Steering column

Are the steering column to wheel splines different on the later models compared to the earlier models. I know the steering wheel changed from the proper black 4spoke to a soft car like version.



Did the column change at the same time. Or will my proper steering wheel fit a later model shaft?

No it won’t. The splines are different. You will need to swap the steering column if you want to use a later steering wheel.

I like the earlier thinner wheel

flat said:

No it won’t. The splines are different. You will need to swap the steering column if you want to use a later steering wheel.

I like the earlier thinner wheel

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That was what I thought. I do not want to swap to a later wheel I have the opposite problem. The later bulkhead I am using for spares has a later steering column for the soft fat steering wheel and I want to keep my earlier wheel as, like you, I prefer it.

As I already have a thread discussing the steering column I have another question. Is the lower column rebuildable? I have the later version (picture below from ebay) can this bit be rebuilt/replace the rubber or do you need a complete new column? As might be expected mine is a little worse for wear and plenty of the rubber in the joint has burned away. If it cannot be repaired I will add a lower column to the parts list along with the early model upper column!

I don't know about yours but about four years ago mine (on a 2006 TD5 model) started to seize and I looked into whether you could buy the components separately. I couldn't find the components for sale individually so I ended up buying the whole thing including the universal joints, rubber joint and sliding section. I don't recall it being terribly expensive.

I expect the fire will have boiled all the grease out of the universal joints as well. Mine doesn't appear to have any means of greasing the bearings so they're sealed for life.