350i Steering Rod bulkhead bush

[Pigboger]

The steering on the 350 is feeling a bit vague as you begin to turn the wheel. I have replaced the rack and everything else including the suspension seems fine. I suspect the bulkhead bush is a little tired. The steering rod appears to be about 3/4 inch in diameter. The car is 1988. Is there a replacement bush available or modification ?
Non power steering.
Many thanks in advance.

[350zwelgje]

Yes there is a modification with a proper bearing.
If you do a google search on pistonhead, wedges, etc, the topic will pop up with all the information you need.
Done it myself and it works a threat.

Rob

[Grady]

Although in my limited experience (two failed bushings on the 280i) the stock bushing doesn’t fail a little, it falls apart completely and the steering column flops around. Here is one of the threads: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=5&a...

I bought the US version of this bushing and may get it installed this weekend. Grady

[stevoj]

Just done mine over the winter months.

My shaft size (that's opened a door!) is 14mm, you need to get a bigger bearing internal diameter and have a bush made,. I used a 3/4 internal diameter bearing, can get you the part number at weekend if you like.

[Wedg1e]

stevoj said:

My shaft size (that's opened a door!)...

Shaft, bush, flange, gusset. Male pin into female receptacle. Etc etc...

[Grady]

Did you do it yourself and if so any installation tips (oops "tips' may cause issues) Grady

[Convert]

This the best mod I've ever made to my car. It transformed the steering feeling.

[LLantrisant]

Convert said:

This the best mod I've ever made to my car. It transformed the steering feeling.

must agree....this mod. is a "must-do" on all cars with similar arrangement (certain TVR models, kitcars....)

[stevoj]

Grady said:

Did you do it yourself and if so any installation tips (oops "tips' may cause issues) Grady

Yes did it myself; it can be a bit tight to get the top knuckle back in, I had too nock the intermediate column all the way down onto the steering rack splines (removing locating and clamping bolt first) to get the top knuckle out but because the new bearing set up sticks out slightly further than the old bearing; I had to slacken the actual steering rack brackets on the chassis and move forward slightly to get the knuckle back in.
Also when you do it, make sure that none of the columns (top or intermediate) stick through the top knuckle further than before and catch on the knuckle block when turning. Other than pretty simple and as said above certainly feels better, even though original bush was still in half decent nick, that said didn't quite achieve the lighter steering I was hoping for on a none power steering set up

[hallsie]

stevoj said:

Grady said:

Did you do it yourself and if so any installation tips (oops "tips' may cause issues) Grady

Yes did it myself; it can be a bit tight to get the top knuckle back in, I had too nock the intermediate column all the way down onto the steering rack splines (removing locating and clamping bolt first) to get the top knuckle out but because the new bearing set up sticks out slightly further than the old bearing; I had to slacken the actual steering rack brackets on the chassis and move forward slightly to get the knuckle back in.
Also when you do it, make sure that none of the columns (top or intermediate) stick through the top knuckle further than before and catch on the knuckle block when turning. Other than pretty simple and as said above certainly feels better, even though original bush was still in half decent nick, that said didn't quite achieve the lighter steering I was hoping for on a none power steering set up

Sorry

All I got from the above was 'sticky top knuckle certainly feels better, and rack'

Stu

[stevoj]

hallsie said:

Sorry

All I got from the above was 'sticky top knuckle certainly feels better, and rack'

Stu

You missed "sticks out slightly further"

[briantvr350i]

Afternoon boys and girls...

Done this on my 350i very recently....

I used this part...

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Housings+&+In...

Mounted INSIDE the footwell to make sure there is plenty of room for the UJ at the top of the steering shaft, does make a tremendous difference, wish I'd done it years ago.. The grub screws bite down onto the 3/4" splined section of the SD1 steering column.

PS:- I have one of the pressed steel types shown in the pictures sat in the garage which is available in exchange for beer tokens if required BNIB.


Brian and a Red 350i

Now featuring power steering... now that DOES make a difference!

[adam quantrill]

Wedg1e said:

stevoj said:

My shaft size (that's opened a door!)...

Shaft, bush, flange, gusset. Male pin into female receptacle. Etc etc...

You diptick! You forgot nipples, rod end, horn, knob.... ;^)

[mrzigazaga]

stevoj said:

can get you the fart number at weekend if you like.

Any fart numbers should be added to the Wedge farts list...
Which reminds me...I must clear out the 280 farts in the garage..

[General Zod]

briantvr350i said:

Afternoon boys and girls...
Done this on my 350i very recently....
I used this part...

http://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/Housings+&+In...

Mounted INSIDE the footwell to make sure there is plenty of room for the UJ at the top of the steering shaft, does make a tremendous difference, wish I'd done it years ago.. The grub screws bite down onto the 3/4" splined section of the SD1 steering column.

This bearing on the inside seems like a much easier job than the one on the outside. As folk have pointed, with such a small space between the join in the steering shaft and the bulkhead, getting a bearing on the outside means it will have to point inwards. Comparing the 2 bearings (yes- I bought both because they were only a few £!): if you fit the one on the left (on the outside OR the inside) you have to take the hole in the bulkhead out to 50 mm accommodate the lip. The other one will sit flush, but would have to be fitted on the inside:







Just interested in any thoughts or good reasons why the bearing should be on the outside?

[mk1fan]

Because TVR didn't leave enough space on the inside?

[peter-m4nc3]

hi. has anyone tried fitting a corsa electric power steering system to their wedge ?
wondering if its a diy job or garage . and if anyone knows who does this type of conversion

[mrzigazaga]

Hi Peter.

I had a Citroen saxo Electric PAS pump fitted to my 280i..This was only done as to make room for a supercharger...However I cannot say that the steering felt any better...But then it was for a space reason.
It needed a 50amp fuse and I had to upgrade the alternator as it drew a fair amount of juice from the battery...I did have a switch fitted so that it could be switched on if the engine failed..That was a killer on the battery though...


Ziga

[peter-m4nc3]

the car started it's life with power steering . but someone along the way changed the rack. i've bought a re -oned rack but am a bit stuck on how to fit , where the pump goes and where to get the pipe work done . any info would me much much appreciated . thanks for the info about the saxo rack . hadn't thought about the draw down on the battery.

[mrzigazaga]

Mine was a 280i so there was room in the nose cone for the pump...I still had the original rack though..Im sure someone on here had a different rack fitted??...I cannot remember who at the moment....