Steering column bushings

[Tonyw]

Hi all,

My S3 SE has some play in the steering bushings, seems to be the same for the lower bush and the upper, appears to not be to excessive but I wondered if they are available and if so do you get the plastic/nylon inner bush or the rubber out and plastic inner bush together, looks like a tricky job to replace them.

TIA

Tony W

[ppnelan]

Yes, it's a standard (ha ha) Triumph Herald etc part.
They come as one piece with a nylon bush inside a metal sleeve set in a rubber outer part.
You will have to dismantle the steering column assembly to remove the old ones from the outer steering column housing.
They are a bit tricky to fit as there are two 'lumps' on the outside of the rubber which locate in holes in the outer column housing. These make them tight to fit, and can easily get cut off when you force them into the column tube.
I have changed mine in the past and STILL had play in the column. It seems that either I got some poorly made bushes, or the INNER column shaft itself wears enough to create play.

I have 'fixed' the upper bush in the past by slackening off the column clamps so that the shaft can slide up far enough (it is the awkward type with a steering lock) to put some wide PVC tape around it where it runs in the bush. Get the number of wrap arounds right and it will cure the problem! In fact, I think it may still be running with this in place now...

Matthew

[elansprint71]

I changed mine a couple of years ago and the play was worse in the new ones than in the old ones. If I were you, I'd live with it.

On a later Sprint, with steering lock, it's an absolute bastard of a job to do.

[Tonyw]

Guy's,

Thanks for the feedback, pretty much what I thought. I have a vague recollection of doing this many, many years ago with similar results. The tape idea might be useful to get the car licensed.

Tony W

[inxs]

Hi Tony,
I live in Adelaide and have been doing up my + 2 for the last year, with the steering column I also had play that was annoying. I went to my local "plastic" supplier and I purchased a rod of some nylon compound that they recommend for the bushes and went to my local machine shop and it cost me $25.00 to turn 2 x new bushes and fit into the column. I had the the column and the shaft so they produced and excellent no movement fit (slightly snug).
The best $35.00 all up I have spent and a few hours to pull out and replace the column well worth the effort.
I wish all tasks on a Lotus where that easy and cheap!!!!

Cheers Darren

[Frank Howard]

Tony,

While you have the column out, you might consider another improvement; shortening the steering column. One of the best improvements I made to the car. Had to cut off the bottom 2-1/2" of the outer column, drill new locating holes for the "pegs" on the lower bushing, and re-mount the bushing which is indeed a difficult job. But seeing as you're changing the bushings anyway... I had the impact clamp arrangement, so I had to machine a second cut-out on the inner column so the clamp could be moved away from the pedals.

The car feels much roomier and you get to drive using the classic arms straight out style. Either way, best of luck with the bushings.

[Tonyw]

Guy's,

Thanks for the tips, I found two new bushes in a box from the PO, my project is a full stripped down S3 with all the parts in boxes, I tried the new bush onn the steering shaft and it appears to be sng so it looks like will use the original bushes. Never thought to make two new ones from nylon though also a good idea.

Frank I think I understand what you are saying but do you really need to get some more room at the base of the steering column??

Tony W

[ppnelan]

Frank I think I understand what you are saying but do you really need to get some more room at the base of the steering column??

I think he means shortening the whole column to move the steering wheel closer to the dashboard to make him feel like an F1 driver...

The car feels much roomier and you get to drive using the classic arms straight out style

Either that or he must be pretending to be an aeroplane with his window open & hands-free steering...

Matthew

[Frank Howard]

Tony,

Matthew is correct (except the part about my arms out the window). If you ever got a chance to sit in my car, you would swear it is significantly roomier than a standard Elan. And I drive it on a regular basis.

My post was just a suggestion.

[c.d.s.]

Hello,

I've used these derlin bushings to good effect.

http://www.trparts.com/newitems/column.html

There must be something comparable in the UK from the usual triumph suspects.



Regards

cds