bike inner tube dimension question
 

I have a cast iron axle on the front of my garden tractor that is 1.80 OD where the steering spindles mount . I am adding sleeve thrust bearings/washers to make the steering a bit easier , it's called the poor man's power steering :D . Anyway while I have the spindles dropped out of the axle I'd like to purchase a bike inner tube to be cut into sleeves . The sleeves would slide over the spindle mounts and after everything is put together pull down the inner tube sleeve so it covers the bearings/washers . I am attempting to keep as much dirt/grass/crap out of the bearings as I can.

So do I buy a 1.50 inner tube ? If the 1.50 is the REAL dimension it should stretch over the 1.80 spindle mount right ? I just need it snug enough to stay in place .

It will stretch.

a 1.5 should work,.
just go to the bike store and take the tube out. flatten it. measure the diameter.

you might look at a 700x 32c tube.
depends on how you want to stretch it.

It will stretch. I used to use pieces of bicycle tubes on the head set of my bicycle to keep out the dirt out of the bearings.

A bike shop may give you old tubes for free especially if you tell them they can cut it half before they give it to you (so you can't patch it)

that big ass rubber band that comes on a bunch of broccoli wont work?

Who the f%$#k eats broccoli :D

haha..

I did this years ago to one of my Simplicity's. I used a bronze washer and put a slot on each face. When greasing the axle, the bushing gets grease on both sides. I haven't had an issue. I would worry about water being trapped, and sitting, if it was sealed.

'I'm President,' So No More Broccoli! - NYTimes.com

Tell them (bike shop) what you are doing. Take the part in if you can. They should have a trashcan with at least some punctured inner tubes in it of various sizes.

They will spend time trying to find the right size for you, digging through their own trash, and then let you have it for free.

Then buy something from them you can actually use/ gift card for someone, etc, to support the local bike shop, because they are awesome people.

I think I have a ton of spare tubes here that I never get around to fixing, if you want me to send some, let me know.

Leaky that is a generous offer but I don't want to bother you . Plus my bearings/washers are showing up tomorrow per the tracking . I am actually going to try and find an o-ring to fit between the top and bottom washers and around the OD of the bearing . That would work quite well and I may add the bike tube sleeve as backup . Thanks again for the offer .