UncleMaz

The steering wheel turns and not the wheels and the wheels turn up to the shaft at the firewall. What am I looking at replacing?

Admittedly, I do not have the turn switch, cover, etc. off on the steering wheel hub, just the steering wheel itself. Thanks, Michael

Mrmerlin

it sounds like the flexible coupling has failed or the coupling at the rack has been disconnected

Flexible coupling is visible where the steering shaft comes out of the firewall.
The rack coupling can be seen from under the car

UncleMaz

Thanks Mr. Merlin. I checked the coupling at the rack and it is connected and functioning. Must be the flexible coupling (firewall) then. Michael

UncleMaz

Had a chance to check out my steering issues this past weekend. As Mrmerlin suggested, the flex joint at the firewall is the culprit. I have been looking at stock pics of the intermediate shaft (see below/area in question), and it appears that the intermediate shaft is solidly connected to the forward u-joint (just outside of firewall). On my intermediate shaft, the u-joint is connected with splines and pressure joint. Problem is, there is no adjustment screw on the front u-joint. It just spins.

If I remove the steering wheel and the circlip on the steering and separate the intermediate shaft from the rack, will I be able to remove/pull the intermediate shaft through the firewall? Also, is it common to have the type of u-joint that I have or should it be solid? Thanks. Michael

Mrmerlin

you can remove the shaft from the inside if the pod is off and you remove the steering column the column is held in with 3 bolts next to the height adjuster and a spring

UncleMaz

Thanks MM.

Mrmerlin

I meant to say the steering column housing .
If your upper steering shaft bearing has ever failed put a towel down to catch the bearings that fall out of the bottom when you remove the housing.
Also to remove the E clip that holds the shaft in put the steering wheel nut back on and pull up on the shaft

UncleMaz

Thanks again.

UncleMaz

Just to update this thread: The steering intermediate shaft was not an original part and was separated at the firewall (section pictured above). My 80 also had 4 different keys for all of the locks and ign. So, I located a complete steering shaft with all matching locks; from ignition rack to the steering rack and replaced this weekend. As an added bonus, since the Euro 78 has no keys, I plan on using the ignition rack from the 80 in the 78 since I have a key for that one.

Thanks for the advice on RR.