Adjustable steering wheel installation

[Perry]

When I bought my 3000 MKII BT7, it was missing the horn/trafficator assembly and had a wood rim steering wheel with just a metal clip holding it on the column. I have since bought and restored an original wheel, as well as the horn/trafficator assembly with wiring harness, and the spring cover with top and bottom covers. Now I can't figure out how the ****ed thing goes together.
The wheel is a very tight fit on the column.
The shop manual just indicates that the spring,etc goes first,but I can't figure out how it all fits together. Can someone walk me through it?
I think I know what to do with the horn/trafficator, but the wheel has me stumped.

 

[Johnny]

I'll give it a go, as they say. First make sure you have a steering column for an adjustable wheel. They are longer. There should be a cup to hold the chrome spring in place on both ends. The smaller cup on the bottom. There is a circlip holding the wheel on the column this has to be removed of course before installing the wheel. On my car the wheel went on quite easily without much effort, snug, but easily. Then all the trafficator parts. Don't forget to loosen the grub screws (3) on the wheel before fitting the trafficator. It might facilitate fitting the wheel if you remove the clamp holding the wheel under the dash. Good luck.

 

[John Loftus]

Perry,

You might just have the locking collar/clamp too tight. Loosen it all the way by turning counterclockwise (looking at the steering wheel from the back)and grease up the splines inside the wheel and on the steering shaft. The telescopic spring and cups goes on first (check out the Moss catalog for the exploded view which shows the two different wheel types to make sure you have all the right parts). Then just slide the steering wheel/locking collar assembly on, attach the circlip and tighten the collar.

Let me suggest not to install the trafficator until you adjust the center spoke of the wheel to the 12 o'clock position. This is best done on a straight stretch of road where you can safely pull over. With the circlip removed but the collar tight you can drive to see if the center spoke is at 12 o'clock. If it is offcenter, you pull over, loosen the collar, slide the wheel off, rotate accordingly and slide it back on and tighten the collar firmly. Then road test again. Once you are satisfied with the alignment you can then install the circlip and trafficator.

Cheers,
John

 

[CDK]

To also help assist setting the wheel straight check and or set your toe first. Then set your wheel.
I am glad I read these posts as I just noticed I do not have all the pieces on mine ( from when I got it)
CDK

[ 03-08-2004: Message edited by: CDK ]</p>

 

[Perry]

Thanks for the help. I'll give it a try this weekend.