It occured to me for the first time last night that the steering column already installed in my car may not be collapsible. So started to dismantle it and it appears that it isnt no ! thats three things in the same number of days that I have discovered are definate fails ! SVA manual now ordered ! £37 hopefully well spent.

Is it possible to modify a column so it meets the collapsible rule ?

Otherwise will a Sierra column (which I presume is collapsible) fit without to much fuss ? Probably depends on the rack I already have installed unless the upper section has the same ID as my current one and just slides into the same splined hole on the UJ ? ? ? Would anyone be able to identify what column I have in the car from a few pics ? I guess its from a Cortina or an Escort. Think the car was started a fair while ago.

questions, questions, questions

Thanks

James

This is one area where the manual is a major help - a couple of pages-worth of acceptable steering fittings.

Many people use the Sierra column, as it addresses several issues in one go - the top bit is collapsible, so protecting the driver's chest. The lower end has 2 sliding features that stop the steering rod from harpooning the driver in a shunt - a triangular part that will slide up the column, and a clamp for the steering rod that can also slide up the triangular bit.

I get the feeling that the plain vanilla column is the one to get, as the adjustable column seems to cause complications for some people - but again I may be wrong. Remember to get the clamp-on bit when you get the Sierra column!

rgds,

David

IIRC but i may be wrong, you can overcome the collapsable issue with having sufficiant angles between the different sections of the column, this will mean that in a front impact the forces are not transmitted straight up the column thus ripping it from the mountings and lodging firmly in your chest!

May be an option

the adjustable one isnt a problem. just lock it at the position you need and remove the lever. I suspect its got the same mounts as a fixed ford one anyways.

lets put it this way, it didnt cause me any problems.

wouldnt you want as many safety features as you can get, rather than just angular protection?


its VITAL that you have decent mountings at the wheel, or else the collapseable or angular deformation features wont work - the wheel mounts will just detatch, and then its jour chest that will be the 'stop' for the deformation to work against.


atb

steve

[Edited on 12/11/04 by stephen_gusterson]

Blimey, manual arrived just now ! although I suspect most of the cost went on the next day 24hr delivery that I didnt seem to get an option on...anyhow.

Will have a good read after work. Surprised there isnt anyone knocking these off for a tenner anywhere ?! not a lot to them. The facilities we now have at work would allow me to make a full colour copy in about 5 mins might do a 'workshop' copy to keep this one pristine.

James

the manual is crown copyright. Belongs to a govt department.

they will come after you.

a member put it up on his site once, and was threatened with legal action.

atb

steve

Yes, not a good idea... tho if your making a copy i'd like to borrow it

collapsible boss?

if a steering wheel has travelled over a foot to meet your chest, i dont think a collapsable boss is gonna do much...

the idea is to make sure the wheel stays where it is...


atb

steve

quote:

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Originally posted by skinny
collapsible boss?

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