QuestionHi Jim, I have a major problem with my steering column and I hope you can help!
I bought a new steering wheel for my 1974 Spitfire 1500 and the boss (Mountney MB029) which is the recommended boss doesn't fit!
The old boss on my car has an inside diameter of 21mm tapering to 18mm. The MB029 boss is 19mm tapering to 15mm.
The company that sold me the MB029 say that the boss I bought is the Spitfire boss. So obviously I don't have an original Spitfire steering column!
Do you know if the Spitfire has different steering columns? I live in the UK and I was wondering perhaps the steering column is American?
Do you (or anyone out there) know of a boss that would fit a 21mm to 18mm steering column! Same size inside grooves etc just the hole diameter needs to be larger !
Hope you can help,
Kevin.
AnswerKevin,
The late Spitfires (1978-1980) used a larger diameter steering shaft, similar to what you describe. It's likely that someone replaced the original steering column with a later unit.
A quick test is to see where the ignition key is installed. The early columns had the key under the dash in a
A good online resourse is the Rimmer Brothers catalog for the Spitfire. The steering columns are illustrated about 1/2 down the page.
Link:
http://www.rimmerbros.co.uk/rimmer/triumph/spitfire/steering
If you do have the late Spitfire steering column and it has the original 14" leather wrapped steering wheel, you can reuse the hub from that wheel as it is a Mountney unit.
Cheers,
Jim
