>f <b>T</b>rouble, <b>U</b>sually <b>S</b>erious??? Anyone care to explain? Regards Iain

Maybe we should explain how to use the BOLD wassnames...

[Redcar]

ouiseyg said:

Yeah not the best!! Has anyone found an easy way to stiffen it up (ooh!!).

Viagra :

[patrick]

chassis 33 said:

Whats this "LOTUS" acronym we keep hearing??? Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious??? Anyone care to explain? Regards Iain

Not forgetting TVR's -- Tow Veichle Ready

If ya can't laugh at yerself...etc...

[ouiseyg]

Well at least Im not alone with my wobbly shaft. A little job for the winter me thinks. I will just have to choose my roads carefully, looking for smooth ones! HA................

[chassis 33]

wedg1e said:

chassis 33 said: Whats this "LOTUS" acronym we keep hearing??? Lots Of Trouble, Usually Serious??? Anyone care to explain? Regards Iain Maybe we should explain how to use the BOLD wassnames...

BUGGER theres me trying to be clever and slip up on my own banana......it works like that in HTML...

>> Edited by chassis 33 on Wednesday 25th May 16:28