Keith Scotch Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 I've recently acquired a lovely GT6 Mark 3. One or two issues to sort out the first being really 'vague' steering which I've discovered is due to a faulty rack to column shaft steering knuckle. Haven't had a good look yet but at least one of the securing bolts seems loose and the knuckle looks generally dodgy. Am I correct in thinking this part has been superseded by a UJ? If so, does it fit on without any other adjustments? I'm a newbie so sorry if this sounds a daft question! Second question is where do you recommend I go to for spares? I've used Rimmer Bros in the past. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul H Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 3 minutes ago, Keith Scotch said: I've recently acquired a lovely GT6 Mark 3. One or two issues to sort out the first being really 'vague' steering which I've discovered is due to a faulty rack to column shaft steering knuckle. Haven't had a good look yet but at least one of the securing bolts seems loose and the knuckle looks generally dodgy. Am I correct in thinking this part has been superseded by a UJ? If so, does it fit on without any other adjustments? I'm a newbie so sorry if this sounds a daft question! Second question is where do you recommend I go to for spares? I've used Rimmer Bros in the past. Cheers. My first port of call had been Canleys . Good prices , fast delivery and they know what they are talking about Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Scotch Posted October 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 Thanks Paul. I'll contact them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 If you want cheaper on a lot of items, try Paddocks or Fitchetts. A lot of parts come from the same manufacturer, but many intermediaries seem to have more overheads that require higher prices. Check around and compare prices before committing to buy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 the UJ is a straight fit you will have to raise the inner column a bit to pop it in the inner and outer column are collapsible a good pull will raise it without undoing ant supports and a good shove down will return it . always keep a gap between handwheel and switch cowl or you blow the horn on corners on both getting to the pinch bolt can be a fiddle as the joint is hidden behind the turret Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NonMember Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 2 hours ago, Pete Lewis said: on both getting to the pinch bolt can be a fiddle as the joint is hidden behind the turret It's sometimes easier to undo the bottom pinch bolt (the one on the rack) first, then slide the inner column up through the turret to get access to remove and refit the joint to the column, then push it back down through to attach to the rack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Scotch Posted October 1, 2020 Author Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted October 1, 2020 Report Share Posted October 1, 2020 I posted recently about the new steering UJ I bought (some time ago, from one of the above suppliers is my gut feeling) but it was so poor I very much doubt it would pass an MoT and was much worse than teh one I was replacing. The ONLY triumph supplier I would use for a steering UJ is Chris Witor. His are UK made, and just much better quality. And he is the cheapest supplier of this brand of UJ. https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=145377RM I can confirm this is the correct part for our cars, I now have one on my spitfire, and also on a friends Herald. Bother were good fit, the only "issue" is making sure you use the correct length pinch bolts. Too long and it can foul the suspension tower. (FWIW the really naff UJ had just 2 stake marks retaining each UJ cap. Bad batch? who knows. Worth saving £10? probably not) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Unless they have changed suppliers DO NOT buy a steering column UJ from Rimmers. The one I bought would have killed me it was terrible quality😡 Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 But: did you tell them you wanted it to work? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 9 minutes ago, Colin Lindsay said: But: did you tell them you wanted it to work? Wife bought it as birthday present then filed the splines down...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Lewis Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 im sure they were originally ex ford fiesta column UJ circa 2000 + quite a std off the shelf small UJ Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Lindsay Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 I've just done a sneaky search based on that, Pete, and it seems Ford Ka to 2008 or Ford Fiesta to 2002 looks the part: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Fiesta-steering-column-universal-joint/324310765901?hash=item4b826d914d:g:vvgAAOSwBxpfcGMl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain T Posted October 2, 2020 Report Share Posted October 2, 2020 Depends on the spline but anything OEM is going to be better than 90% of remanufacture parts. Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dick Twitchen Posted November 23, 2020 Report Share Posted November 23, 2020 On 01/10/2020 at 22:28, clive said: The ONLY triumph supplier I would use for a steering UJ is Chris Witor. His are UK made, and just much better quality. And he is the cheapest supplier of this brand of UJ. https://www.chriswitor.com/proddetail.php?prod=145377RM I can confirm this is the correct part for our cars, I now have one on my spitfire, and also on a friends Herald. Bother were good fit, the only "issue" is making sure you use the correct length pinch bolts. Too long and it can foul the suspension tower. To resurrect this thread I have just fitted the UJ recommended by Clive to my GT6 and it has transformed the steering. Having replaced the worn, original, knuckle with a UJ from James Paddock there was a slight improvement but after 12 months still not good and I convinced myself the steering rack was to blame. However, with a second pair of eyes to help, the splines were not gripping on the rack. The Chris Witor one is physically larger and I used some lower profile nyloc nuts to clear the suspension tower slot. Note that if you search the Witor web site the UJ is listed under Triumph 2000/2500 but I can confirm it fits a GT6, well mine at least! Dick 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteH Posted November 24, 2020 Report Share Posted November 24, 2020 Hi Now you have me worried?. As part of the PAS "conversion" in the 13/60 rebuild saga. I fitted the U-J courtesy of Rimmer. As yet I have not been able to "road test" as it is still very much a work in progress, but first impressions static test under full "power", where of a very good fit and it hardened up nicely. So maybe the alleged "quality" issues have been addressed?. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clive Posted November 24, 2020 Report Share Posted November 24, 2020 22 minutes ago, PeteH said: Hi Now you have me worried?. As part of the PAS "conversion" in the 13/60 rebuild saga. I fitted the U-J courtesy of Rimmer. As yet I have not been able to "road test" as it is still very much a work in progress, but first impressions static test under full "power", where of a very good fit and it hardened up nicely. So maybe the alleged "quality" issues have been addressed?. Pete You may or may not be lucky. The first unbranded UJ lasted a total of 25k or so before a little play became irritating. When I swapped to a new one, that play was probably doubled before driving anywhere. It was dreadful, but felt OK in my hand (later checked using a vice and a bar, all was very obvious) The witor item is very good though, and reports from elsewhere suggest it lasts well. That is what happens when a company at least tries to find good quality parts. Most retailers seem to have little regard for quality control in-house, and rely on customer feedback to find out if a batch is poor. Yes, they use a supplier, and quality varies from batch to batch. Its just teh world we live in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanT Posted August 18, 2021 Report Share Posted August 18, 2021 I’ve ordered the rubbers from Chris Witer and he assures me that Mick Dolphin has the screws to replace the burred off ones used on a 1500. I’ve pinged him to check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now