wightie

guys,

just got my car back from its MOT and one of the things its failed on is:

column mech/rack not locking in position

mechanic wasnt there to ask though i shall be tomorrow but i cant see that the actual rack isnt locking in position as that doesnt make sense. i cant turn my wheels till they hit the car or 180 degrees Sourire

it got me thinking that perhaps he means the adjustable height mechanism. if you push down on it firmly you can move the column down with the locking arm locked. should it do this or should it remain firmly inplace no matter how much pressure (within reason) you apply?

just didnt want to go barking down the road of replacing the rack if it wasnt it.

anyone got any ideas ref what he may mean and how to correct the adjustable mech if indeed it is this.


also a second point was :
offside headlamp no pattern.

what does this mean exactly, bulbs seem to work ok and there doesnt appear to be anything wrong with the lens or the interior reflector, its not discoloured or flaking.

any thoughts, things to check?

THE RADMAN

iTrader: (2)

you sure he doesnt mean the steering lock? if its the column moving up /down you can normally tighten up the nut so it grips better

wightie

im going to go past and ask tomorrow but was hoping that perhaps it meant something to someone else

i just typed what it said on the MOT fail sheet:
column mech/rack not locking in position.

i couldnt see how this could refer to the rack itself as when does this lock in position?

MikeyXR2i

For the headlamp situation, got to another garage and just ask em to check the lights with there equipment, MOT'iers tend to pick on headlamp alignments.

wightie

thanks for the replies guys,

checked the headlight bulb today and is was in slightly poorly, adjusted so hopefully that will be it, may just get new bulbs anyways. its a fine excuse for blue tinged ones

went back to the garage to go over it anyways.

you guys were right ref the lamps, he said it was probably just the bulb and nothing much, easily sorted out.

the steering was a fail because when he yanked on it it moved forward out of the socket. i took this to mean that the wheel and the inner shaft was pulling through the outer and perhaps had come loose at the knuckle inside the engine bay.
got home and pulled and low and behold it did move.......but only on the adjustable up/down forward/back piece. grrrrr.
anyways, ive tightened it up somewhat and will explain when it goes back.

just need to change out top mounts and the bulkhead panel which ford so eloquently calls, air chamber closing panel (section A04.020 Cowl/panel and related parts, part 11)