Help: Problem After Installing Mitch Leland's Steering Column Bushing

[PcarPhil]

Here's one more pic that shows how the c-clip sits inside the steering hub. *Note* this c-clip is from a different car - I was just using it for the picture (the c-clip I'm using is still attached to the column). I think I can see in the pic that the clip is bent - which is what rusnak is saying. The clip I used on this example pic came off a stock '87 Carrera with stock wheel.

[UrQuattro]

I don't think that your bushing is fully seated. It should be able to seat about 1/16-1/8 further in.

On the steering column, there is a symmetrical cutout where the circlip sits. Before you put the circlip on, you should be able To see the entire taper for the circlip.

So, when I put the circlip back on, there was plenty of room behind it. It was not flush with the circlip. It took my over torquing the column nut to essentially force it in to contact with the bushing.

I dunno, maybe try pulling it, fishing around for any pieces that prevent it from sitting right and see if it seats better.

That's my first response after seeing the pictures.

Michael

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

The bushing is certainly set in the proper position so that is not the problem... Can you confirm if the 3 Allan head screws are dragging a circle on the top of the bushing? I can't remember, but those screws look larger than the ones on my horn ring... I remember the screws being brass. Maybe someone could verify if they are the stock size?

I can turn down the top of the bushing for you if that would solve your problem... If you tell me how much clearance you need I will send you another bushing with a reduced height.

[PcarPhil]

Mitch,

I don't think the screws are dragging. I think the circle of the hub is dragging on the bushing face.

The parts in red are where I think the drag is coming from:





Is there supposed to be a press fit between the hub/c-clip/bushing/bearing? Or is there supposed to be a gap between the hub/c-clip and bushing/bearing?

If there's supposed to be a gap (I think there is) then I do think machining down the bushing face will fix my problem. I'll pull the bushing and take a few measurements.

Thanks for the help. I guess I should have contacted you months ago!

[PcarPhil]

BTW...I wonder if there's slight differences in steering shaft lengths over the years? Or I wonder if my steering shaft is sitting slightly lower in the column that "normal"?

[PcarPhil]

If there is supposed to be a gap between the c-clip/steering hub and the bushing then I'd say my bushing could be turned down perhaps 4mm. I'd also consider wanting to add 4mm of material to the section that goes under the bearing just in case the bushing moves in/out a bit. A possible catch - by turning down the bushing 4mm it's possible that the allen screws used for removal may need to be slightly shorter. 2 or 3mm may do it but I think 4mm is a safe number (if a gap is ok).

The current width of the bushing section between the bearing and the c-clip is ~16.5mm. If it was 12.5mm there should be plenty of room between the hub/c-clip and the bushing face.

BTW my car is a 1977.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by UrQuattro

I don't think that your bushing is fully seated. It should be able to seat about 1/16-1/8 further in.

On the steering column, there is a symmetrical cutout where the circlip sits. Before you put the circlip on, you should be able To see the entire taper for the circlip.

So, when I put the circlip back on, there was plenty of room behind it. It was not flush with the circlip. It took my over torquing the column nut to essentially force it in to contact with the bushing.

I dunno, maybe try pulling it, fishing around for any pieces that prevent it from sitting right and see if it seats better.

That's my first response after seeing the pictures.

Michael

I agree with this. From the picture, the bushing has the appearance of one not fully seated.

[PcarPhil]

Originally Posted by rusnak

I agree with this. From the picture, the bushing has the appearance of one not fully seated.

Trust me, the bearing was fully seated. I could see marks on the back of the bushing and on the bearing that verifies this.

The only other thing I can think of is that my steering column shaft sits more inward into the column than most cars. This would make the bushing sit higher on the shaft, and still be fully seated against the bearing.

Another possibility is there are differences in the shafts.

[PcarPhil]

Another thing - I think the dimensions of this bushing may have changed at some point. I think I ordered mine pretty early on.

Check out this post:
Mitch Leland's Steering Wheel Bushing

salukijac's bushing:


My bushing:


Mine doesn't have that step in the middle...although I don't know what difference that makes.

[PcarPhil]

More data:

The width of the steering shaft between the bearing and c-clip groove is ~15mm. I checked this on my '77 driver and my '87 parts car.

The width of my bushing in this section is ~16.5mm.

So my bushing is wider than that section of steering shaft by 1.5mm.

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

Let's do this... PM me your address and I'll send you another bushing. If your bushing doesn't have the step, then in fact you do have a very, very early bushing and that may account for some of the problem.

[PcarPhil]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

Scott,

Let's do this... PM me your address and I'll send you another bushing. If your bushing doesn't have the step, then in fact you do have a very, very early bushing and that may account for some of the problem.

Mitch,

We can do that. Before you ship me a bushing though can you provide me with the current measurements?

Also, what is the purpose of the step in the current design?

Thanks,

[cashman]

I just installed mine on an 89. It had the step and I had to set it pretty firmly to seat all the way. I torqued the nut to the specification and so far, it works beautifully. I did not have a lot of debris to clean up from the old bearing but I used a pipe cleaner. I could fit it in between the shaft and the bearing and work my way around. All the small pieces came out.
Mark

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

I'll get back to you tomorrow with the dimension you asked for, ran out of time today...

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

Reference: from the bottom of the step to the top of the bushing - .640"

FYI: the step keeps the bottom face of the bushing from riding on the roller bearing. The step rides only on the inner face of the bearing race so there's no drag between the bushing and bearing.

Your new bearing will be in the afternoon mail. I hope it will solve the problem. However your present bushing is within .005" of the bushing I'm sending you so there still might be another problem. Given both of our measurements, that's only 2 human hairs.

If the new bushing doesn't help your problem you can send it back and we'll turn the face down to give you additional clearance. For some reason your roller bearing might be sitting higher, or your steering shaft is riding lower in the housing. This is one fix that's better than the factory part so it's worth the trouble to get it right.

[PcarPhil]

Mitch,

Do you think it might be a good idea to machine 2-3mm off the face of the bushing before you send it to me?

Thanks for the help,

[rusnak]

Scott, just take a flat file and file some material off, since you've got a new one coming anyway. If it works, then send it back for analysis and follow up evaluation.

I'm wondering now if the bearing itself is fully seated in the steering column tube. Scott, can you see if the race (with the busing removed) is turning smoothly? You might need a small screwdriver to turn the race on it's ball bearing.

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

Russ has a good idea... I'm still hoping that maybe on further investigation that maybe there's something under the bushing or the roller bearing isn't seated all the way down. We've sold a lot of these bushings and have had only 2 problems in all the bushings we've sold. The tolerances for this bushing are very close so everything has to be in order for a proper fit. So I'm hoping that maybe one more shot at it might do the trick...

[PcarPhil]

Originally Posted by UrQuattro

I don't think that your bushing is fully seated. It should be able to seat about 1/16-1/8 further in.

Originally Posted by rusnak

Scott, just take a flat file and file some material off, since you've got a new one coming anyway. If it works, then send it back for analysis and follow up evaluation.

I'm wondering now if the bearing itself is fully seated in the steering column tube.

Originally Posted by Kaefer

More data:

The distance on the steering shaft between the bearing and c-clip groove is ~15mm. I checked this on my '77 driver and my '87 parts car.

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

Scott,

The bushing is certainly set in the proper position so that is not the problem...

Time for an update on my stiction/dragging issue I was having with the bushing: I removed the bushing and filed off 3-4mm of material from the face of the bushing, then reinstalled the bushing, hub, and steering wheel. BINGO. No more stiction/dragging. Everything is as smooth as smooth can be. So much so that I'm finding I need to relearn my steering feel. There was more stiction/dragging than I thought there was.

Mitch did send me an updated bushing but I haven't had a chance to install it.

Can anyone out there who happens to have their steering wheel off measure the distance from the steering column bearing to the edge of the circlip groove? On both my '77 and '87 this distance is roughly 15mm. Check out the pic below to see the measurement I'm looking for:


UrQuattro - what about you? Did a new circlip resolve your steering problem?

[Mitch Leland]

Scott,

Have you measured the new bushing I sent you? It should be approx. 16.3mm, or .643" including the step. The step rides/sits on the inner face of the roller bearing to reduce the friction between the bushing and the roller bearing.

We've sold "a lot" of these bushings all with the same dimensions. I have had 2 previous problems that I have resolved, but these 2 are unique to this height problem.

If you can tell me how much additional clearance you need I'll machine off the top face if you return the bushing to me.

PM me with the details...