Replacing Nylon Bushes In Upper Steering Column

[Rory's Dad]

Morning all.

Yes I've done a search but not comeup with a definitive answer. The problem is that there is quite a bit of movement between the shaft and the upper steering column. I will be fetching it out of the Westy so I can have a go at replacing the nylon bushes with two that I've got from the factory. My column has a detachable wheel and an additional sleeve on the column at the top - in other words the shaft will only come out from the top.

So what do I do next??

Your thoughts and advice eagerly awaited.

Thanks - Rory's Dad

[blue ass fly]

Did mine at the beginning of the year and i managed to get it out as i wiggled the column out

Otherwise remove the column and break it up with a small chisel and push it out through the bottom

[Rory's Dad]

Thanks

So,if I pull the column out, will the old bushes be on the column or still inside the tube?? Obviously I'll replace them sliding them up from the bottom. Is there some sort of seating for them?? Will they need any lubrication??

Rory's Dad

[Dave Eastwood (Gadgetman) - Club Chairman]

Last time I removed my inner column, it just slid out, leaving the bushes behind. It had been coated pretty liberally with Copperslip when manufactured, so after it came back from welding, I re Copperslip'd it and slotted it back in.

[Rory's Dad]

Right chaps, it's all in bits and the new bushes are too bloomin' big :angry: .

The dimensions are (more or less) as follows:

Inner column = 20.00mm diameter

Outer column inside bush = 20.04mm diameter (so 0.04mm of slop)

Outer column outside bush = 24.78mm diameter

so the existing bush thickness is 24.78 - 20.04 = 4.38/2 = 2.19mm

The new bush is 20.30mm inside diameter

and 25.25mm outside diameter

so the new bush thickness is 25.25 - 20.30 = 4.95/2 = 2.47mm

So there is 4.95 - 4.38 = 0.57mm difference in bore.

My question is - would it be feasible to cut through the new bushes, squeeze them into the outer column and re-assemble??

Thanks - Rory's Dad

[AdamR]

Don't see why not!

[Terry Everall]

Dont like the sound of that

[Terry Everall]

can you not get some new nylon material reamed and lathed to fit exactly?

I have some spare nylon you could use

Give me a call

[blue ass fly]

Dont cut them and press onto the tube,get the right bushes

The transformation was unbelievable

Mine was packed with heater hose and grease

My bushes look like a top hat with a hole and so have a lip to seat in place

What column have you got fitted

[Rory's Dad]

Thanks Steve - I think it's an Allegro column (I think I have a BL key somewhere)..

I'll give Terry a call about getting some new ones made.

Rory's Dad