Alfetta - How to adjust steering column height?

[AlfaACT]

Fellow Alfisti,

Can anyone advise if the location of the central shaft in the steering column can be adjusted relative to the outer tube? Axially not radially!

Alternatively: Can anyone advise what anchors the central shaft IN the outer column?

Thanks,
Peter.

[Beatle]

Peter, I'm not 100% sure of the question, but are you trying to adjust (effectively) the Alfetta column for 'reach'?  i.e. get the steering wheel closer to your chest?

I believe the shaft is held in place, or located by the bushes/bearings.  You should be able to pull the shaft out of the column by disconnecting the bottom joint, though it is one thing I don't recall ever dismantled on a 116.

Any sort of modification would be difficult. 

Part solution is to use a different wheel with an extended boss, though this changes the wheel-to-stalk relationship.   

The Alfa 90 column is adjustable for rake and reach and may offer a solution?

[Beatle]

Anything here help at all? 

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfetta-gtv6-1972-1986/202763-sterring-column-question.html

http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/alfetta-gtv6-1972-1986/33525-steering-column-question.html 

The BB seems to have lost some of the photos in these older threads.

[AlfaACT]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the info. Maybe my post was not clear.
The base of the steering wheel boss has "lost contact" with the horn "brush" and the peg on the indicator cancelling collar - both of which are located firmly against the top end of the steering column tube. Neither are worn, in fact they both look "new"!
It appears that the central shaft (and wheel) needs to be pushed back into the column tube about 5mm.

Oh and, there is absolutely no slop or play in my steering. It really is all as it should be - except the horn don't work and the indies don't cancel!

Peter.

[Beatle]

OK,

So 'lost' contact means it has been OK previously?  i.e. you haven't just installed a new wheel?

Try disconnecting the uni joint on the shaft and pushing it down. Maybe spray some penetrating lube any place you can access.  Not too much, don't want to wash out any grease.

I don't believe there is any 'collapsible' functionality in the top section of the shaft so you might coax it down using a few taps with a heavy hammer (protect threads, use a dead-blow mallet if you have one, or a heavy hammer onto timber onto shaft). 

Don't flail away with the hammer, and rotate the wheel between blows.  I can't recall if there are roller bearings on the shaft or just bushes, but moving the wheel should reduce the chances of notching any roller bearings when you clout/tap the shaft.

Of course, I offer this in good faith, but you takes your own chances and makes your own risk assessment...................

Oh, and I'd pull the stalk switchgear off the column first, so you don't break anything.  Also do it with a key in the ignition turned to ON (disconnect battery lead) so the steering lock is retracted

[AlfaACT]

Paul,

More good oil, thanks.

Yes it definitely used to work and nothing has been deliberately or consciously changed. No new wheel.
I noticed that the horn operation was intermittent sometimes but I don't use it much so didn't worry - until I nearly got backed into two weeks ago. The horn did not work at all, but luckily my voice did! So I gotta fixit - horn not voice ;-)

I've got the AR manual but it doesn't help me much. Have now ordered the Haynes variety.
Also have a soft hammer and was starting to think that this might be the way to go. Trust me, I WILL be careful and definitely wont be "flailing".

The manual suggests it has roller bearings too (see pic) but need to confirm this.
Rotating the wheel is a good idea and retracting the steering lock is GOLD - I may not have thought of that, until it was too late!

Many thanks,
Peter.

[LukeC]

I would loosen the three pinch bolts and push the shaft down (maybe with a mallet). Not having dissasembled one for many years (but still having a shaft in my tool kit as a drift), I seem to remember the axiaxle location on the pre-PS cars is only made by the pinch bolts on the splines.

I know there is some axial play in the splines were the pinch bolts goes through.... I seem to remember from last year when I put the Power steering in my GTV, there was some juggling to get the steering wheel protrusion right.

Give me a call if you want me to have a look: I am in Ainslie 0402779738

Luke

[AlfaACT]

Thanks Luke,

Tried that - very tentatively - last weekend, but it did not seem to want to budge.
Hence the questions ... Will try again this weekend.

Did you know there is a Canberra Chapter of AROCA?
  http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=5348.0

Ciao,
Peter.

[AlfaACT]

Woo Hoo!

Got set for a long afternoon in the garage. Prepared things like Paul said ...
Then, undid both pinch bolts on the universal joint at the bottom end of the column. Thanks Luke, I only loosened the top one last week!
Applied a little pressure on the boss, wriggled the wheel and it gently eased down to where it was supposed to be!

Reassembled everything and now its all good as gold 

Thanks guys,
Peter.