//www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005/s0011/FR2561PL

Yes, this does look like it would indeed be short enough to be a relativly easy fix. The pinch bolt can hopefully be aligned to sit in the groove in the rack, and while one is grinding / turning off the old sleeve, it'd be simple to grind a small groove into the column to act as a stop as well.

I consider this important, as pulling up on the wheel, no matter how tight you have your top column tube fastened, is basically pulling up on the rack / UJ...

 

 

I have just managed to find this 9/16"-36 X 9/16"-36 universal joint from Flaming River: //www.flamingriver.com/index.php/products/c0005/s0011/FR2561PL

Seems that this will be a simple solution to joining the splined output shaft from the rack to the splined lower steering shaft.

 

Is this still available? I'm in Chattanooga, Tennessee

 

Cheers, Dr Phil

Well I can chime in here since I have personal experience. Last year when I was driving the Mini I broke the steering column (driving with a steering wheel that spins like a spinning top will put some streaks in your underwear). I later found out that the steering column had been put in at a slightly off angle and over time wore away the splines. I was shocked to find out that you couldn't just replace a simple piece but would have to have a new steering column entirely and potentially rack and pinion! Anyway I came across the part in Australia and no one including the folks in Australia could tell me if their part (spline end) would work for all of the Mini years since different years had different columns (especially later models). Even part experts in the UK couldn't tell me. Nevertheless I bought the fairly pricey spline end. You have to saw off of the end of your existing column and solder their spline end on. To my delight the part fit (critical it goes on straight!). So I can conclude with confidence that their spline end works for all Minis in all years. So it is quite a relief otherwise one can be screwed. Good luck!

And here it is. This evening I tried it on a new rack and the spline is correct!  It's a very nice quality piece, although it uses a set screw with a jam-nut rather than a pinch-bolt to secure it to the splined shaft. This particular one has the 3/4" DD steering coupler on the other end. I believe many different combinations are possible.

This won't be a replacement for the stock item as you would have to modify the lower column to connect it. But the stock item in every classic Mini starts just below the horn button! If yours gets damaged, this is an easy fix that lets you save just about everything else. For a custom installation where this post started, this coupler allows easy adaptability of the Mini steering rack.

I like the fact that it has a U-joint.  It makes the installation of my Tilt Steering Kit so much more flexible, no longer limited to the precise arc of travel allowed by loosening the steering rack mounting u-bolts. This can be a serious safety issue even with the stock column. It is a very long lever starting at the steering wheel. If it does not line up perfectly to the stub shaft, it will operate in a bind during every rotation. That's how splines get ground away, eventually leading to loss of steering if not noticed.

 

It has a lock, cover and turn signal but no key.  The steering wheel is trashed but I know you have a bunch.

does it have the lock on it?

I have a complete column from a '72 Mini 1000 free for the asking.  Where are you located?

I like the tilt column  thats really nice

OK, here's the scoop!  I cut the pinch bolt off a Mark I shaft to build the first TILT steering column for my 66. Here's the story from last year on my CooperRoadMini blog:

//cooperroadmini.com/2011/04/22/the-biggest-improvement-for-the-classic-mini-cooper/

 I've been looking for a better solution for the next version and I should know in a day or two if I've found it! I just ordered this from Summit Racing:

//www.summitracing.com/parts/fla-fr1762dd

If correct, this is a 36 spline 9/16 on one end, a universal joint (BONUS! I was not happy using a solid pinch bolt on the rack splines- too much risk of binding and chewing up the splines), and a pretty standard 3/4 inch DD steering coupler on the other end.

I looked into the Aussie item. Might work too, but more expensive, no u-joint so harder to adapt, and much further to swim! This one ships from Reno, so I'll have it tomorrow... less than 75 bucks!

I figured that  the center would be the problem. i work with a machinist if someone sends me a email with the specs i can ask him if its something he can do.

Thank you guys. I have sent a message to Australia in hopes those are in stock. I would have never been able to locate that part on my own.

I have put a modified Mini rack in an old Alfa Romeo race car and need the column collar to finish the project. When the idea first took form I was driving a 73 Innocenti 1300GT and looked there first when in need of a very narrow rear steer rack and pinion.

The Innocenti was sold last year :-( but I still drive the 02 Cooper I bought new) Mini enthusiast rule!

Milling and/or turning is the easy part, it's that 9/16" SAE inside spline that's the problem.
Without shelling out $$$$ for a spline broach, that leaves wire cutting as an option, but it's slow and costly. I got quoted for a bunch of these (CNC machined then wire cut the splines), but found it was way cheaper to buy from from the link I showed above.

i am suprised no one makes these on a milling machine(after market)

Make sure the spline in a donor column is good, or it's a waste of time.
New lower splined end for a Mini column shaft is NLA both in UK and from our host, however they are available in Australia.

//www.minisport.com.au/prod2222.htm and yes, they will ship overseas.

Sorry Curtis - No Columns here

Highly recommended buyer- Sent Paypal immediately after I proved my parts were what he was looking for.

Care to help us understand what this special project is?

Goodluck

Does anybody have a junk steering column? I only need the bottom part of the shaft with the clamp that holds the steering shaft to the rack input shaft. Hack saw would be fine if easy to remove/ship. Will buy a whole used column if I have to.

Do to the nature of things on the internet it would be great if I could pay via paypal or if we had friends in common or? Crooks please do not reply.

Special thanks to this forum and the one responder who provided me with the original tie rods I needed for this custom project. Very nice and helpful individual and group.

Curtis Wood curtis AT thiscrazygarage DOT com four17-849-467three