urgent advice needed with QR steering wheel

[mandalman]

I've just taken my new Superlight out for a bit of a shakedown prior to its first real blat around mid Wales on Tuesday. Driving home with it from its storage unit to home I noticed a bit of play in the wheel - it would move forward and back on the steering column by about  1 cm. When I got home I took the steering wheel off and now it will not go on for love nor money. On close inspection I can see part of the ring on what I assume is the locking mechanism (sorry, I'm strictly non technical) is missing? Could this be the problem and what would the fix be? Is there anywhere (hopefully Midlands based) that could effect a repair or sell me a replacement wheel tomorrow (Monday) before my trip on Tuesday!! Pic below with missing piece circled

[Wrightpayne]

That looks the same as mine.

Are you aligning the double width spline? 
 

Edited to say your balls look a bit dirty. Shot of WD40 / GT85 and a wipe. If you pull the collar up you should be able to press the balls in.

[mandalman]

I will give my balls a good scrub. Sorry to ask what is probably an obvious question but how do I align the double width spline?

(sorry, I am totally new to Caterham ownership)

 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

Also make sure the bore is clean at the bottom, as it won't go on the second detent while the release ring is pulled, if anything is blocking the end of the shaft.

[Guy Lowe]

Looks fine to me, the movement would be that it was only on the "first stage" and needed to be pushed fully on to the "second stage" IYKWIM

[Wrightpayne]

Mine has a double width spline on the column and corresponding slot on the boss so it only goes on in one place.

[Saltyhair81]

Second Guys post, that was the same mistake I made when I purchased my car. 

[mandalman]

thanks for all your help guys. I've finally got it back on. Think I just went into panic mode and didn't think it through. Cleaned my balls and slowly rotated the wheel on the spine until it slotted itself back on like butter. First lesson learnt to not be a complete plank and take my time!!

[SLR No.77]

It's not always the case, but it's much easier if the column & quick release are fitted with the wide spline uppermost when the steering is dead ahead, not always the case.

Stu.

[ScottR400D]

If I’m seeing that clearly, the bit that’s ‘missing’ is the gap in the wire clip that holds the whole thing together. 

Pull that gap apart, the clip comes off and the assembly can be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. Worth doing every now and then and simple enough.