Steering column nightmare, please help!

[wil892]

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

Bolts screwed up

Correct lower mounting bolts?

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

[X4MGS]

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...

[wil892]

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

[X4MGS]

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...

[wil892]

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

[X4MGS]

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...

[wil892]

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


position when lined up with mounting bolt holes where the shear bolts were


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.

[Craigwilson]

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.

[clipperjay]

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  

[Craigwilson]

Thats worrying i only fitted it about a week ago ill check it again.