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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Steering column upper felt bush

I need to replace this item as excessive play in the steering wheel between the inner and outer has cause an MOT fail.( 68 MK111)
I've not done this job before and Haynes is rather vague on the issue.
Has anyone any advice to offer please?
M J Chapman

Soak the felt washer at least overnight, longer if possible, in engine oil before fitting it. It's a bit messy but means the washer will have expanded enough to be a tight fit. IIRC when I did mine I used a small bar to push it down the tube but you may have a long socket which may be suitable.
Someone here may have a better way of fitting and will be along shortly :)
J Tickle

I believe the manual says to use graphite oil...at least that's what my MGB manual said. I got some from Fertan.

It's also used as lock oil.

Dave O'Neill 2

I think later marks used plastic bushes
maybe you might be able to upgrade yours in this way
Cheers
R W Bowers

Well, job done but it took the best part of 2 hours!
Obviously, Mr Haynes hasn't done this job himself when he talks about just "prise out" the old bush.
Eventually working round the bush with a suitable pointed tool, you comes across the join which you can pick out fairly easily.More gentle prising and you can ease out enough of the bush to grip with snipe nosed pliers, then you're on your way pushing and pulling.
Feed the new bush in at the bottom and start pushing it in with a regular screwdriver, continuing with tapping the screwdriver with a a light hammer. Patience is the key, just keep going round and eventually the new bush will be in.
No movement in the steering wheel shaft now !!
M J Chapman

Did you find the new felt bush too long? There has been problems with them in the past and trimming them after giving them a good soaking in oil is not the easiest route. Check first to make sure there is no overlap.
Graeme Williams

No, it was ok. Got it from Moss in Stockport.
M J Chapman

This thread was discussed between 28/09/2016 and 02/10/2016

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