For the benefit of anyone wondering what I was waffling on about here are a couple of pictures to hopefully make things clearer:
- Lower column
- Lower column.jpg (53.24 KiB) Viewed 6798 times
For the K-series Metro Rover added in a couple of U/Js at the bottom of the column. The rubber coupling to the rack had the holes on the same PCD (pitch centre diameter) as on the old A-series Metros, so this will fit directly onto the existing pinion coupling.
- Rubber Coupling
- Coupling.jpg (55.77 KiB) Viewed 6798 times
The later rubber coupling has the extra safety feature of the metal loops over the column yoke fittings and these were joined by large rivets at the factory - as shown above. However, if the rubber coupling is showing its age you can cut off the rivets and replace it with a new rubber coupling held on by bolts (M8 high tensile).