Bent steering column

[AlBundy]

I have been having problems with the horn not working as i couldn't get an even gap between steering wheel and the steering column lock housing and the various switches and bits that sit on top of the lock housing. This was making the horn sound when i turned the steering wheel, which is obviously not ideal, and an MOT fail.

Having now taken it all apart to get to the bottom of it, it appears as though the steering column is bent? See picture. I assume it isn't supposed to be like this.

Is it possible to replace, or do I need to somehow bend it back? Bending it back feels like a bad plan as it weakens the whole setup, but is that my only option?

Thanks in advance for your guidance.

Al

[davidoft1]

Looks like it’s been damaged just below the plastic ring , I doubt you can properly straighten it , I have a good one if you want to replace it

[AlBundy]

Thank you for the offer, I have just bought one that hopefully will do the trick, it's from an eBay seller, so hopefully it will be OK.

Not sure how it would bend in the first place, would take quite some force to do that!

[silverbullet]

Probably been in a crash back in the days when wearing a setbelt wasn't compulsory and the driver was on the sturdy side.

[AlBundy]

Just an update, the one I bought works well, the mild scratching when I turned the steering wheel has gone, the horn works again, all is right with the world.

Was a lot easier to replace than I thought it would be, happy days!