The practical reason for picking a one-piece steering column for our Sprite

Update by Tim Suddard to the Austin-Healey Sprite project car
Jul 27, 2023 | Austin-Healey, Sprite, Bugeye Sprite, Austin-Healey Sprite

Photography by Tim Suddard

To truly turn our Sprite into a roller, we would have to restore and install the steering column. The steering column on an early Sprite is simple–in fact, it is frighteningly simple.

This solid, one-piece column simply rotates in an outer sleeve that is clamped to the body, right beneath the dash.

What about upgrading to the collapsible column found in later Sprites and Midgets? We explored this option but heard about issues, including talk that they can collapse at inopportune times, like when driving hard through corners.

We decided to take our chances with the original column.

There are only three parts needed to restore one of these columns: You need the upper and lower felt spacers and the boot that fits between the column and the firewall. Moss Motors has all three parts in stock for less than $25.

We media blasted and painted the inner and outer column pieces with Eastwood Chassis Black paint. We then soaked the two felt spacers in oil overnight to fill them with lubrication.

To assemble, you just roll the spacers into a circle and push them into the column.

We then media blasted and painted the mounting bracket and inspected all of the threads involved.

[What you need to know about media blasting]

Once assembled, place the column into the car, make sure the steering rack is centered, and bolt the rack to the column. You can shim the mounting bracket to make sure the column comes through the dash correctly.