Thanks for your replies, my car is a 1968 Mk 3 Spitfire.
Pete,
The manual I have shows an earth wire bridging the universal joint, I have removed the radiator to get a better view, but cannot see any evidence of a wire, or there having ever been a wire. However there does seem to be a piece of bare wire around the joint, but could this not be the wires shown in the manual for securing the nuts to the bolts?
Also, as a click can be heard from the old relay, would that not confirm that the steering column is properly earthed?
Roger,
The variation in the numbering on the new relay was confusing me. Thanks for the above, will try again tomorrow