TC steering new worm and peg - still stiff

[Bernd Meyer]

Hello to every one,
I´m new in the forum and hope anyone can help.
To pass the german MOT the steering had to be improved. Four inch play in the middle and jammed in a sharp curve.
The garage installed a Tomkin repair kit an I got a repro worm and peg from England to solve the problem.
The steering moves smooth with acceptable play when the car ist lifted up.
But stiff when on the wheels, not ready to drive.
Unfortunately the engineer said he has no further ideas, though he ones a TDC himself.
Wheel bearings and kingpin seems o.k.
Any help would be highly apprecited.
Best regards, Bernd

[Kameron M]

VW conversion? Some people on the forum seem pleased with those. Crazy that you germans have to have a MOT for 60+ year old cars. In my state, there aren't any emissions OR safety inspections on cars.

[dirk w dondorp]

Fail to see what is so crazy to have a MOT! Ever driven on the very fast German roads including the Autobahn?
BTW, Also in the rest of Europe, an inspection of our cars the rule.

[Duncan M]

Sounds like the Tompkins kit has not been adjusted properly. It pushes down on the sector shaft, which pushes the peg farther down into the worm. It must be adjusted "just right" to be correct. Check around page 9-10 here, with some adjustment info on page 10. From the "resources" section of this site.
http://www.mg-tabc.org/library/Buell-TC ... 3rd-ed.pdf

[Bernd Meyer]

Thanks a lot Duncan.
There´s much I have to explain to my garages staff. They have probably never heard of.
Still I wonder why it turns easily when lifted up but not on the ground.
Never had that with my Jag MK II.

[stephen stierman]

It is difficult to turn sitting still because the weight of the engine is sitting almost right over the front wheels. As suggested back the adjuster off the Tompkins. With the car up in the air, you should just be able to feel the high point on the cam as the peg moves over it while moving the wheels left and right from dead center. Which brings up the direction that the high point should be at dead center, if not the drag link needs to be adjusted to achieve that.

[Duncan M]

Your engineer has a TD, which has rack and pinion steering like the Jaguar. Although the TC Bishop Cam steering box can be a weak link, if rebuilt and adjusted properly it has a unique and sporty trait that is unique.

Consider the 4.50 x 19 tires on the stock wheels on a stock TC. A heavy duty steering box is not necessary. TD got rack and pinion for its smaller diameter wheels and fatter tires, and probably cheaper to make it that way. When the BC box is used in a hot rod TC with smaller dia wheels and fat tires you should expect quick wear.

[Julian Evers]

Picking up on the comment that it is crazy to have an MOT or roadworthiness test on a 70 year old car. Legally in the UK this requirement was removed about 5 years ago, a most retrograde step. I am horrified by the number of people who have taken the opportunity to save GBP 55 and thus put their, and others, lives at risk.

In my opinion it is crazy not to have one. Most of us do our own basic maintenance and unfortunately learn to compensate for any errors or failings such as brake pull and dodgy steering. This can work until there is an emergency and then.....

Such a roadworthiness test is the best money I spend on the care each year. I get a professional and external view of the car and that is worth every penny. As Mike Sherrell pointed out, there is precious little secondary safety, so we would do well to get the primary safety sorted out to the highest standard.

Best regards

Julian

TC3382/MG 7305, 130,000 miles together and counting.

[frenchblatter]

My understanding of the pre 1960 non-MOT rule is that these cars will always fail the strict test in the UK.

I've just passed my French CT, as it should having had a ground up, no expense spared restoration. However the test is a joke over here. I've seen cars which are in a very poor state pass with dozens of advisories. These cars would never pass a UK MOT.

[Steve Simmons]

We have no inspection on any cars of any age here in California. And we're all still alive!

Inspections can be made if one desires, but it is not required. I would never trust the opinion of some kid in an inspection station anyway. I'm not a professional, but they don't understand these cars as well as I do.

[Gene Gillam]

Bernd,
Did you actually try driving the car after the BC box was worked on? You may have been amazed - parking lot driving takes more effort than you'd imagine but once above 10mph the steering is quick and nimble, albeit still old-fashioned feeling.
Gene
(Who hates the BC and has replaced his steering boxes with a Datsun and a VW conversion)

[Bernd Meyer]

In the meantime I passed the test with a steering which was loaned generously by a very great guy in my hometown.
Then I dismantled my box and found out that the cup of the upper ball-bearing looks like being hammered.
That gave obviously the crackle noise when turning the wheel-the best result the garage could deliver.
Now I´m going to find out how the play of the sector shaft is to eleminate.

[Bernd Meyer]

By the way, thanks to everyone giving me valuable hints so far.
Is there an allowance of play for the sector shaft in the bronze bushing?
I understand that the oil-seal works better if there´s no "moving" of the sector shaft in horizontal direction.
Thanks again

[Richardsalter]

Bernd, have you solved this problem finally? The standard BC steering should be tightest in the middle, and looser at the ends of travel as the sector shaft swings the peg slightly out of mesh. The taper on the pin and worm then gives some play at ends of travel.
Where in Germany are you? I live in 34537 Bad Wildungen, driving TC2626 since 1989 and have been through most of the everyday difficulties of TC ownership in that time. contact me if I can help further. Richard.

[Bernd Meyer]

Hello Richard,
thank you for your hints. I write this in english because friendly guys abroad might be interested in any solution as well.
I live in Hamburg, a bit far from your place. Specially when travelling for me means mostly using an autocamper all over europe.
The problem is hopefully going to be solved soon. I got the sector shaft rounded and its diameter increased by galvanic treatment. Then I adjusted the bushing with a reamer. No useless play at all - very nice feeling.
Now I´m waiting for the sector shafts seal from Moss. I expect the installation as a joy.
It´s always nice to get in contact with people with that much experience. My TC8122EXU got still some details to alter but with a glance on my wife step by step . . .
Anyway, I would like to get in touch again