Tonight I have been mostly...

[Adrian Southgate]

refitting the pedal box, steering column etc to the Sierra. Moved it all around and now I'm happy it's as straight as its going to get. I need to make a new mounting point for the top of the column as it doesn't line up with those dutton tab brackets anymore. The column will need to be shortened by about 9 1/2 inches and the tip triangulated, then a new shaft made with a splined UJ on the lower end.and a triangle bracket UJ at the top. 

Then set about repairing all the old holes in the body, will post some pics later as there are SO many holes that won't be used again as everything is swapping sides with the new engine. Ideally I would like to skin the bulkhead in ally or stainless but that would be another nights work and it's against the clock now.

[Adrian Southgate]

You can see the gap here.

If the shaft is shortened then I can fit the dog leg link like the one in the Legerra (which you can't see because its under the alternator) it is just a shorten and shape on the main column, nothing fancy.

You can see the old hole on the right, well holes really as there must have been a couple of attempts to get it right. Patched them up a bit (not finished yet) but the white pipe is the new hole which now comes down between the pedals which means the column is in a straight line. I think I might have to re-run those brake pipes too, bit scary just swinging in the breeze...

[Adrian Southgate]

Mike, I hate to tell you this but I'm from Kent mate...
but you are right, you can't take it with you, especially if you haven't got it to take.

[Adrian Southgate]

Shortening and then reducing the size and shape without adding any extra metal won't stop me changing the lower bush and on the shoestring budget I have for this Sierra I can't afford to start changing any major components. My parts spend so far is £274 including the Sierra... and i'm trying to get it done for less than £500 including the MOT. I need all my disposable income for the legerra and the phaeton project.

[Big Vern]

If you hack the MK1 column about like so many of the Phaeton ones have been then you can't replace the lower column bush. Found this out the hard way which is why I changed completely and have gone with Triumph parts right through.

[Big Vern]

Just had a though, isn't the MK3 Capri column shorter as it has a dog leg lower shaft to comply with crash/safety RE colapsable columns.

[Adrian Southgate]

the stock mk1 column is way too long. I now have a differential of four inches sideways between the steering column and the rack and the standard end of the column is nearly in the same place as the rack.

I can shorten the column and make it |> shaped to fit in one of my UJ's just need another splined UJ to weld to the other end. I'll post a picture tomorrow, itll be so much easier. I have a spare column if it all goes wrong but it seems pretty straight forward apart from the welding bit.

[Big Vern]

Ade,

TR7 lower column TKC1084 from Rimmer bros will go straight on the bottom of a stock MK1 steering column (and MK2 column if the spines are the same as the rack end.) then the group 1 u/j at the rack end.

If I get time tomorrow I'll measure the length of the TR7 lower shaft. Will save messin around with the upper column.