steering column too long?
 

Could some of you guys take a look at this as I think my steering wheel is too close to the drivers seat. The seat is as far back as possible.
Its an adjustable steering column and is as far forward as possible.
Do I need a none adjustable, need to modify mounting position, am I missing something or is that just the way they are?
Is it always this awkward to get in and out?
Only ever been in one roadster but that was a long time ago.


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That looks about right compared to mine. I step in and then slide down the seat until I hit the pedals.
The way round it is a smaller steering wheel (after Iva obv)
This is a shot of a rather tasty caterham from stoneleigh last year and you can see how tight it is.

Thanks, that's settled my mind.
For some reason I was expecting to be able to step onto the floor rather than seat.

I'm guessing that the last time you got in a 7 you got into the passenger seat?

That must be what I'm thinking of cos I remember stepping in and the aluminium floor bowed slightly.

The base of the scuttle sits at the upright tube and angles forward ~10-15degress. So if the wheel was much further forward the controls would foul the dash.

The Adjustable column does however sit a bit further back than the standard one only amout 1CM, never realy liked the later setup felt more cramped.

I could try and measure it of my two cars tomorrow.

TT

Sorry what do you mean by later setup?

I guess i was just very surprised at how tight it is, and I'm not exactly tall or on the larger side.

fixed Pre 90 vrs 90 onward adjustable

I can step into mine standing on the floor, that said my seats are pretty upright/short:

Steering coloumn mount is too high,it should be in the bulkhead plate above pedal mount plate,that would raise lower edge of wheel 2/3 ins 50/150mm

Flyerncle is right in what he says the column is intended to go between TR8+9, be under TR8 and pass through the foot well bulkhead. That said it may cause you some problems when it comes to your engine mounts and your steering shaft extension. Although looking at the pics again it looks as though you had the steering shaft passing through the bulkhead at some point already and changed it?

Yeah that's right... why was that again.
I think it gave clearance for the standard zetec inlet.

Yeah I also had seen the bearing mounted in that position on other cars and preferred the look of it.
Could always change back if it would give a bit more room.

One thing you could do if you have not already made the engine mounts is to forget the boxes to mount the rubbers and weld plates direct to chassis and make up mounts to match if you get what I mean.

I think I will have to have a re-think on the column bearing mount and may go back to the standard route under TR8.
I didn't like how where the column passes through the foot plate, if the column was central in the cut-out it was being pulled over to the engine.
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Now that the engine mounts are in place I will have another go at the column, it's hard to make out the inlet position but the engine mount looks fine.
Yeah flyerncle, is this how you mean.
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Yes exactly that,if you look through the threads on here there are some nice plenum chambers knocking about or make your own and replace that plastic pig of a manifold.

Or you could mod the column by putting another u/j and mount in it to clear.

Another thing to bear in mind is that fibre scuttle panels made for standard car will not go over that bracket at that height.