Hi All, new to the forum. Mike from Florida with a 06 MCS @ 86k miles. Bought it as a project, turned out its in good shape so I started replacing the worn and soon to be worn parts as much as I can...

So now my Problem where I need a short advice. I changed all suspension joints/ bushings (powerflex) and therefore dropped the subframe (easier that I thought thanks to the amazing info on this forum and the minimod youtube channel). Unfortunately, all tutorials are for removal but not for reinstall. Got everything back in but I cant get the little eccentric bolt back in the clamp that holds the steering column to the steering box. It seems the steering box shaft has three flattened sides and one rounded. I never touched the steering wheel during my work (was locked) and have the rounded side of the mentioned shaft facing the opening of the u-shape clamp (meaning all flat parts are inside the u-clamp). Is that right? If so, whats the trick to get the clamp close enough over the shaft to be able to push the eccentric bolt back in? It came out easily and even the clamp slid off without the need to pry anything (100% Florida car, no rust whatsoever)

THANKS!!!

 

I had to tap mine with socket wrench to get it to seat into place.
Where in Florida are you. I'm in panama city beach.

 

I am in Naples, Florida... Just a tiny little bit further south

My u-clamp slides in place totally easy but somehow not enough to get the bolt through. Did you "swing" the clamp on or push it down from the top? And do you remember if the side of the shaft from the steering box was rounded where the bot gets through or flat?

THANKS!!!

 

Keep playing with. It will eventually line up. IMO this is the hardest thing about reinstalling the subframe particularly because there's so little room to work.

 

OK, will do... Do you know about where the flat parts of the shaft go into the u-shape clamp? I find no picture and maybe I did something wrong and need to turn it 180°

 

The flat part is where the pinch bolt goes over. Round part plays in the cradle.

 

If you haven't already, unlock the steering wheel so that the shaft can turn to align with the yoke.

 

I had to do that with mine. Just make sure you move it just enough. Or you will get your steering all jacked up.

 

https://nemigaparts.com/cat_spares/e...53/HC/RE33/32/

 

Thanks for the info, that helps a lot!!!! I had the feeling something is wrong with al flat parts in the cradle... i had the whole subframe lying around slightly tilted down on the passenger side... could it be the steering "wandered" due to that? low pressure hoses of steering pump were detached...

 

While my subframe was out I removed the rack to bead blast and paint. When I reinstalled it I turned the rack to full left then full right and counted the turns, then did half the turns to get to center. Did the same with the steering wheel and it lined up fine. You have to screw up by 180 degrees which is almost hard to do.

[best not to have to do that but it did work pretty easy]
The clamp part just flips down.

robj
Bargain $500 Mini

 

turned 180, everything fits and full left to full right with no problems... buttons in steeringwheel still work, so it seems to be right... still no clue how something turned while frame was out...

guys, thanks for the amazing help!!!