Steering column cowl

I cannot get the bloody thing separated !
( 73 midget )

I have the two screws out
The bottom wants to come apart..and it does, but the top feels like another screw is there or something....what am I missing!?

I need to sort some wiring in there, maybe replace the wiper stalk.

I don't want to break the thing.

Also....can't get the steering wheel off.
I've losened the nut and unthreaded it leaving some threads on.
Tried tapping with hammer and block of wood, tried penetrating oil on the threads....no joy.

I don't see any spring or wires etc. Is the horn not in the middle?
I thought maybe it was on the stalk like a later MINI, but it does not push in.
:-(

Thanks for any input for a newbie

Have you tried the John Twist steering wheel removal method?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwf2BDC5DMo&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Will try the technique tomorrow.
How about that cowl/.........

sometimes those horns on the stalk stick, use a drop of oil to to see if it moves!

The cowl has plastic pins to align the 2 pieces they may be stuck, I put a razor blade between the pieces and twist it to separate them.

Hi
The cowl won't come off until the column is removed from the car

It can be done by damaging it, but the best way is to pull the column, or at least to pull it away from its mountings enough that you can drop it an inch or so.

Norm

OK...thanks for that.

So each time you want to replace the wiper arm or indicator....they designed it so you have to drop the column?...odd.
I should still be able to get the two halfs apart though....

Simple release for the column is it?

I've used the steering wheel remover shown on two 'B's' and 1 Midget. I just had to bend one of the bolts a little in a vice to match the space between the two holes on the MG. Works real well, slow and controlled, without the need of a second person.
If I recall it cost approximately $6.00 at a local large department store auto section.

Personally, to the best of my recallection, I've never had to drop the steering column to remove the cowl. Perhaps I had the dash off at that point?

If I remember right when I replaced my turn signal switch, I did have to drop the column but didn't have to remove the wheel. Your problem sounds like what I ran into. It looked like all the screws were out but it the cowl wouldn't release. I think when I dropped the column I found another screw that is normally obstructed from view (and reach) by the dash.

From experience, if you drop the steering column a bit, it should unsnap easier and work itself off-just seperate the pins with a screwdriver CAREFULLY

Here is a photo of a cowl from a 73. It shows two single side screw holes, (#'s 1&2), and the back upper part of the cowl showing screw hole #3. There is a matching screw hole to number three on the opposite side (#4).
Hope this helps.

Thank you very much for posting those pictures.
While you were doing that I got it off...lol

I ended up pulling out the column some. ( removed the pinch bolt etc )
I'm now worried about the bloody shims/washers that are located with the three bolts under the dash....not sure of there positioning....crap