That box is a cover over the universal joint on the steering column. On my Roadster its fixed with self tappers and is easy to remove. It's not structural, but helps to keep the wet out.

Any idea it I can just get a replacement to screw on? mine doesnt seem to be made of metal - seems sort of fibrous!

The cheapest fix is to make a template out of cardboard, then make your own from thin aluminium sheet - around 1mm should do fine.

If you can't do that then try a Dealer, although I suspect that they are cut to fit each car.

Sounds like a job for next weekend

My 2009 4/4 Sport had its first MOT Test yesterday, which it passed, but with a comment which said:
"Nearside front lower Axle King pin has slight play in pin and/or bush"
They showed me that holding the wheel top and bottom when jacked up that the rock was quite noticeable although difficult to say how much.
Having recently bought the car, I have a copy of a Sales Invoice which shows new pins and bushes were fitted by MMCC January 2011.
Is this slackness/movement normal ?

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Jack

How many miles covered since January 2011?
I have a theory that if the kingpin bushes are not reamed with care, it's possible to create a bit too much play right from the start. It's early to have had them changed after two years anyway. What was the mileage in January 2011? Either the new bushes were not reamed accurately, or you've been driving on roads which have generated a lot of abrasive dust.
Have a close look at the state of the pins inside the rebound springs and see if a good greasing on the bottom nipple helps.

How many miles has the car done since the kingpins were fitted? Has the front suspension been regularly greased? Has the car got rebound spring gaiters fitted?

If neglected, it's entirely possible to knacker a bush in 10k miles, and the nearside lower bush is always the first to wear. But if it's not done many miles and has been looked after, it may be that the tester was being a bit too picky.

If/when you have the bushes redone, fit hardchrome kingpins and a set of rebound spring gaiters, then you'll not have to worry again.

If neglected, you can do a bush in 2000 miles. Has to be seriously neglected though.

Blimey, how would you do that? By driving them on a beach with no grease at all in?

I bought the car in November 2011 and looking at the Morgan Motor Co Ltd Invoice dated January 2011 the car had done approx 14000 miles in that time? Since that time I have added only about 100 miles
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Jack