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Spitfire 77 Spitfire Horn/Headlight Stalk Conflict

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Flatlander

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I have a 77 Spitfire. Prior to buying I believe the previous owner installed a new horn/headlight bright light stalk that fits on the left side of the steering column. (Found the box for the new part in the trunk.) However something is wrong. In the "normal" setting (bright lights not activated.) the stalk is only about 1/2 inch from the rear of the steering wheel and interfers with operation of the steering wheel. It appears that stalk needs to be bent back or the steering wheel needs to flow away (bend) away from the stalk such that there is more room. My initial thought was that the previous owner had replaced the steering wheel with an earlier one but the mounting point on the steering column looks to be consistent with the wheel. The steering wheel is held to the column by a large bolt and the wheel is registered to the column by a square insert rather than the splined connection I am used to seeing. Do the 77 steering wheels match the 78-80 wheels? (Can't find any references to check.)

Has anyone else come across this problem?

Thanks,

Gary
 
While not Spitfire 1500 specific, two things changed can bring a column switch lever closer to the steering wheel's rim - decreasing steering wheel dish and steering wheel diameter. The changes are often made to increase leg and stomach clearance.
Looking at Rimmer Brothers site (both early 1500 and late 1500), steering shafts have splines - so not sure what you're seeing with your wheel.
https://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID005793
https://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/Item--i-GRID005790

Putting a bend to the stalk for additional clearance shouldn't be to much of a deal. Place an adjustable wrench with its jaws closed in on the stalk close to the base (this will be the bend spot -making sure you're not putting pressure on the switch internals) then apply pressure to the lever bending it the needed amount.
 
I believe the problem might be in the "dish" of the steering wheel. On my car the steering wheel appears to have no dish in that the spokes and rim of the wheel are in the same plane. Another oddity over other steering wheels I have seen on GT-6 and Spitfires is that the connection from the wheel to the column which transfers the force from the wheel to the column is through a square raised "peg" of 3/4 inches square that fits into a hole on the wheel. The wheel is then held onto the column through a large nut threaded onto the end of the column shaft. On all other GT-6 and Spitfire steering columns I have seen in lieu of this square "peg" the force is transfered between the wheel and column shaft through a splined connection. I cannot see any splines (as in the Rimmer Brothers catalogue cut. Either 1977 was a umique year or this is some sort of aftermarket wheel and adapter (though looks factory to me). Will try to upload photo but have not had any luck doing so in the past.

Thanks,

Gary
 
Flatlander,

I have a flat wheel (no dish) on my 73 and no clearance issues.

Look down by the firewall on the inside of the car. There is a lock nut and set screw that you can loosen and move the wheel up for a little more clearance.
 
Does anyone have a 77 Spitfire with a stock steering wheel? If so I would like to get some photos of the relationship of your steering wheel with the column. If you don't mind contact me at my email address gslien@cox.net and I will send you some photos showing my problem. It seems that 77 was a transitional year for the steering column design and as such there is little information on the parts diagrams so a photo would really help.

Thanks,

Gary
 
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