Steering column removal

[ScuttleRX]

Any step by step guides about for this, big job, difficult job (silly question really, every job I have undertaken on this car so far has been difficult).

Need to get it off so I can access my downpipe, have got the nuts on finger-tight but cant get a spanner on them, gonna try a stubby one in the morn when i get a new hacksaw blade to cut one down, otherwise I will need to remove the column.

BTW big thanks to \'xxx\' garage charging £52+vat an hour for fitting it, only to have the pipe fall off a year later. (Have left the name of garage out in case this is a usual occurence, which I cant imagine it is but hey), im really enjoying trying to put it back on

[antnicuk]

you dont have to take the whole column out,  just remove the bolt from the join, pull apart,  be sure to scribe the two halfs while they are still connected so they line up again although from memory,  they only go together on way.  This will give you a little room.  Down pipes are always a pain but you can always get there in the end
good luck

[ScuttleRX]

Cheers, I shall have a crack at it in the morning, have chilled out a bit now was slightly peeved earlier You may have saved me a lot of time

[Fish]

Get the wheels straight then remove the column. As for using spanners, NO NO NO. You are best using either a deep socket or a stubby extension.

Fish

[ScuttleRX]

no No No

http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008_ZSXXXXXX44GB\' target=\'_blank\'>http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_9_137.gif\' alt=\'Spank\' border=0> oops, i\'ll get my socket set out then

I might have to post up a few pics tomorrow, make sure im removing the right bits off column, how lost would I be without this forum

[ScuttleRX]

Right, do I just slacken off A and B, then I can remove C?

[goose]

That\'s the ones! Then, when you\'ve got both the upper and lower bolts out, knock the steering column upwards with a hammer and a drift so that if comes free at the steering rack end. (There\'s a little tab there you can use to help you).

You should then be able to pull it free from the upper section.

[ScuttleRX]

cheers goose, ive managed to get to the other 3 nuts (a stubby ratchet from halfords got the top back one, normal ratchet on front 2), but that last one is a pig so i\'ll need that column off, i shall go give it a go!

[ScuttleRX]

ah my stubby ratchet may fit on the last one, just waiting for my old chap to bring me a 17mm socket, I brought a deep one but it is too long, gonna try a normal one

[ScuttleRX]

Lovely jubbly, didnt need to touch steering column in the end which im pleased about, worst a downpipe can do is blow, worst case for a steering column = heading for ditch fast

Loctite and spring washers on this time, hopefully end of my troubles, will be keeping a close eye on them this time

[goose]

Put some copper-ease on the steering rod splines and it\'ll be a 2 minute job next time!