The MGC steering rack is a lower-geared unit than the MGB's, providing lighter steering effort suited to the heavier front end of the six-cylinder car. It is available new as an exchange item, as a standard reconditioned exchange, or converted to quick-ratio specification on a customer's own unit basis, the quick-ratio conversion provides faster steering response while retaining the original rack housing. Both right-hand drive and left-hand drive versions are available. The rack connects to the steering column via a flexible coupling with two plates and four bolts with nyloc nuts and spring washers, and a universal joint kit with a pinch bolt.
Steering Column
The steering column is supported by upper and lower bushes. The lower bush differs between cars with and without a steering lock, cars with a lock use a different bush and a retaining clip. Two column clamps with distance pieces secure the column to its mounting. A column-to-bulkhead seal prevents draughts and water ingress into the cabin. A column earth cable maintains the electrical connection for the horn circuit.
Collapsible Column, USA/Canada
USA and later Canadian cars use a collapsible safety column designed to compress in a frontal impact, reducing the risk of steering wheel intrusion. This column has different mounting arrangements from the standard non-collapsible type, including packing washers for correct column positioning, and different screw lengths at the upper and lower mounting points.
Steering Wheel Retaining Nut
The steering wheel retaining nut differs between non-collapsible and collapsible column types. The correct nut must be used to maintain the wheel's security on the column splines.