Phosphor bronze bias bar in aluminium pedal?

Phosphor bronze bias bar in aluminium pedal?

Author
Discussion

motorsportbeng

Original Poster:

200 posts

159 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
I'm designing my own pedal box for my track car and have bought a universal brake bias balance bar, a spherical bearing type in what looks to be a phosphor bronze outer shell. The kit came with it's own weld in steel tube for the pedal but I want to run aluminium pedals. Materials wasn't a subject I particularly excelled at at uni so was wondering if anyone could shed any light! With a liberal coating of teflon spray will the bearing move ok inside a hard anodised aluminium pedal or is the softer aluminium going to cause problems? I could always design the pedal to have the steel insert press fitted in but wanted to avoid this extra process if possible.

Cheers

CrutyRammers

13,735 posts

197 months

Wednesday 24th September 2014
quotequote all
I'm far from an expert, but I'm pretty sure you don't want to be running any sort of bearing in ally, it tends to pick up and gall. I'd be looking at an insert, personally.
Hopefully someone who knows for sure will be along soon - if not you could do worse than trying locostbuilders, there's a lot of fabricating expertise on there.

Dave Brand

928 posts

267 months

Thursday 25th September 2014
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I'm assuming the phosphor bronze outer doesn't move relative to the pedal? If so there should be no problem as long as it's supported along its full length. It the outer does move relative to the pedal you'll need to match the hardness of the steel tube, in which case pressing the steel tube into the pedal will be the easiest option. A light interference fit & the use of something like Loctite Bearing Fit may be the best way of doing that, as a tight interference fit will tend to close up the tube.