Bugeye steering column grommet?

[Trevor Jessie]

I'm clueless, and I know someone here can help me out. How does the bugeye steering column seal to the firewall? Is there a grommet? Or am I missing a flange/clamp of some sort? If anyone can describe this or tell me what parts I need I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

I guess it is also the same on early midgets?

I can not tell from the parts catalog how it is done. I think I might be missing something.

 

[fabmandan]

I'm not sure on the Bugeye, but on my MKII the bellows looking part in the Moss catalog, part #280-880 is on the column where it meets the toe board inside the car. The picture in the catalog makes it look like it's over the coupler, but it isn't.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

How does it attach to the toeboard?

There is no "coupler" on my steering column.

 

[fabmandan]

It's like a grommet. There's a groove in it that goes through the floor around the column.

 

[jlaird]

Aye. Is a rubber grommet on Bugeyes.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

OK, Thanks.

I went digging through my parts that I ordered way back (before the sprite got crushed). I have that accordian looking thing (280-880). But the hole in the toeboard appears too small.

I need to do some measuring.

 

[jlaird]

Accordian?? Noop. That is the one that covers the connection to the rack 280-880 on later models. The one that goes through the toe board is just a gromet with a hole in it.

I see the blanking one 282-960 but not the other. No clue what happened to that one, ask Moss tech. I know I got one from them.

 

[Bugeye_Al]

The one I purchased and the one that came off my parts car (assuming original) looked like the accordian one. I haven't done any checking to see which one was "right". Had a devil of a time getting that sucker in there and I'm not sure if it truly is in there right yet.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

OK, so Jack, you say it is supposed to be an ordinary grommet. I do not care what is correct, but I want something that will work well. Maybe I should enlarge the hole so that I can use the accordion shaped thing.

 

[jlaird]

How about a grommet from Ace hardware and you cut the hole?

 

[Trevor Jessie]

But with a grommet (if it is tight enough to seal) wouldn't it add stiffness to the steering?

 

[Jim_Gruber]

Not when the steering shaft is contained within the steering column. This is a steering column to firewall seal.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

On my car the hole that goes through the toe board is small than the column. Only the shaft fits through the hole. So a grommet would have to seal on the shaft. However, the accordion thing would work (I just need to cut the hole bigger).

 

[Whitephrog]

Guys

I don't believe there is a grommet as it passes through the firewall. Nothing shown in the Sprite Service Parts List, nothing in Moss or AH Spares catalogue either.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

So Ray, Just the accordion thing?

 

[jlaird]

Ok, heading to the garage.

 

[jlaird]

Oh me Trevor, I am so sorry. It is an accordion thing. The accordion part goes on the inside.

Of course it seals the outer tube that the stearing shaft goes in at the firewall.

Again, sorry.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

OK. So now I need to try and find one that is the correct size. I guess I should call Moss.

 

[jlaird]

I know darn well mine came from Moss but I just don't see it in the catalog.