Steering Column Bush - UKC2322

[unicorn]

When I recently did this I used a long 10mm bolt put through a washer then the bush and through the bukhead and finally through a 32mm socket and put the nut on. Simply tightening the nut will pull the bush neatly and squarely into the bulkhead. The 32mm socket was only there for the bush to be pulled into and can use any socket bigger than the bush. I have used this method on various bushes on the car and always works great for me

[kstrutt1]

The bush at the bulkhead where the steering column goes through has disentigrated, I have bought a polyuerethane one to replace it with and am looking for some advice on how to get the column out, the two bolts which hold it at the top are shear bolts and have resisted all my efforts so far(centre punch to knock it round and cut a slot), they also form the breakaway part of the column and seem to have a plastic spacer so welding a nut on seems out.

It struck me if I undid the clamp 2/3 way down which locks the inner and outer column I could slide one inside the other ( this already came loose a couple of years ago so no qualms about disturbing it) has any one done this or any other bright ideas?

[saabfast]

That is the normal way. Release the clamp bolts on the shaft with the UJ to the rack and remove the shaft. Slacken the pinch bolt through the shaft inside the car just above where it goes through the firewall and slide up. Fit the new bush (can be fun, search for methods) and reverse procedure to rebuild.

[FI Spyder]

I had no problems cutting a slot in the bolt head with Dremel and cutting disc and removing with large screwdriver. If hitting it on the slot edge with punch or cold chisel and hammer doesn't loosen it try some penetrating oil in the threads.

[kstrutt1]

Thanks, hopefully I will get it done one evening, got to get my wife's mx5 through it's mot first though.

Kevin

[kstrutt1]

Fitted the bush in my lunch hour today, it took about 30 minutes, after a few minutes trying I concluded there was no way the polly bush was going in so I trimmed about half the depth off the lip, even then it requied a bit of levering to get in. Seems to work fine, you can feel a little more friction but this is already begining to free up with use. Also my feet are a lot cooler, no large hole 3 inches from the exhaust anymore!

Kevin