Steering column play - quick release joint

[CtrMint]

Hi, 

I've been looking at the steering column play this evening.  No matter what I do I can't get rid of the play.

The video shows the play, yes the grub and nut aren't present,, but this just makes the play easier to show, the same play exists when the grub and nut in place. 

No matter what I do I can't remove the play.  I've been installing the clamp, making sure it's dead center, tightening the clamp bolts.  I've replaced the spring washer etc.   Then added the grub screw and nut.

Is it possible the quick release aperture is too open?

The clamp plate looks ok.

Any advice really appreciated with this. 

 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

Hi Mark, the grub screw I have has a flat base (as opposed to the usual style that bites into the clamping surface) and prevents rotation/rocking of the inner shaft when tightened. Assuming the parts are all degreased on the clamping surfaces, when the grub screw is fully tightened there is no free play on mine.

[ScottR400D]

Yes, it will do that with no grub screw in. The whole point is that if you crash and get thrown onto the wheel the column will collapse a little as the top part slides across the grub screw.

As James says though, the grub screw correctly locked down prevents radial movement. It's hard to see how you could get that play with the screw in place. 

[aerobod - near CYYC]

One thing I did notice with my clamp though is that the grub screw was quite a tight fit in the clamp thread, so did require quite a bit of torque for it to completely clamp on the inner steering shaft, I needed about 20Nm on the allen key bit to seat it properly, before tightening the lock nut. I would also clean the clamp inner surface and outer column tube surface with degreaser, to ensure friction is not compromised for the clamp.

[Roger Ford]

Try not fully tightening the side clamping bolts, then do the  grub screw, then the nut around the grub screw, then finally tighten the side clamping bolts. 

Sometimes the shaft can wear quite badly so the standard clamping method doesn't fully work. Worst case you may need to take the whole thing apart and machine or file the inner section flat, then take some material off the clamp section as well.

[CtrMint]

I degreased everything thoroughly, then followed Roger's advice. 

I started with grub screw just poking out the bottom of the clamp thread, then went around tightening everything gradually.  That seems to have brought everything together with sufficient force to hold the columns secure.

Thanks