Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

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Slow Smoke Moke
Posts: 67
Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2018 14:36

Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Received a new steering column cowl recently. Upper and lower halves.

The distance between the 2 screw holes on each half is 175mm. Same as the old parts. However the distance between the corresponding hole centres on the steering tube is 185mm. That's a big difference.

On the steering tube there's an upper and lower bracket for U nuts, at the steering wheel end. The other end simply has 2 holes drilled into the tube. 4 self tapping screws complete the fixtures.

So far as I can see from the parts manual there's nothing missing.

1. Is the solution to drill 2 new holes in the steering tube?
2. Or drill 2 new holes in the plastic steering cowls, resulting in 2 spare holes in a brand new item?
2. If so why was it wrong in the first place?

Thoughts and advice welcomed.

Thanks,

Nick
Last edited by Slow Smoke Moke on Sun Jun 07, 2020 11:32, edited 1 time in total.
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grantourer
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Re: Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

Post by grantourer »

Hi, has your Moke had a later steering lock fitted? as the cowls are different?
Regards, Graham & Judith
1981 Aussie Moke
1989 Portuguese Moke
1979 Clubman Estate
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Slow Smoke Moke
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Joined: Fri Jul 27, 2018 14:36

Re: Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Hello Graham. No, no steering lock.

I'm considering drilling some new holes in the steering tube this afternoon. It appears the same as the parts manual suggests.
Nigel(no top)Sykes
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Re: Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

Post by Nigel(no top)Sykes »

If the new cowl is the same as the old then it begs the question Is the steering column the correct one?
Come on summer
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Slow Smoke Moke
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Re: Mk2 Moke - Steering cowl won't fit

Post by Slow Smoke Moke »

Sorted.

The mounting brackets near the steering wheel were bent out of true.

Solution was to:

a) Screw both upper and lower cowls to the mounting brackets at the steering wheel end, and make sure they were clipped together properly.
b) Wiggle them around a bit to get them as close to where they should be as a whole.
c) Cut the end of a cotton bud and put a dab of white paint on the end.
d) Put it through each of the holes at the lower end to make a mark on the steering tube.

e) Remove the cowls.
f) Examine the difference between where the paint marks are and where the actual holes are.
g) Now adjust the upper mounting brackets by the corresponding amount, a bit of tap and bend!
h) The relationship between the holes on the steering tube and the mounting rackets should be back to what they should be and it all fits.

Best,

N
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