LEMON Manuals: Even more car manuals for everyone: 1960-2025
Home >> MG >> 1979 >> Midget >> Repair and Diagnosis >> Steering >> Steering Columns >> Removal & Installation >> Steering Column Alignment
April 5, 2026: LEMON Manuals is launched! Read the announcement.

Steering Column Alignment

NOTE: This procedure must be performed when installing new steering column and/or steering gear.
  1. Place rack in straight-ahead position with flat of pinch bolt at highest point on pinion. Slide column into position with floor board plate. Put column straight-ahead and position clamp slot up. Fit steering column over pinion shaft.
  2. Fit column to upper mounting bracket and finger tighten nut. Make sure column passes through center of floor board plate. Make sure mounting bracket is straight.
  3. Measure gap between upper column mounting flanges and brackets. Select correct thickness packing washers and finger tighten nuts.
  4. Tighten cover plate at floor board. Tighten pinion shaft pinch bolt.
  5. Rotate steering wheel from stop to stop. Note movement of rack assembly in relation to crossmember. Slowly move steering wheel in each direction until neutral position of rack is located.
  6. Measure distance between rack mounting bracket at pinion end and front face of body crossmember. Install packing washers thickness of gap.
  7. Remove pinion pinch bolts and floor board plate bolts. Push and pull on steering column and make sure column is free to slide. If column is too tight on pinion rack, recheck alignment. When alignment is correct tighten nuts and bolts.
    TIGHTENING SPECIFICATIONS

    Application Ft.Lbs. (mkg)
    Upper Column Mounting Bolts 12-17 (1.7-2.4)
    Pinion Shaft Pinch Bolt 9-12 (1.2-1.7)
    Steering Wheel Nut 37 (5.1)
scientia non olet · About LEMON Manuals