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 Installing Steering wheel drop bracket

 Created by: Derwood
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 Posted: Apr 26, 2021 10:53AM
malsal
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Yes he was not happy with the purchase and i believe he sold it on.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

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 Posted: Apr 25, 2021 11:32AM
oldminimover49
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That’s why l was asking


Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

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 Posted: Apr 25, 2021 09:09AM
Dan Moffet
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BIG AL:

The thread is from 2018, as is Derwood's last post.
Bugga, being new here (by that name at least) didn't notice it was an old thread.

The last I heard from Derwood was that he had a Mini and ended up being very discouraged by it.

.

"Hang on a minute lads....I've got a great idea."

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 Posted: Apr 25, 2021 06:14AM
oldminimover49
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Derwood

Did you ever get your mini from Lethbridge AB ?

Big AL

[email protected]

Niagara Ontario Canada

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 Posted: Apr 25, 2021 01:36AM
bugga
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There is only a fine lip on the original break off bolt but I found it rather easy to grip the rounded head with vise grips and unscrew the bolt from the special slotted nut that way, then replaced the special breakaway bolt with a normal hex head bolt the fitted the special slotted nut.

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 04:22PM
malsal
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thebluepotato
Quote:
Originally Posted by ve9aa
Darren, When I installed my drop bracket it came with a new bolt and NyLock washer I believe. Old one was 'headless'. 5 minutes with a dremel cut a nice slot in it, then a big standard screwdriver (and a small wrench on the other end) took it right out. toss in trash. make sure your legs clear the wheel as u get out of the car before firming everything back up. easy-peasy and almost a requirement when u buy a mini!!!
^^^ This right here...I bought one of those medium drop brackets that are one piece - like this one.  The problem here is that it 1) does not line up correctly - meaning it does not mount under the dash rail/in-between the foot peddle box progs correctly and therefore creates an angle for the rack and column - and 2) could not get my knees to pass under the steering wheel freely.  Went back to do drop to drive the mini like a school bus.
Has your Mini been changed from RHD to LHD or vise versa? If it has maybe the mounting holes were drilled incorrectly just a thought.
I have used the lowering brackets but find that i tend to set them at the closest point to the top as further down makes it difficult to exit the car.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 03:40PM
Derwood
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Mike , StevestonMotorCo, Spitz, and Basil, that’s for all the advice. While I will be saving your link for future use StevestonMC , I plan on doing as Spitz suggests and buying the “ usual “ stainless steel unit that sells for 10$ and up. I will be sure to make sure I can slip behind the wheel without tearing chunks out of my leg etc Mike; thanks for reminding me not to just lower it all the way and tighten it up. :-)

Cheers and thanks friends! Darren.

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 02:29PM
thebluepotato
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ve9aa
Darren, When I installed my drop bracket it came with a new bolt and NyLock washer I believe. Old one was 'headless'. 5 minutes with a dremel cut a nice slot in it, then a big standard screwdriver (and a small wrench on the other end) took it right out. toss in trash. make sure your legs clear the wheel as u get out of the car before firming everything back up. easy-peasy and almost a requirement when u buy a mini!!!
^^^ This right here...I bought one of those medium drop brackets that are one piece - like this one.  The problem here is that it 1) does not line up correctly - meaning it does not mount under the dash rail/in-between the foot peddle box progs correctly and therefore creates an angle for the rack and column - and 2) could not get my knees to pass under the steering wheel freely.  Went back to do drop to drive the mini like a school bus.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Basil - 1974 Mini 1000 /// THE BLOG: www.thebluepotato.net/blog
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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 01:06PM
Spitz
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Or....for $130 less

https://www.minimania.com/part/BG5101/Classic-Austin-Mini-Cooper-steering-Column-Adjuster-Lowering-drop-Bracket

 

"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May

"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge

 

 

 

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 01:00PM
StevestonMotorCo
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By far the easiest way we have found is to spin the bolt out with a sharp chisel punch. After removing them by both cutting the head off the bolt, and also by grinding a slot, this is far and away the easiest method. Also if you don't already have a drop bracket... shameless plug

 https://www.stevestonmotorco.com/product-page/drop-bracket

*Purposeful Parts For Select Classic Cars*

www.stevestonmotorco.com

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 12:34PM
ve9aa
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Darren,

When I installed my drop bracket it came with a new bolt and NyLock washer I believe. Old one was 'headless'. 5 minutes with a dremel cut a nice slot in it, then a big standard screwdriver (and a small wrench on the other end) took it right out.

toss in trash.

make sure your legs clear the wheel as u get out of the car before firming everything back up.

easy-peasy and almost a requirement when u buy a mini!!!

  ~ 30 minutes in a Mini is more therapeutic than 3 sessions @ the shrink. ~

  Mike  Cool  NB, Canada   

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 11:04AM
Spitz
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Hopefully not the same company that came from AB to pick up an E-Type from me this summer.
They showed up with an enclosed truck ( fine ), had to get a flatbed to take it to their location just outside my town.

They opened the door to reveal about 12 feet of remaining space....LOL

Had to send them away until two weeks later.

 

"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May

"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge

 

 

 

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 10:26AM
Derwood
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Thank you gents. Don ( bluebox ) had mentioned about loosening the steering rack so that it can rotate while the column is being adjusted for height with the new drop bracket. So thanks for reconfirming that for me Spitz. Malsal, the bolt issue is the answer I had hoped to find : I’ll use an ordinary bolt of proper thread and length , instead of paying the premium for anouther sheer bolt. Thanks very much for the help.

Tipping my hat to you kind friends ; Darren.

PS- I’m starting to get peaved with the selling dealer because my car is still in Lethbridge. I’ll give him a couple more days ( don’t want to be a nag...I’ll give him a bit more slack as I think the delay is with the transport company....trying to get a full load ( ? ). But I’ll rest a lot easier when I get confirmation that my car is loaded and heading in my direction. But if it’s not on a truck by the end of the week I’m going to have to figure out the best way to get things moving.... Beginning to get sleepless in Charlottetown. Peace friends.

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 09:22AM
malsal
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the shear bolt usually breaks off when you try to remove it then it is up to vice grips or cut a slot in it and use a screwdriver to remove it.
Just get a standard 5/16" nut and bolt to replace it.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 08:03AM
Spitz
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If you're changing it, may as well install a new one

One of the most important things to do when installing a drop bracket, is to loosen the 4 nuts holding the u-bolts of the steering rack.
You'll see these when you pull the carpet back.  Don't remove them, just loosen.
This allows the rack to rotate slightly as you drop the column.  If you don't do this it'll put undue stress/wear on the splines where the rack and column meet

 

"Everybody should own a MINI at some point, or you are incomplete as a human being" - James May

"WET COOPER", Partsguy1 (Terry Snell of Penticton BC ) - Could you send the money for the unpaid parts and court fees.
Ordered so by a Judge

 

 

 

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 Posted: Jan 29, 2018 07:36AM
Derwood
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Hello friends, I am going to install a steering wheel drop bracket on my Mini ( ‘89 Mayfair ) and when I found the bracket the supplier advises that a new sheer bolt and special lock nut be ordered with the bracket. Is this really necessary, or will a normal bolt,nut and lock-washer do the trick ? Thanks for any help offered; Darren.