joe1 Posted August 1 Share Posted August 1 I'm just rebulding a F reg 90 Def with what is probably a 2/300 tdi bulkhead. When I put the old steering column on the bulkhead the lower steering column bracket (the one with the 4 mounting holes) sits off the vertical face of the footwell by about 1/2 inch. Otherwise, positioning of the column looks right and it looks like it will be in the right position for the steering linkage ...tho I've not connected this yet. Obviously I can weld/extend the bracket so it fits flush, but it seems odd? Where there any differences in steering columns or depth of footwells between early and later Defenders? Any thoughts welcome. Thanks! Next pic shows the actual gap with the bracket I'm talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Are you 100% sure you've got the bulkhead mounted / aligned properly. It's a large object and a slight misalignment (tilting forwards and back) I can see making a big difference to that gap. Might be worth slapping on the wings or some other panels (assuming they are not already) just to see if you're obviously out of alignment. You don't want to be modifying it and then find none of the other body panels line up and you have to undo it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul C Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-steering/steering-column-upper/steering-wheel-column_53722 There should be shims in there 569522 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 34 minutes ago, Ed Poore said: Are you 100% sure you've got the bulkhead mounted / aligned properly. It's a large object and a slight misalignment (tilting forwards and back) I can see making a big difference to that gap. Might be worth slapping on the wings or some other panels (assuming they are not already) just to see if you're obviously out of alignment. You don't want to be modifying it and then find none of the other body panels line up and you have to undo it. But both ends are bolted to the bulkhead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe1 Posted August 2 Author Share Posted August 2 32 minutes ago, Paul C said: https://www.lrworkshop.com/diagrams/land-rover-defender-steering/steering-column-upper/steering-wheel-column_53722 There should be shims in there 569522 Yesss... well spotted!! Its going to take a lot of shims for what looks like a 8mm gap, but iI'll have a play later and connect the linkage for a closer look. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Shims must be to take up manufacturing tolerances. My bulkhead, with replacement footwells, it all just bolts up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 46 minutes ago, landroversforever said: My bulkhead, with replacement footwells, it all just bolts up. Maybe yours is bent out of shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Poore Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 2 minutes ago, Bowie69 said: Maybe yours is bent out of shape Surely just heavily modified to improve clearance? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 1 minute ago, Ed Poore said: Surely just heavily modified to improve clearance? Whichever way you wish to present it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 23 minutes ago, Ed Poore said: Surely just heavily modified to improve clearance? The footwells are actually 100% stock shape and size! D44 did the replacement work, all jigged to match the factory original location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Doesn’t the column slide within the mounts a bit? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorknob Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 Not sure if this helps, but is the top support bracket fully against the bulkhead? Like with the firewall sponge behind it? I've spent hours on a similar problem you have, only to find out I had a bulkhead with a slightly too wide welding seam, which made the top support bracket slightly angled. Could not for the life of me align it. Might be worth checking out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maverik Posted August 2 Share Posted August 2 As Doorknob says is the bracket allowed to fully engage with the flat of the bulkhead at the top, if there's a new spongy gasket sometime it takes a bit to compress it. Have you tried loosening all the bolts to the clamp etc and put all the bolts in and tighten in a different sequence? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe1 Posted August 3 Author Share Posted August 3 Yes... @Doorknob and @Maverik the sponge gasket on the top bracket had a lot to do with the problem ....it was old and swollen in places ...once cleaned up it all sat more closely and the bottom bracket just needed a 2mm shim inserted to take up the final slack. Thanks guys,,, on to the next challenge in the rebuild.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doorknob Posted August 3 Share Posted August 3 Great you got it solved! Would've recommended a new one, they are dirt cheap but I can imagine you not wanting to tear it down again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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