Do Chimaeras have a lower column bearing insert?

[Dave85chim]

Morning Folks

As per title, do Chims have one? I need to replace the bearing.

[Steve_D]

Yes there is a bearing in a housing on the front bulkhead. The design of the housing changed over the years but I believe the bearing is the same. Don't have the bearing number but can look it out in the morning if required.
Many have the bearing in a plastic housing which can crack and distort. Racetech sell both the bearing and an alloy housing. My own car (1997) has the bearing in a rubber sleeve which is retained in a housing which is part of the GF layup of the front bulkhead so only requires the bearing replacement. They are a couple of quid on ebay.

Steve

[Dave85chim]

Cheers Steve

Thanks for that, I have seen the bearing and the alloy housing as sold most TVR suppliers - but some also do a kit with a small triangular plastic retainer - I know the kits are for the S as well so I just wanted to make sure the chimaera didn’t need this plastic retainer also (albeit I know triangular wouldn’t fit)

Do you know what size bolts are for the bulkhead/housing?

[Steve_D]

First confirm you need the housing. If you do you will see a raised boss visible in the wheel well.
Fixings are M5.

Steve

[Dave85chim]

Thanks Steve, Yes I do need the housing, as mine was the old plastic version which has cracked badly to the point where the bearing had rusted and sieved.

[Steve_D]

OK so best you get bearing and housing together.
Bearing alone is a 6005 2RS and a top quality one is about a fiver.

A while ago I fitted one of these and got it all buttoned up only to find I could not move the steering. Had to strip it all down again to find that the shaft hole in the ali housing is just about the same diameter as the shaft and the hole in the bearing. The housing bolts to a GF bulkhead which is never going to be truly square with the shaft. All was well until I bolted the column back to the underside of the dash. The slight twist was enough to bind the shaft on the housing. A quick lick on the lathe fixed it but you may have to resort to a file.

Steve