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I acquired a 1967 Jaguar 420 and the steering wheel will go up and down about an inch. How does one get this free play out of the steering column? I have factory power assisted steering,
Hi GCHAIT,
It sounds like your steering column bearings have dried up and fallen out. There either a plastic or rubber type material. From the parts book the they are C23593 and 23592.
Not those, although those are probably shot too, there's a plastic (probably nylon) bushing on the bottom of the steering column inside the car that's shot, that needs replacing.
I repaired mine with some JB Weld meant for plastic and it seems to have taken to the nylon quite well.
The description appears to me to be describing that the adjustable column locking collar is slack. If this locking collar is slack the column will move in and out, on the contrary if the plastic bushes are worn the column can be moved left and right. Try tightening the column locking collar.
If you do decide to replace the column bushes then I suggest you ensure that you have a horn repair kit available, you are likely to need it. Barrett does usually have the kit in stock.
It is also a job that is a little difficult without a second pair of hands.