Steering rack bushes

[spunkymonkey]

I've had an enquiry from one of the members here about making up a couple of sets of the plastic bushes for his cars.

If I do, it'd make sense to do a small batch of about 12 - 15 sets. These would be in Oilon (rather than recycled chopping boards!), which is an oil-blended nylon having lower friction and around 5x the wear life of "standard" nylon bushes.

If anyone would be interested, can they let me know please. They'd work out at about £7.50 per set, including UK postage.

If someone with a parts manual can confirm which models use the same bushes as the 33's it'd be a big help

[Bob Scrivens]

Hi Joe for that price count me in, although I have just overhauled the rack about 6 months ago.
Its worth keeping a set in the spares kit.
I know John with his 44 needed some last year and they looked the same rack?
See you at Princethorpe if you are going there.

Regards Bob.

[spunkymonkey]

Well, I'll be ordering the materials mid-week, in 25mm diameter. As long as their outer diameter is smaller than that for the 66, no problem to do other sizes

[spunkymonkey]

No problems, John. And thanks for confirming the sizes - it seems they're the same for all models from the 600 to the 46.

Don't know about the 55 / 66 yet - if anyone happens to have a rack from one of those out of the car and can measure them it'd be appreciated

[daf44]

hi joe.

on the bushes i had from danny, it lists the bushes as fitting D44 - 46 - 55 - 66 - V66

hope this helps.

paul44

[spunkymonkey]

Well, the Oilon turned up today. When they say it's "wear resistant" they're not joking. It feels like normal nylon, (slightly soft) but cutting tools just slide off it - couldn't cut it with a hacksaw and my Bosch professional jigsaw was struggling - the blade just didn't want to bite.

Then seem to have blown the motor on my lathe turning the first set. Got a spare motor and knew this one was getting a little weak, but this stuff is TOUGH!!!! ;D

[Bob Scrivens]

Hi Joe I know that stuff is good, worked on some scissor lifts and they use to fit them to the piviot bearings on the arms and these things us to lift 4000+ Kgs and were designed to work out side, and I do not remember having to change any.

[spunkymonkey]

Just a quick update on these. Got a little side-tracked with the MOT on Betty and a few other things, but my lathe is now happy again and the first two sets are made. I've got to dismantle ours again because I got the steering wheel about 30 degrees out and I'll fitting a set to ours first to make absolutely sure the dimensions are right. Assuming all's well, will message those who were interested once they're fitted and sort out details.

Any other takers, let me know

[littlebelter]

L. O. Monkey.

I'll have a set for my 33you can e-mail me on [e-mail] to exchange particulars.

Thanks.

Pete.

[dafnut]

Hi Monkey,

Very interested in a set of the bushes for my 66. I'm told that the dimensions are all identical. If you can supply please let me know.

Just stripped a rack to find one bush is rubber! - probably accounts for the slop in the rack which had been overtightened to compensate.

I know from talking to Steve Bidwell that the club would be interested in purchasing some sets - say 5 is this possible 0r are we condemning you to an eternity at the lathe?

Roger

[spunkymonkey]

Rubber would certainly give interesting steering!! From when I changed ours, losing the play really transforms the feel of the steering!

Doing extra will be an eternity at the lathe, but the more I do of them the faster I get Not sure how many "spare" sets I can get out of the material I've got at the moment but can certainly do a pair for your 66. There are a couple of others who want sets but the club's welcome to any left over & can always get more rod if demand goes too high

Send me a PM or email me on [e-mail] and we can sort out the post details.

[dafnut]

Thanks.

Email on it's way.

R

[spunkymonkey]

Ok, it seems that the 66 rack has a longer top bush (from my 33, they're the same top and bottom). If anyone else who's had some can let me know of similar problems then I'll sort out any other odd lengths and make up a dimensions list across the range.

I'm a little worried about the 44's now if they're packing originals as "44-46-55-66" - although, reading the Autobooks, it seems like there may have been a rack change part-way through the 44's (it mentions early and late versions)?

Obviously no-one told them, if the design ain't broke, don't fix it!!! ;D