bj7 adjustable steering column

[maxwedge5281]

redoing the dash in my bj7 and have a question regarding the steering column with an adjustable steering wheel? does the column use the chrome/stainless prewound spring looking apparatus? not sure what parts are used right below the steering wheel adjustable adaptor. also, should the trafficator assembly move up and down easily in the precut slot of the stator tube? any help is appreciated. my car did not have the correct steering wheel assembly and i am converting back to the correct assembly with an aftermarket steering wheel. thanks for any help.

 

[HealeyRick]

The chrome spring is used on the BJ7 with adjustable column. The trafficator tube needs to slide easily in the stator tube so the steering wheel can be adjusted inwards and outwards.

 

[maxwedge5281]

thanks rick. does the chrome ring sit between the bottom support and the top retainer rings. i suppose that you coil the spring to the necessary circumference top and bottom to fit the two end pieces. does the larger chrome piece that slides over the steering column keep the spring a proper circumference? thanks and i will be using your diy to recover my dash once i get my gauges.....hopefully tomorrow! thanks for all your help.

 

[HealeyRick]

Good luck with the dash. Have you driven this car yet? How did it go?

 

[maxwedge5281]

thanks rick. i have driven the car just a bit. everything seems roadworthy but have not gotten out on any real mileage runs. i hope that cooling is not too much of an issue but ill have to see. thanks for the diagram.

 

[maxwedge5281]

the problem was with the dust cover chrome spring. it had been distorted and was much larger than the bottom support as well as much larger than the top retainer. after considerable time and patience i was able to reconfigure the spring to a much smaller circumference such that it sits on top of the bottom support and inside the top retainer. dont know how the spring cover got so misshaped..

 

[maxwedge5281]

how much of the stator tube extends beyond the steering box? nevermind...i did a search and found a picture showing maybe a quarter inch beyond the compression nut???

 

[Bob_Spidell]

how much of the stator tube extends beyond the steering box? nevermind...i did a search and found a picture showing maybe a quarter inch beyond the compression nut???

I think this could vary (given what I know about aftermarket parts). I'd get everything installed properly at the steering wheel/hub end, then clamp it with the nut and olive at the steering box wherever it came out.

 

[maxwedge5281]

what is the purpose of the three set scres in the steering wheel hub. they are tapered and seem to engage the trafficator. but being tapered they slide to the side of the trafficator internal ring??? it is only a sixteenth thick! i cant imagine that the screws hold the ring in place???

 

[HealeyRick]

i cant imagine that the screws hold the ring in place???

That's what they're supposed to do.

 

[maxwedge5281]

rick should the set screws be tapered? it seems that they should not be tapered as the edge of the part that they touch is only a sixteenth thick! thanks again for your help!!

 

[HealeyRick]

It's been a while since I've done this, but my best recollection is they were tapered. Maybe someone with some recent experience can chime in.

 

[British_Recovery]

The taper is there to push against the surface of the plate, keeping it in position.

 

[maxwedge5281]

i hate to bring this subject back up but you guys are experts and always very helpful. the adjustable nut just below the steering wheel will not tighten sufficiently to hold the steering wheel at a set place on the column? is this indicative of a worn out adjustor?? any help or comments appreciated!

 

[GregW]

Several years ago, the adjusting sleeve separated from the nut that tightens the column in place on my wheel. The sleeve would rotate while the nut didn't. Maybe this is your problem? I drilled and tapped set screws into the nut through the sleeve instead of re-welding. Photo here is where the failed welds are.