Need help with steering linkage

I'm helping out a buddy to try to bring back this Sebring that was semi-completed 30 years ago but has been sitting since then and never seen the road.  

It has several issues that need addressing.

The first is the steering.  It seems the original builder didn't know exactly what he was doing or decided to used a different set of parts.  As you can see from the attached pictures that the steering shaft is at a severe angle and the builder actually had to cut into the fender well to make it fit.  Also the steering wheel is at an angle to the dash.  I am at a loss why this is.

It would help immensely if someone could post pictures of their steering setup as well as provide some feedback on why it might be the steering on this car is setup the way it is.

Thanks.

I've tried uploading pictures of the FUBARed steering linkage, but the system won't let me and I don't know what I am doing wrong.

This is the error message I getting when trying to upload 695k file.

Could not upload file : exceeded total storage space. (Free space : 0)

Hello
See if these will help any, I just had all my Rack and Pinion Bushings Replaced and the Steering linkage reset.  The best that you can do is to get the tires even and then stab the splines closest to the having the wheel straight.  Mine was a little off but when I had the alignment done it was back to being on Center.

Hope this helps !!!

Take Care,
Craig

georgia j wrote:I've tried uploading pictures of the FUBARed steering linkage, but the system won't let me and I don't know what I am doing wrong.

This is the error message I getting when trying to upload 695k file.

Could not upload file : exceeded total storage space. (Free space : 0)

Try this: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Thank you all for your responses. This is extremely helpful.

Here are the pictures of the steering as you can see the angles for the shaft are severe. Also the steering column is set at an angle to the dash.

I am not sure that the rack and pinion is even the right one as it looks different.

More to come as I dig into this. Looks like I've got my work cut out.


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That's just weird. Never seen a cutout like that.
Your steering column is sticking out too far from the firewall. Should be in the neighborhood of 4-1/2".
Maximum recommended angle on the joints is 30 degrees. It might be possible to make that one work if it's safe - can't tell from here. If not, Ididit or Flaming River have lots of stuff that works.
I'm going to guess that's not one of the columns Classic Roadsters used. I have the Ford column and it's not that. Also doesn't look like any Chevette column i've seen. Maybe someone here recognizes it.

Here's a couple more pics, not sure if they'll help or not.

This is the Chevette Steering column .   [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.][/url]
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If it were mine I would remove the entire column and look for obvious causes such as the brackets that mount the column under the dash are welded crooked or the hole in the firewall that the column passes through is in the wrong place. Once the column is out you could also take measurements of the column length and see if it is simply too long to work in your application, again because it may be the wrong column for the Healey. From there you can begin to formulate a plan.

Besides obviously being a safety issue, a well designed and functioning steering system has a huge impact on the fit and feel for the driver. I personally wouldn't live with a cobbled together system using used parts that don't fit well. It would be worth the expense to buy a new custom column and steering components that fit exactly for the intended driver. You can get everything you need at Flaming River for around $1000.

Thanks, I'll give them a look.