The control bracket tube (to which the disc appears to be welded!) in secured in the steering box by the big nut at the very bottom of the box. Unfortunately it is also prevented from coming out by the inner and outer steering tubes.

Do you have a copy of Woodrow's Big Red Book? Armed with the instructions and drawing in Section G, it MAY be possible to dismantle the box in situ and pull everything out through the top.

Good luck!

Rick

Location: Deepest Norfolk

Yes have Mr Woodrow's book. As you suggest all I can do is dismantle everything I possibly can and then see what will come out. Happily I don't have many obstructions being a special and the fact the engine is out as well. Many thanks for your suggestions, if you have any further thought please let me know.

Location: Devon

Hi Nick, In an earlier post you said that you've removed the control tubes from the column - I don't understand because you can't withdraw the tubes as they're fixed to the adv/retard disc. If you've undone the clamp bolt all you need to do is to ease open the clamp (do it gently as it's alloy) and you should be able to draws out the disc and tubes together. There are normally two levers at the bottom of the column, and the horn wire...

I removed the two inner control tubes, basically because I could. There are two locating screws each side of the central disc that release the control levers and attached tubes. The alloy clamp is undone and I have tried gently easing it apart however the disc remains very firmly attached. I have tried twisting it and indeed hitting hit but it is very solidly stuck.

Location: Devon

Nick, have you applied heat to the alloy disc? Could be worth a try.

I have (when very young) managed to wreck the stator tube by twisting it ferociously. It ripped apart at the big nut at the bottom, in a spiral....I am not proud of this, I just thought you should know!

Regards,
Stuart

I suppose that's one way of doing it!! No not tried heat yet. Is then tube it is attached to, steel? How is it attached to the nut at the bottom?

Location: Devon

Yes, steel tube. Someone may know better but I think it might be brazed into the nut.
Regards,
Stuart

As discussed in an earlier posting the control bracket tube is a tight fit in the brass thrust piece in the steering box. It is a steel tube and too much twisting is likely to break it at the bottom. The diecast control bracket is replaceable and I think it would be better to break off the stuck one and not damage the tube.

Tony.

Location: Malvern, Melbourne, Australia.

Thanks very sound advice. I think ishould stop the twisting and go for the levering.

Location: Devon

Think you're right - the softly-softly approach is obviously not going to work.

I'd start by driving a tapered wedge into the split in the clamp and seeing if that has any effect.

Rick

Location: Deepest Norfolk

SUCCESS - a large right angled screw driver with a large ring spanner hooked through it making a tool about 18" long and twisted against the steering wheel nut with a number of obligatory grunts. Damage not too bad - part of the clamp has broken and part of the end of the tube seems to have delaminated and stuck to the alloy of the disc, but not a disaster. However if anyone knows the whereabouts not a replacement alloy ign/gas disc please let me know. Thanks for all the suggestions.

Location: Devon

Cherished suppliers keep the Gas/ignition control plate. It's part No BM128 in the A7Components catalogue.

Location: Melrose, Scottish Borders

Thanks for that.

Location: Devon