Fitting steering column

[1646958]

Hi Guys,

Anybody got experience on fitting a steering assembly,two halves refuse to slide together, lower column under stress from sliding through pedal box. hence top and bottom half out of alignment. Derek at Caterham has no explanation so stuck.

[MADMALC]

Have you connected the lower part to the rack? If you have try loosening the rack and rotating to change the angle. Or disconnect the lower part from the rack and connect the two parts first then adjust the rack to the natural line.

[SM25T]

Slide bottom end of lower column off the splines of the rack. Fit the two halves of the column togther with some of the top part poking into the cockpit ... then push forwards and fit UJ to splines on rack

[ChrisC]

Assume if your talking to Derek is a new build, so all new parts.    It may be to late for my first comment, but here goes anyway, If you have a removable steering wheel, and intend for Caterham to do the IVA, don't bother with the top steering column bush.   It will be removed and refitted during the process, so save the effort.   When you do put it in, make sure the plastic insert is the correct way round.   If its incorrect it will push into the column tube as you fit the upper column.    Don't connect the lower column to the UJ until you have the upper and lower columns in place (not clamped), in fact don't have the UJ on the rack either for that extra bit of space.    Lube the columns inside on upper and outside on lower, and wiggle them as they slide.    My S3 had a little unused fixing hole and tang that just touched the lower column (in the pedal box), it was spotted during IVA and a simple bend of the unused fixing point solved the problem, but maybe this is causing your alignment problem?  Finally you could always remove the grommets from the cheese wedge to get that bit more wiggle room, but they may be a cow to refit. 

[1646958]

Many thanks Chris, I had already removed the bottom universal joint , if I slide the lower searing shaft in it does hit that lower lug and it is hard against the top of the exit hole into the engine bay. I will nock the lower tag up out of the way and see if that helps.

Thanks again John Q

[Jim 123]

Have you left the steering rack clamp bolts loose for now? I recall that these don't get tightened until the column assembly is lined up and in place. Keep an eye out for clearance between the column where it passes under the belt tensioner.