steering column

[French Frie]

Hi all,
   
   does anybody have pictures of the hexa column, and especially from the adjustable mechanism (the one with a paddle that you push or pull) ? mine is a bit loose...
   
   I understand that the mechanism can be tighten, but I also want to know if the upper part can be replaced by a non-adjustable one, that can also be fixed a bit higher (as my new 15" wheel fouls legs) and maybe a VW-type switch fitted on it ... has anybody done that ?
   
   I'm also making a spacer, in order to adapt the six bolts (but narrower) Moto-lita OEM cobra wheel to the 6 bolts hub... pictures to come !

[French Frie]

here are some pics from the stock wheel and the wood one (respectively 13" and 15")...
   
   
   
   and the holes drilling difference between them :
   
   
   
   
   
   and, last, the OEM hub for Hexa column (with Ford logo):
   
   
   
   and side by side, with the hub that Superarnie MK2 kindly sent to me :
   
   
   
   BTW, as it finally won't be useful to me, as the pattern is the same, I offer it to any ACOC member that would need it, in the same way Gary did for me [] ...

[westcott]

The holes in the original steering wheel are paired, the 2 holes in every spoke have different spacing then the 3 pairs have to each other. The Ford boss has 6 equal spacings.
   
   You need a new boss, made for your column and wheel. If you send your different interface informations to Moto Lita or to Europaspares the will do a boss for  your needs. Or have a good machine shop near you make one.
   
   Westcott

[westcott]

I could organize pics in middle of January but here You may find some basic infos online.
   http://www.fordmanuals.org/page-1617.html
   
   Westcott

[French Frie]

Hi Uwe,
   
   thanks for the infos ... In fact, as already said, I 'm making a spacer (about 10mm thick) between my Ford Hub and the wheel, that will have both drilling, in order to matchthe hub on one side, and the wheel on the other side...so it should be ok ! but I must say that I'm not a big fan of the adjustable column, so I'd prefer to throw it to bin and put a  fixed half upper column...

[westcott]

Organize yourself a Ford steering column from a junk yard, remove all the bits you dont like and remove the adjustment funktion. You are able to drive the car until changing the parts and you have the original column as a spare in case of rebuilding to original specs.
   
    If You want to change to MK II (MK III) dash you have o replace the boss anyway by a new smaller diameter boss fitting the beetle indicator switch housing diameter.

[Superarnie Mk2]

French Frie,
   Is this picture any help to you?
   
   
   
   regards
   Gary

[French Frie]

Hi Gary,
   
   thanks for the pic... I re-tightened the couple 46-53 in order to tighten the column and prevent it to move ... the point is that is seems harder when the paddle is half way than when it is totally pushed... I assume it's a kind of eccentric part (# 7&8 ?), and maybe it's not correctly aligned ?
   
   by any chance, does someone know what is the column diameter and how many splines it has, and if the same Ford column exists without the adjustment system ?
   
   thanks !

[Superarnie Mk2]

Olivier,
   
   If the paddle is tightening the column height mechanism when pulled half way and then is loose when fully pulled back, I would suspect part numbers 5 and 7 are warn. The paddle has a cam profile on the inboard side of it. The cam has 4 ramps which lock into 4 rams on part 7. If either part is warn, I suspect they will slip on each other. It may fix the problem if you replace them. Also note, that because there are 4 rams the column should be fully locked at a quarter rotation of the paddle!How much are you rotating the paddle?

[French Frie]

Hi,
   
   Now the steering wheel is on the car [] !
   
   As already said, a friend of mine made an adaptor in ally, following my drawings... 10mm thick, with the ford pattern to adapt to the boss, and the six-bolts moto-lita Cobra pattern to accept the wheel ... Here's the part :
   
   
   It fits perfectly on both parts , and as it is polished on its side, it seems to be a part of the wheel ... Pictures of the wheel in the car will follow tomorrow [] !

[French Frie]

here's the picture :
   
   
   
   what an improvement ! I've always appreciated large wheel with thin circle, but it really transforms the whole MKIV interior ! I'm confident that Jim (the PO) will second me about that... Right, Jim [] ?

[jbottini]

FF......looks very nice...well done!! Jim

[French Frie]

thx, Jim ... and as you can see, it has done more mileage in three winter months than its annual average mileage since its birthday [}:)] !

[cobham cobra]

Yes it’s a nice piece of work and looks very good.
   But your photo has reminded me about the toggle switches for the lights. I’ve trying to find replacements for the last couple of years. My headlight and interior light switches have faded due to sun damage and I have been unable to identify their origin. I’ve even removed one of the switches and taken it to auto-jumbles such as Beaulieu and I’ve taken it to specialists for Ford, Jaguar, MG, Triumph etc. Anyone got any suggestions ?
   Cheers – John.

[French Frie]

no problem for the hijack, John... I'm interested in finding some too [] !
   
   oh... I forgot to mention that I also have to fit a Lucas "starter-type" switch to use the horn again, as the AC center is not useable anymore !