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New Steering Column Bushes - Any Preferences?

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RobT

RobT

Jedi Warrior
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I am in the process of replacing the rubber/nylon bushes in the steering column of my TR250, to eliminate some of the play. I have it all apart, and have extracted the bushes, and now am looking through the TRF catalogue at replacements.

They offer two types - the stock "Delrin" units, or performance urethane bushes.

Has any one used either with good (or less good results)? Any preferences?

Thanks,

Rob.
 
Rob
I have no experience with these particular bushings, but my son (a car nut many times worse then me) told me that the poly bushes are hard & also that they settle which after a while makes the worse than the old bushes. We recently saw a Mini at a British car day, one of it's bushings was just as he had described. I was thinking of doing my TR4 with them, but not any more. Just an observation.

Alan
 
I installed the urethane bushes on my steering column. I think no matter how you slice it, it's a big pain. Urathane might transmit a little more vibration to the steering wheel, but my original bushes were so shot its hard to tell. It's been a year and the column is still tight.
 
I tried the urethane and didn't like the feel. Went back to rubber...

Bill
 
Hi Rob,

I can't compare the two different bushing constructions because I replaced the bushes in my TR250, but did not use the ones made of urethane. I want to mention that if you DO choose the original style rubber bushings, stick with TRF.

I bought the Moss bushings because the cost was significantly lower. There are plenty of examples where the major (and minor) suppliers are selling the same parts at different prices. Well, in this case the Moss bushing is produced to a much lower specification, with poor rubber molding and a really cheesy inner bearing sleeve. I actually installed the Moss bushings (with skepticism) but pulled them out and replaced them before I reinstalled the steering column in the car. The TRF bushings are far superior in design, fit, and ease of installation.

I'm not trying to bash Moss, because I've had good results with many of their parts, and their service has always been excellent. This was just a time where the difference between brands was huge; that job is an ugly one that you don't want to do very often!

YMMV.

Best regards,
 
Thanks for the replies and advice....

Based on the responses (many thanks again) I am going to go with the "Stock" Delrin, and will let you know the result.

BTW I built a bush puller to remove the existing one and plan to use the same setup to install the new ones. Its real simple - a 3-foot length of 5/8 threaded rod and some washers of various sizes. I had to slice one washer down (take off about 1/4 inch each side) to get it past the bush to remove the first one, but its a simple matter of placing an oversized washer on the end of the column, another washer that just fits inside the column against the bush, thread the rod through, put a nut on each end and tighten away. Made the job a breeze. Hopefully putting the new bushes in will be just as easy.

Rob.
 
Re: Thanks for the replies and advice....

[ QUOTE ]
....Hopefully putting the new bushes in will be just as easy....

[/ QUOTE ]

Hi Rob,

Lubricate the new bushings to make them easy to fit in place. I use a squirt of WD40 and that made all the difference. The reason to use WD40 (and not oil or grease) is that it evaporates after a few days and the new bushings will stay securely in place after that. I've used WD40 on motorcycle hand grips and other slipfit rubber items, too.

If there is an adhesive involved, such as golf club grips, try a little lighter fluid instead. It softens the adhesive and makes it slippery, then evaporates completely to leave the grip securely stuck in place. On a TR, double-stick tape and a few drops of lighter fluid would work well on a loose handbrake grip, for example.

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
Re: Thanks for the replies and advice....

When I redid my front end on the 4A, pushed in the new bushing using a wood clamp, the screw pipe clamp worked very slick for controlled pressure and they just slid in real easy. Went with the original rubber because had heard as you have that the other radiates more shock through the shaft. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/canpatriot.GIF
 
Re: Thanks for the replies and advice....

Installed the new bushes this weekend - used the rubber& plastic stock units. A little lighter fluid (for lubrication) and my U-Beaut threaded rod & washer setup, and they went in a treat. The difference is significant - absolutely no slop in the shaft. A bit in the rack still, but thats a job for another day.

Rob.
 
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