Bulkhead removal

[brixworth-alan]

Hi All, I'm taking the bulkhead off so I can get it fettled, and wondering what the least painful way to remove a steering column is?

The manual seems to suggest taking the steering wheel off and sliding the whole bulkhead up and over the end- this seems a bit silly, not to mention the manpower is restricted to just myself.

Any suggestions?

cheers

Alan

[NiteMare]

well looking in the haynes book on page 157 there's an exploded diagram ...

i think you should be able to remove the column and box with the bulkhead in situ, remove the drop arm and unbolt the column  from the support bracket (No. 78) and support bracket (No.70)...

alternatively unbolt the steering box from the support bracket (No. 78) and remove it complete with the bulkhead, seen quite a few on ebay still attached, it'll be a 2 man job unless you have an engine hoist to lift it with, then you can remove all the bits at your leisure

[Lucy1978]

last time I removed a bulkhead, I took it off with the steering box insitu, drop arm off, unbolt it from the suppport bracket etc, just as ^^^ he said.

[bogie]

Undo the bracket in side,undo the bolts that hold it on to chassis bracket and split one of the track rod ends and wiggle her out! ps Take the steerin wheel off first!

[carbore]

I worked on one that was off the car. The only thing I can add is that the drop arm on the steering box is very difficult to get off, my normal gear puller wouldnt budge it (with heat+WD40 etc) and I subsequently found that most people recomend a special puller. I was also told no to whack it with a hammer as this ruins the bearings.

Thefore any method which does not necessitate the removal of that drop arm must be good, unless you have a puller!

[brixworth-alan]

Bulkhead is off now! In the event, rather than take off the steering column it was much easier to take off the steering wheel and with an assistant slide the whole assembly up and over it. The handbrake kinda got in the way but by judiscious tipping, fiddling and swearing it worked a treat.
Thanks for all the advice!

Next steps are now to separate grearbox and engine (the clutch is frozen solid) and get the bulkhead away for welding.

cheers!

Alan