Steering Column Top Cowl Foul.

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:08 am

I'm having a bit of trouble with my new 5th gen's steering column top cowling. It's fowling on the underside of the dash/dial surround and not allowing the steering column to be raised fully. Hopefully you can see from these picture, where I tried to hold the camera in the same place...

This is it up as far as it will go with the top cowl on (The top cowl is pushing up on the underside of the dial surround)...

This is it up as far as it will go mechanically without the cowl...

Then this is it fully lowered with the top cowl on, but with the dial surround removed so you can see...

And this is it raised with the top cowl on and it also fouls on the dash structure

...

It's got me! I was hoping the 4th gen could come to my rescue again, but the 4th gen's is bigger still. (5th gen's on the right)...

the top corner of the cowling (The edge nearest the hole) fouls on the underside of the dial surround as well.

It's almost as if the steering column has rake adjustment as well and needs to be pulled out further.

Any ideas?

Does any one have a comparible picture of a top cowl they know fits?

Post by **Lude-dude** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:24 am

exploded diagram such as the lings site or manual might help shed some light on it

wrong bolt possibly?

not sure the actual cowling is wrong one

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:29 am

Even if I removed the bolts completely it still fouls on the the dash structure and the underside of the dials surround.

The problem is that edge on the cowl nearest the LED hole. If the edge was nearer the hole then it would clear everything. The cowl defintely pics up on the lower cowl perfectly though. It's as if the steering column needs to be lengthened towards me

Post by **Gayno** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:42 am

NafemanNathan wrote:It's as if the steering column needs to be lengthened towards me

Have you tried stroking and caressing it?!

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:51 am

I knew someone wouldn't be able to resist

Post by **Vtecmec** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:02 am

NafemanNathan wrote:It's almost as if the steering column has rake adjustment as well and needs to be pulled out further.

Or the dash is too far forward and needs to go back?

Post by **Lude-dude** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:15 am

the dash might be out slightly

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 11:41 am

I'll definitely check that.

89 UKDM BA4 4WS (resto job!) · Post by **wurlycorner** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:17 pm

Good idea about the dash - it's hardly as if it's escaped other 'successful' modifications, after all!!!

Post by **NafemanNathan** » Fri Mar 28, 2014 1:29 pm

wurlycorner wrote:it's hardly as if it's escaped other 'successful' modifications, after all!!!

Didn't quite follow this