Steering column too far back

[Bensdexta]

Finally reassembled my steering box and fuel tank.

BUT... the top of the ST column is jammed hard against the rear edge of the hole in the dash panel - see red arrow.


All the bolts will do up, but because the column is so far offset from the centre of the hole in the dash panel, the dust cover that fits over the column, does not fit correctly - its front edge collides with the edge of the dash panel.

Can I pack up the rear two bolts that hold the ST box down, so as to tip the top of the column forward a bit?

OR put an extra rubber washer under each of the two forward bolts that hold the fuel tank down, so as to tip the tank back a bit?

OR do both?

Anyone else had this problem??

By the way, it's the original tank, ST column, dash panel & dust cover.

OR, on second thoughts..., perhaps I can oblong the holes that fix the dash panel, so I can move it back 1/4" or so...

TIA

[dexta roadless]

I would try to fit the fron and bonnet to check the alignment to the tank.(If the line between bonnet and tank is correct) It could be a slightly bent bracket holding the tank. Just a guess

[Tubal Cain]

Ben,

As has already been pointed out you really need to leave everything slack until the bonnet and nosecone are fitted. Have you fitted the rubber pads between the fuel tank and its supports?

Also you need to pass the capiliary and phial for the temperature guage down between the tank and steering column, before you bolt everything up, as it difficult if not impossible to do so when everything is bolted up.

Gerald

[Bensdexta]

Yes I have the three rubber pads under the fuel tank. And the front support bracket bolts up OK - there's not much scope for movement there as it's bolted down to the clutch housing and the front of the ST box.

I'm just doing a trial fit at present to check the throttle, upper dash and steering wheel all fit. I still have to get my wiring loom, so it'll all have to come to bits again.

Does your column align neatly in the centre of the upper dash as presumeably it should?

Thanks for the advice.

[justjamiefarming]

Could you tell me if this was resolved as I have the same problem?

To get the upper dash panel assembly to fit, I had to omit the rear tank cushion pad to allow the tank to 'sit Down' at the back to allow room.

I looked at the tank support brackets and everything appeared normal.

Now it has come time to fit the bonnet, There is a problem with the lower rear corners of the bonnet assembly overlapping the tank.

[Bensdexta]

Only partially resolved!

I oblonged the holes for the dash panel a little, to allow it to move aft a couple mm.

BUT I haven't fitted the nose cone and bonnet yet, so may not be out of the woods yet. Next job when I get a break from lambing!

Please let us know how you get on.

[justjamiefarming]

Ok, I re-visited the problem again yesterday.

I stripped off the bonnet, steering box covers, steering wheel etc.
I then removed the tank studs and re-inserted the rear cushion pad, and yes, there it was, problem exactly as shown in photo above.

I Loosened off tank support brackets and checkeck alignments and can verify all was as should be.

Resulting Fix :-

I took two pan washers (flat washers of approx 40mm dia x 1.5mm thick) drilled out the centers to accept the studs and then shimmed up the rear of steering box.
This cured the problem at the start of the thread and also brought all the tin work into alignment.

Happy days are here again

[Bensdexta]

Ok, I re-visited the problem again yesterday.

I stripped off the bonnet, steering box covers, steering wheel etc.
I then removed the tank studs and re-inserted the rear cushion pad, and yes, there it was, problem exactly as shown in photo above.

I Loosened off tank support brackets and checkeck alignments and can verify all was as should be.

Resulting Fix :-

I took two pan washers (flat washers of approx 40mm dia x 1.5mm thick) drilled out the centers to accept the studs and then shimmed up the rear of steering box.
This cured the problem at the start of the thread and also brought all the tin work into alignment.

Happy days are here again

Many thanks for the update. So you packed the rear of the steering box to tip the top of the column forwards slightly. Sounds like a good solution. Love to see some pics if you get a chance.

I'm looking forward to getting back on mine, but too many lambs just now!