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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - steering column bushes

Hi
Ive installed new felt bushes top and bottom but theres still way too much play.
I soaked them for a couple of hours - will soaking them for longer really make that much difference?
Anyway whilst they are soaking some more - is there an alternative? - is it correct that the upper nylon bush from a classic mini can be used? - are there any other off the shelf options that dont involve making something myself? - no lathe etc
Thanks
Stuart

S G Macfarlane

You need one of these:



John Payne

You don’t really need one of those - it gets rid of the steering column shroud.

Maybe an oilite bush can be purchased that will fit in the shroud to replace the felt one? That’s an oilite bush in the one in my photo.
John Payne

thats exactly what i need
However an oilite bearing to fit in the shroud would suffice
I think 7/8 x 1 1/8 x 1 1/2 is the most likely fit
Regards
Stuart
S G Macfarlane

the plastic bush from the later collapsible column may fit? - part # MGP1050B
David Smith

As above, the new upper bush is incredibly loose - about 2mm of column movement in the bush
I mistakenly ordered the wrong lower bush initially - getting the earlier uncaged version instead.
So I tried it in the top - perfect no movement whatsoever and no stiffness
So good in fact I no longer need to try the nylon and oilite versions that are both in the post. I guess ill never know if they were suitable alternatives or not..
Regards
Stuart

S G Macfarlane

Could the part numbers or parts have been transposed, so the bottom was actually the top and visa-versa?
Nigel Atkins

maybe but the top bush for the earlier and later column are the same part number as are the column and shroud themselves, so the thickness of the felt shouldn't vary from top to bottom. The earlier lower bush needed to be trimmed slightly as it protruded 5mm from the shroud. Just the completely wrong part / thickness I think
S G Macfarlane

Has your steering column been changed to a later (collapsible) one which requires plastic ring? The plastic has to be cut to fit it otherwise there is no way it fits over the end of the column. I checked with the supplier - MGB Hive - and that's what they recommended.
Last time I fitted a felt bush to my Mk 3 Sprite it was really tight fit.
I L Cooke

hi
its definitely not the collapsible type, thanks
S G Macfarlane

I had to try the oilite and nylon bushes.
The oilite one is a perfect fit onto the inner column and just slightly undersize into the outer column- which could be easily overcome. However i still think there will be some sort of clunk with this "solid" mounting arrangement - so ive gone with the nylon one for now which fits fine. The felt may have been a little too tight and was backing itself out of the column
S G Macfarlane

This thread was discussed between 28/04/2020 and 04/05/2020

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