|
|
| Author |
Message |
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
 Posted: Mon Jul 12, 2021 10:54 pm Post subject: Seen one of these before? |
 |
|
I just bought a new one but saved over £30 by re using the caps. The bottom cap looks like it's been chromed but in fact it's not. I just burnished and lacquered it.
I expect you guys know what it's for but I had never seen one before.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1390
Location: Netherlands
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:11 am Post subject: |
|
|
Fits just behind the steering wheel around the shaft?
I have a similar one on the Interceptor that could do with replacing (gone a bit rusty). Where did you find yours?
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
Well done! It surprised me that there were 37 views before you answered.
Yes, it covers up the splines and is self adjusting to the position of the wheel on the shaft.
I bought mine from MG Octagon Car Club spares Dept.
My original one had also gone a bit rusty and I just couldn't be doing with trying to clean it up. The new one cost £26.40 plus postage. The caps are extra but I was able to save my rusty ones by burnishing then finishing with clear lacquer.
By the way...I have not even been in a Jensen Interceptor. (Touring/Vignale)
I have an unrequited love for such a wonderful car...
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
badhuis
Joined: 20 Aug 2008
Posts: 1390
Location: Netherlands
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:03 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ray White wrote: | By the way...I have not even been in a Jensen Interceptor. (Touring/Vignale)
I have an unrequited love for such a wonderful car...
|
Yes, I have a similar car although not at all in such fantastic condition. Bought it in Manchester in 2001 for 3500 UKpounds 
Whenever you are in the Netherlands please be invited for a drive!
This is my steering wheel cover thingy:
Usually I would not hesitate in buying one from a UK specialist (it seems not too expensive) but since the Brexit parts have become very expensive as Customs charge an absurd amount of money. In the case of this item it could easily become twice as expensive.
_________________
a car stops being fun when it becomes an investment |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:10 am Post subject: |
|
|
| badhuis wrote: |
Whenever you are in the Netherlands please be invited for a drive!
|
That's very kind of you!
Thank you. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ukdave2002
Joined: 23 Nov 2007
Posts: 4104
Location: South Cheshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 12:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There is one fitted to my MGA , which has the adjustable steering column, however unless you are a midget the steering wheel always gets adjusted as close to the dash as possible!
Dave |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alastairq
Joined: 14 Oct 2016
Posts: 1950
Location: East Yorkshire
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 1:28 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I found the steering wheel in Midgets to be a tad too large...
BTW, I didn't answer because none of my cars are likely to have such bling.. 
_________________
Dellow Mk2, 1951 built, reg 1952.
Fiat 126 BIS
Cannon special [1996 registered. Built in 1950's]
----------------------------------------------
Ford Pop chassis, Ashley 1172 bodyshell, in pieces. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lowdrag
Joined: 10 Apr 2009
Posts: 1585
Location: Le Mans
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7117
Location: Edinburgh
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 8:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Goes back to the SS Jaguars.
Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 10:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Interesting to see how may cars used one.
On my car - in the absence of an adjustable column - it allows the wheel to be moved in and out a bit on the splines.
Interestingly these things are sometimes described as a "dust cover". In practice, it keeps grease off your clothes more than anything.
The original MG TC had a 17" steering wheel which I agree is over large and although that amount of leverage is fine for the original heavy and direct "Bishop Cam" steering, it does not suit the lower gearing of the improved worm and wheel steering, so my new "Brooklands" wheel is 15 1/2". A compromise perhaps? .... yes, but very easily reversed if desired. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7117
Location: Edinburgh
|
| Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 11:12 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have a vague memory of visiting Steve Baker and him telling us that he always fitted a small Datsun steering box. Datsun may be wrong but it was far eastern. You probably know about this Ray.
Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Rick
Site Admin
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
Posts: 22437
Location: UK
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:07 am Post subject: |
|
|
| peter scott wrote: | I have a vague memory of visiting Steve Baker and him telling us that he always fitted a small Datsun steering box. Datsun may be wrong but it was far eastern. You probably know about this Ray.
Peter |
Yes Datsun/Nissan. They are virtually unobtainable now so these days the trend is to fit VW boxes. That is what I have done on the advice of Steve Baker and others who say it is transformative... but I still have the original box (which seems to be in good condition) should I wish to take a step back.
The original 'Bishop cam' box has always been a bone of contention. For some people the very direct and higher gearing is the essence of the TC and they will go to great lengths and expense to keep them. For those of us who prefer to keep the car in a straight line when driving along the road, then the constant wander correction is a nuisance.
The downside of the VW box is that lower gearing means having to work overtime with the 17" steering wheel in corners... so the answer is to fit a 15 1/2" wheel to compensate. That is what I have done; but I needed a new wheel anyway.
Another difference is that the original Bishop Cam steering is - for such a small car - surprisingly heavy at low speeds. In fact it is strongly advised not to turn the wheel when stationary as damage to the steering box may occur.
The VW box, on the other hand is probably a bit too light.... but with my painful hands
it looks like quite an attractive option; especially on longer journeys.
There is one other consideration. Safety. There is a considerable risk that the original drop arm will have developed cracks. If it fails in service it is instant loss of steering. I would think the simple answer is to crack test the drop arm or replace it with a new one.
More worrying is the inherent design flaw with the original box. This has a worm operated peg that wears easily and can snap off especially if a "Tompkins" needle roller bearing has been fitted.
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
peter scott
Joined: 18 Dec 2007
Posts: 7117
Location: Edinburgh
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 10:35 am Post subject: |
|
|
MG seems to have generally cut costs on steering boxes. My friend's SA had terribly heavy steering all due to inefficiency in the box. In Laurence Pomperoy's articles concerning his SA, I see that he too was less than impressed by the steering and had fitted "the latest type of Bishop steering gear, using roller bearings and other changes in design" "This is by the way, a special fitting as the standard steering is rather too heavy for my liking, although completely free from road shock. With the high efficiency gear one can definitely feel the road on the hand, but this is something I am willing to accept." "it is not a car to flick through roundabouts at 50 mph,"
Peter
_________________
http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Ray White
Joined: 02 Dec 2014
Posts: 6303
Location: Derby
|
| Posted: Wed Jul 14, 2021 11:15 am Post subject: |
|
|
I remember my Dad saying how disappointed he was that the SA had such heavy steering; the much lighter built VA apparently not quite so much... but then it suffered from wander.
Seems you can't win! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
