TR6 Just Another TR6 Column Question

I'm into week 2 of the "easy job" of restoring my TR6 steering column. All of my initial vertical looseness in the column was caused by the failure of the forward mounting platform. Using the Moss recommendation, I constructed a simple mount using angle iron and a "U" clamp to replace this mount. I thought the reassembly would be an easy job but once again ran into a few problems. Not only does the forward clamp secure the column to the firewall but it also connects the aft clamp (near the dash) to the forward mount. Due to the angles designed into the firewall, the forward clamp is difficult to align with the column. This makes the installation of the dual tie strap between the two mounts very difficult.

My question (and hopefully my last one) is: What does this tie strap really do? Is it necessary to tie the column between the front and rear? Would it be safe to leave this part off the assembly? I know some of you guys have done this job before and know what I'm talking about. If you have any advice, I would be receptive. Thanks again. Once I see a little success in this job, I'll be buying the beer. I'll post a picture I downloaded of the part in question.

Don

Hi Don I know this was a old post but I have the same exact issue and question. How did you get all this line up correctly? Did you end up removing that bracket???

Hi. I just saw your message earlier today but had to look at my photo files as well as under the dash to refresh my memory of this project. In my case, my steering column had excessive vertical movement caused by the cracking of a poorly designed sheetmetal mounting platform under the dash that supported the column as it exited the engine and entered under the dash. I fabricated a new bracket from stock angle iron. I had to elongate the holes in order to get two mounting bolts through it. I don't know what those straps that run the length of the column to the ignition switch were designed to do other than create a mount for the ignition assembly. I'm thinking they may have something to do with collision impact. But to answer your question and from my memory, I had to file the mounting holes in order to insert new bolts necessary for mounting in place at the place of failure. I wish I had a simpler answer for you but you may have to do the same. Under these dash panels it is pretty congested and nobody will ever see a fabricated bracket. Good luck with your project. Hope you get this resolved. Let me know if I misunderstood your question.
Don

Thanks Don that is incredibly helpful!!! I also fabricated a new bracket using sheet metal. Now I’m thinking elongating the holes in my new bracket would work too. Would you be comfortable sharing a photo of your bracket? I might abandon what I have and use something closer to what you did.

I looked everywhere for photos of this bracket and came up empty. I had downloaded a couple of photos from other owners who tried various fixes. Most of these were too crude for me. One in particular showed an external bracket bolted to the engine side that extended to the left side foot box. That idea probably worked and was easy but looked way out of place in the engine bay. My bracket was made from steel stock that was prebent 90 degrees. I simply cut a small piece off with a hacksaw and bolted the upright portion to the firewall using two stainless steel bolts. The 90 degree portion then became my new platform for a "U" bolt that secured the column to the firewall. And yep, the holes required a little filing to get the bolts of the U clamp to work. It tightened up well enough to provide a solid feel for the steering column. This method is the same method offered by Moss as a fix to a poor factory design. I guess the factory never expected us to be maintaining these things 50 years after manufacture. I am sorry I did not take any photos. Working in that very small place can be extremely frustrating and I was glad to simply finish the fix. Hope some of this helps. Hang in there.