Steering box and idler bush

[Lutz Kramer]

Two questions:

1. How do I get the busch back in the steering box? It is cut through on one side (s. Foto). So do I have to sqeeze and just push it in or will the gap be automatically closed while it's hammered in with may be a piece of wood or rubber in between?
Sorry, I may use the wrong words and terms but I hope you understand what I mean!?



2. What direction does the bush go in the steering box? There is a small channel running diagonally form one side to almost the other side. I guess this is an oil channel that lubricates the rocker shaft. Since you don't want too much oil running to the oil-seal (simmering) I think the part of the bush with the open channel should point towards the top of the steering box???





Best regards from Germany

Lutz

 

[Keoke]

Have it safely pressed in by a machinist and fitted to your shaft.

 

[steveg]

I did mine myself 10 years ago. Question #2 above makes perfect sense. I remember I had to hacksaw my old one to get it out but the new one was easy to tap in place. I used a new brake hone and honed it for 1/2 hour, checking the shaft for fit as I went. My shaft wasn't particularly worn so when it went in, I stopped honing and buttoned up the box with 2 new seals. 10 years ago and no leaks.

I think I had a socket wrench the same diameter and just tapped it in. I may have squeezed it in in a vise or with a large c-clamp.

 

[Lutz Kramer]

Thank you guys for your replies!

Basically I agree with Keoke to have this work done by a machinist, but since I have never had a machanic to work on my car (in the past 5 years I have done all repairs by myself), it's of course a challenge to do it again without any help. What can you loose? Just a bush for some Euros but I might win some more experience?

Therefore I followed the recomandations of Steve. Me too had to hacksaw the old bush, since it didn't come loose. I then sqeezed the new one in a vise and put a cabel fixer/lace (I don't know the right word for it) around it so I didn't take to much force to tap it in right at the beginning. Even then I really had to hammer it in using a socket of almost the same diameter. It worked perfectly as you can see from the fotos.



Since the rocker shaft doesn't fit right now I will have to hone the bush as soon as the new rocker shaft arrives here. The old one is corroded exactly in the area where the the oil seal sits right above the splines (s. next foto). That was the reason the gear box was leaking even using Penrite grease.



I do not have to use two oil seals since the one I got here in Germany has to lips and there wouldn't be enough space left for a second seal anyhow.

 

[vette]

Good Job Lutz.