The MGA steering is a rack-and-pinion system supplied by Cam Gears, broadly common across all variants of the model with one significant exception, the Twin Cam and De Luxe cars have the steering rack positioned slightly further forward in the chassis, requiring a longer steering pinion and a different rack housing assembly. The steering column connects to the rack via a Hardy Spicer universal joint, with the lower part of the column below the joint angled slightly towards the centre of the car. The upper part of the column is held in place by two mounting brackets, one under the chassis goalpost, one under the scuttle. Rack housing and steering column are finished in black from the factory.
Cam Gears rack and pinion
The Cam Gears rack-and-pinion steering assembly is the same specification across all standard pushrod MGAs (1500, 1600 and 1600 Mk II). On the Twin Cam and De Luxe, the rack's mounting position in the chassis is further forward than on the pushrod cars; this requires the Twin Cam / De Luxe car to use a longer steering pinion and a different rack housing than the pushrod specification.
Replacement racks, pinions and housings must therefore be matched to the variant of the car, a pushrod rack assembly is not interchangeable with a Twin Cam / De Luxe assembly.
Steering geometry and dimensions
The steering ratio is 13.5:1 with 2? turns lock-to-lock. The different rack position on the Twin Cam and De Luxe gives those cars a larger turning circle, in excess of 32 feet (9.8 m), compared with 30 feet 6 inches (9.3 m) on the 1500 and 28 feet (8.5 m) on the 1600 and 1600 Mk II.
Early 1500 cars were fitted with very slender steering arms that are not interchangeable with later-production steering arms, a specific ordering consideration for very early 1500 restorations. These steering arms connect the rack's track rods to the steering knuckles on the stub axles.
Steering column
The steering column incorporates a Hardy Spicer universal joint that decouples the lower column from the upper shaft. Below the UJ the column is angled slightly towards the centre of the car; above the UJ the column is secured by two mounting brackets, one under the chassis goalpost and one under the scuttle. The column is finished in black alongside the rack housing.
Replacement columns, UJs and mounting brackets are available as service items.
Adjustable steering column option
A telescopic adjustable steering column was available as an optional extra on all MGA variants. It has a bolt-on clamp and a chrome-plated telescopic finisher, allowing the driver to set the column to a preferred reach. The adjustable column is an entirely different assembly from the standard fixed column and is ordered as a complete unit rather than fitted as an adjustment to a standard column.
Neiman combined steering column and ignition lock
Late 1600 and 1600 Mk II cars supplied to Sweden and Germany were fitted with a combined steering column and ignition lock. The lock was made by Neiman and also activated the starter, so turning the ignition key both released the steering lock and started the engine, an early example of a multi-function ignition-and-lock arrangement. The Neiman lock was introduced in production in May 1961 and two different types may be found on cars of that period. The lock was always fitted in conjunction with an adjustable steering column; it was not available with the standard fixed column.
Track rod ends
The track rod ends connect the rack's track rods to the steering arms on each stub axle. From car/chassis 53875 on left-hand drive cars (July 1958) and car/chassis 55545 on right-hand drive cars (August 1958), the track rod ends received cup and fibre washers below the grease nipples, together with a grease escape drilled in the steering ball socket cap.
Earlier cars therefore use the original track rod end specification without these features; later cars use the revised specification. Replacement track rod ends should match the pre- or post-breakpoint specification of the car.
Rack gaiters and ancillary seals
The rubber rack gaiters seal each end of the rack housing, preventing water, road dirt and grit from entering the rack's internal mechanism. The gaiters are a common service item and are available as replacements in pairs. Other sealing items within the rack itself, the pinion bearing oil seal and any associated O-rings, are supplied alongside the rack when a complete rack is ordered, or as individual service items when a rack is being reconditioned rather than replaced.