That steering column bearing mod...

[wedg1e]

I can't recall who outlined the change from that daft plastic bush to a sealed bearing, but as I was in the local bearing place sourcing parts for a job at work (and just happened to know the size of bearing I needed ), well, a few quid more on a company Purchase Order is neither here nor there (especially when the MOD is paying - so ultimately, I suppose, is the taxpayer, ie YOU ).

Anyway, I couldn't get a bearing

What not? Because the column is 14mm in diameter and 14mm is not a preferred size for bearing makers. So I got a 17mm bore unit and turned up a sleeve on the lathe...

The new bearing mouting plates are a good bit smaller than the old tin thing and would have left a gap if mounted directly to the footwell. I made an alloy plate that is held by the original bolts and simply offset the new bearing on the plate by a few degrees.

What a difference. The plastic bush didn't have THAT much slop, but the steering is a revelation - the judders and vibes have gone and feel is much improved! Well worth £9.50...erm, had I spent that much, of course

Now the coolant header tank is p155ing coolant again...

[andgus]

Any pics on the "operation"....?
/Anders

[honourablepickle]

what was the bearing number ?

[wedg1e]

andgus said:

Any pics on the "operation"....?
/Anders

Just this...

www.wedgeneering.co.uk/TVR%20390SE%20p10.htm

'Pickle: I'll have to see if I can find the invoice to get the part number off, I can't get my head into the wheelarch now!

[honourablepickle]

rs number would be nice - not that i'd stoop so low as to add it to a works order
i was going to do that on the blue car before jim had it but ended up turning up a nylon one
your fix is a better bet

[micha]

check out here:

www.pixeltechnology.co.uk/wedge/maint_steering.html


did this modification to my 1982 tasmin (280i) and used a bearing from suplier RS-Components. fitted without any problems.

bearing size is: SLFL3/4

link:

www.radionics.ie/electronic-components-ie/1/indexb2010.html


or


www.rs-components.co.uk/electronic-components-uk/402099512-mechanical-products-tools-skf-self-lube-bearing-flange-units.html



RS Stock no. 755-390
Manufacturer NSK
Manufact. part no. SLFL3/4
Name Bearing,self lube,flange,pressed steel,SLFL-3/4
Catalogue page 3-66

or

or


www.targetbearings.co.uk/RHP%20Jan%202005.htm

Edited by micha on Friday 6th October 11:45

Edited by micha on Friday 6th October 11:46

[honourablepickle]

fantastic thanks micha - v8 cars will need to turn a sleve though as the steering shaft is rover SD1 and only 14mm
i'll get on to it once i put the back end back together

[GV]

I've done the same mod but I haven't worked out why my PAS is still hard. I had to change the bearing cos the last one failed its MOT.

[micha]

what you mean with "hard"? if it doesnt return from itself in center position after driving arouhd a corner the UJ´s are sticky. if it is heavy to turn the steering wheel, maybe your PAS pump/system is damaged or the v-belt slips?

[GV]

micha said:

what you mean with "hard"? if it doesnt return from itself in center position after driving arouhd a corner the UJ´s are sticky. if it is heavy to turn the steering wheel, maybe your PAS pump/system is damaged or the v-belt slips?

I'll have to test that - not sure how light the wheel should be not having driven another PAS.

[wedg1e]

Mine is not particularly light. Then again, it's lighter than a non-PAS

[micha]

mine is light , too...ok, not compareable with a modern car...for parking i also need both hands, but it doesnt turn too hard.

[GV]

Took mine out for a blast round the block. No plates, lights, mirrors...nothing legal!! Having just about finished the resotration I couldn't resist it! Anyway, the steering did feel a bit lighter with no vibration and despite my best attempts to re-align the column - the wheel was off-centre.