The MGB used conventional rack and pinion steering throughout its entire production run, a configuration that required no fundamental revision across eighteen years and remains one of the car’s most appreciated characteristics.
Steering Rack
The chrome bumper and rubber bumper racks differ in a detail that catches owners out. The chrome bumper rack gives 2.9 turns lock to lock, providing the direct response that defines the earlier car. A lower-ratio rack introduced on 1977 models gives 3.5 turns, noticeably lighter but less precise. The input shaft lengths also differ and the two racks are not directly interchangeable.
EP90 oil is the specified fill, requiring half a pint pumped into both gaiters from the steering control arm side. Steering racks are available in new and reconditioned exchange for chrome and rubber bumper RHD and LHD. Track rod ends, rack gaiters, mounting pads, pinion seals, support bushes, damper pads, and all associated fixings are available. A power steering kit is also available as an exclusive MGOC Spares product.
Steering Column
Four distinct column spline types exist across the production run, 1962 to 1967, 1968 to 1969, 1970 to 1976, and 1977 to 1980, which means steering wheels are not interchangeable between these periods. The original solid non-collapsible column was fitted from 1962 on UK cars. Energy-absorbing columns were progressively adopted from the MkII in late 1967 and standardised across all markets from autumn 1974. These later columns use a pierced cage outer construction, once crushed they are unserviceable, making secondhand sourcing the only route.
The universal joint at the base differs between chrome bumper (4-inch) and rubber bumper (3¼-inch) and the two are not interchangeable. Column shafts, bushes, brackets, seals, clamps, steering lock assemblies, and universal joints are all available.
OE Steering Wheel
The MGB steering wheel changed several times across production. Early cars used a wire-spoke T-formation wheel, replaced for 1970 by a 15½-inch wheel with flat alloy spokes and five holes, changing to slots for 1973 and depressions from June 1973. The 1977 model year introduced a 15-inch padded-rim four-spoke wheel. From the 1977 model year the indicator cancellation mechanism was integrated into the wheel rather than the column, creating a hard compatibility boundary, pre-1977 and post-1977 wheels and columns are not interchangeable without addressing the cancellation arrangement.
OE replacement and period-correct steering wheels are available.
Aftermarket Steering Wheels & Bosses
Many owners fit a smaller leather or wood-rimmed aftermarket wheel. A reproduction 1960s MGB competition wheel is available, alongside Moto Lita wheels in 13, 14, and 15-inch diameters. Boss kits are required to mount aftermarket wheels, the correct boss must be matched to the column spline and the 1977 cancellation boundary observed. Wheel centres with horn push are available.