hi guys. I've been positive about the car right up until i've tried to do some more work on it.. Why can't I spend 10 minutes on the car without that sinking "oh no, its not going to fit/operate/be cheap to fix" feeling?

sorry for the bad photos, had to use my phone:

can't get fifth gear with the standard steering wheel and gearstick


the original bolt no longer secures the steering column, its far too long (the bottom bolt on the column in this picture is a complete bodge job with a series of spacing nuts and a shorter bolt)


this photo appears to have focused on the box behind, but you can just about see that the steering wheel is up tight against the wheel lock mechanism.. cue grinding noise when the steering is operated and metal shavings in the footwell


also what is used in place of the cowling from the sierra to shroud the steering column?

any solutions welcome (i suspect the first issue requires the gearlever to be shortened).

Well the easy one to fix is the steering grindign issue... you're missing a part!

The self-cancelling unit is missing. That will space the wheel out by 20-25mm further and cure grinding.

It's a plastic bush with 2 notches, one sticking out the side, one sticking into that notch in the back of the wheel.

About 20p from breakers.



As for first picture, most people chop the gearstick down... so that's not really a massive problem either.


HTH,
James

[Edited on 15/8/09 by James]

You could just bend the gear lever a little to the left

not sure of the rest without closer inspection

cheers james + mookaloid, not sure about bending the gearstick might make for an odd feel?

[Edited on 15/8/09 by cd.thomson]

see the little buldge in the gearstick? theres a rubber bush inside there, and the stick inside is exactly the same size as the threaded bit the gear knob screws to.

do it

i did mine, and my gear lever is like changing gear with a toggle switch lol

or smaller steering wheel/don't use 5th gear

heres mine


[Edited on 15/8/09 by blakep82]

Can you reach the gear lever easily when strapped into the drivers seat? If not a remote extension would help . Have a look at David Jenkins site for an easy to make remote.

I would say that the gear lever looks way too long and needs shortening, and that the steering wheel is too big for a 7.

I have a 300mm Momo Team and it works perfectly with the Escort quick rack that Dax supply.

Nick

yes i will be shortening the gearlever but cant fit the momo steering wheel until post IVA as it is not type approved.

not necessarily

Bare metal spokes are allowed as long as they conform to the edge radius requirements. Components likely to catch in the driver’s clothing or jewellery are not permitted. Note: It is possible to fit an 'aftermarket' steering wheel which has been approved for use on any design of column. These will be referred to as “Separate Technical Units”. If the presenter can provide satisfactory documentary evidence that this is the case, a “Separate Technical Unit” may be acceptable.