Adjustable steering

[Gordo]

I'm about to ask the second of many TR3 questions I'm sure to have over the next couple years. I'll stop counting after this one.

I have adjustable steering on my car. I was able to free up the sliding collar on the column. The wheel will not move in or out at all. I'm guessing it's rusted. How much adjustment should I be looking for after it frees up?

Gordo

 

[martx-5]

I would say about three inches. Can you un-loosen the tightening ring? Some PB Blaster on the shaft where it slides should loosen things up. The only problem is that the adjustable wheel starts off to close and adjusts WAY TOO CLOSE. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/wall.gif IMHO, I think the adjustable wheel is one of those options that is not a benefit.

 

[Geo Hahn]

Does your control head work okay? (Control head is the wheel center that is the horn button and turn signal which is called a trafficator).

I ask because if it will be needing work you will have the opportunity to take the wheel off and the whole works apart and then everything should free up. Otherwise, as noted some PBlaster is worth a try.

 

[Gordo]

Actually, I'm not sure if anything works on this car. It's a barn find and a real rats nest. I'm going through each system as I strip it down to see what is going to require work, which is at this point everything!!!

Gordo

 

[MGTF1250Dave]

Aloha Gordo,

As Art noted, there isn't much adjustment and it is also close and too close for most people.

The control head is suppose to slide in and out of the stator tube inside the steering column, so it may have some corrosion holding the pieces together. At the front on the steering box there should be a short length of tubing extending out and a few wires coming out of the tube. There is a nut holding a compression "olive" to seal the outside of the stator tube and the steering box. This is to keep the oil in the steering box from leaking. Loosening the nut a little may allow you to move the steering wheel in and out. There should also be a cir-clip to prevent you from pulling the steering wheel off the steering column.

Here is a link that will get you to an excellent article by Clive Elsdon on the inner workings and hidden mechanisms of the control head.

https://www.britishcarlinks.com/technical_articles_page.htm

Part way down the page, under interior you will see an article entitled "TR2 and TR3 Control Head Disassembly". Click on that and you find an informative article illustrated with photos. I recommend at least reviewing before you take the control head apart. At the least you will know how many little pieces your looking for when they spring out (voice of experience).