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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: wil892 on 26 November 2011, 17:51

Title: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 26 November 2011, 17:51
Hi

I'm trying to reinstall my steering column after removing it to replace the lower bearing and ignition housing. The car is a 1991 model so has the more complicated mouting arrangement.
I'm having massive trouble mounting the column in the correct position, basically the column has four mounting bolts which I can get to line up, but the tab thing at the end of the column above the lower bearing just doesn't seem long enough to get to the little rubber bar on the peddle assembly it should fit on. If I don't mount this tab I can screw the column in but it tight against the dash (see pic) and that tab must locate on something.
Btw this is a diesel car, which according to the VW parts system uses a different steering tube with rubber absorbers, but I think the general shape of the column is the same as other post 90 cars.
Tab won't reach rubber mounting bar
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/wil892/782021a8.jpg)
Bolts screwed up
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/wil892/609af984.jpg)
Correct lower mounting bolts?
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/wil892/9f14cfc4.jpg)
I wonder if the steering tube is bent somehow but I don't understand why the tab at the bottom doesnt reach where it should sit.

Cheers, this is really driving me nuts, plus its so awkward

Will
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: X4MGS on 26 November 2011, 18:19
I would take the dash (it's only 6 bolts/screws) out and try again...

Will make it so much easier to line it up and fix it back in...
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 26 November 2011, 18:24
I would, but just fitting it with the dash in I can see it just isnt long enough to get on that rubber bar which confuses me. Stupidly I didnt take any pictures before I took it off.
This is something that should be able to be refitted with the dash in surely? I took it out with the dash in easily
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: X4MGS on 26 November 2011, 18:30
I would, but just fitting it with the dash in I can see it just isnt long enough to get on that rubber bar which confuses me. Stupidly I didnt take any pictures before I took it off.
This is something that should be able to be refitted with the dash in surely? I took it out with the dash in easily

I'm stripping one out tomorrow so I can take some pictures if that helps...

I would still take the dash out so you can see what's what with out having anything in the way...
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 26 November 2011, 18:36
Yeah tbh that is probably the best way of doing it, its that mental thing of removing the dash though. I usually freak out when more than a certain number of bits are off this car.
Having said that it doesnt have an engine or front end at the moment so the dash probably isnt such a big thing.
If you could take some pics that would be brilliant, thanks
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: X4MGS on 26 November 2011, 18:38
Yeah tbh that is probably the best way of doing it, its that mental thing of removing the dash though. I usually freak out when more than a certain number of bits are off this car.
Having said that it doesnt have an engine or front end at the moment so the dash probably isnt such a big thing.
If you could take some pics that would be brilliant, thanks

Will do M8...
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 27 November 2011, 10:51
I removed the shear bolts from the column so I could put the mounting that goes behind the clocks on. The mounting is now fixed into position but the column tube still isnt fitting properly. It looks like its too short, i can't understand it :(

mounted on rubber bush, physically can't move upward due to triangular bit before it
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/wil892/85995e82.jpg)

position when lined up with mounting bolt holes where the shear bolts were
(http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii36/wil892/85995e82.jpg)

anyone experienced this before? or am I missing something. I feel sure that without now having to locate the mount behind the clocks I don't need to remove the dash.
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: Craigwilson on 27 November 2011, 10:55
See the hook that goes around the rubber mounting pin the lip at the front of that is the only part that actually touches the pin and my colum is fixed in place.
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: clipperjay on 27 November 2011, 10:55
Are you sure its not the telescope type of steering column?
I know they designed the column to calapse in a crash and it might just need pulling out to extend it once fixed its secure!
Have a look and see if you can pull it out a bit more you might have just forgot its like a telescope if thats the right column  :wink:
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: Craigwilson on 27 November 2011, 11:24
Thats worrying i only fitted it about a week ago ill check it again.
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 27 November 2011, 13:13
clipperjay, you got it! I took a long hard look at it and thought that it looks telescopic, so pushed the tabs down and it extended.
Only issue I am having now is the actual steering bar doesn't seem long enough even though I have extended it to its maximum. Maybe the uj isn't sticking through the bulk head enough even though it is bolted to the rack. I think I will have to do a bit more fiddling with it.
Not a big fan of this job at the moment!
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: clipperjay on 27 November 2011, 13:25
No probs! At least its not magic  :laugh:
There is more length to be had mate it might be eaiser to take it out then pull on it  :wink:
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 27 November 2011, 13:34
Ok yeah i've got it out to extend it but its currently extended to the point I can see the tab that is referenced in the haynes manual. Not sure why its going to have to be extended more. I'll have another look at the UJ because it doesnt look quite right at the moment.
I'm guessing the column should be ok safetywise after this? Its back to where it was and nothing was broken.
Cheers for the help!
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: clipperjay on 27 November 2011, 13:44
The UJ should be a nuckle type which needs twisting to get it straighter.
If it fit before it will again fella! 
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: Pluginz on 30 November 2011, 11:44
Managed to bolt the Column up yet?

Ive had the same problem trying to bolt the UJ back onto the column before.  I found it easier to loosen the UJ at the rack end, then the UJ and column bolts up easy, especially with that damn spring inbetween it! :)   Yes, its quite a fiddly job that one.



 
Title: Re: Steering column nightmare, please help!
Post by: wil892 on 01 December 2011, 20:10
I ran out of time last weekend, but I did figure out I was using my spare powersteering UJ by mistake, which is a lot shorter than the manual one. I'll try again this weekend. I've extended the column to max so hopefully it should go, will update!!