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MG MGA - Steering column bushes

Its about s yesr now since Todd kindly produced some nylon steering column bushes to replace the felt ones.

I was wondering how those of you that fitted the nylon type were getting on. The reason for the question is mine were a little on the tight side and I expected them to loosen up with use. This has not happened so I'm going to pull them out and see if I can either polish the column or bush to make them a little looser.

Any thoughts?

Regards...John Bray
J Bray

Mine have worked perfectly. No problems at all.
Frank Nocera

Have had no problems at all with mine. Happy with them.
Jerry Murphy

John,
Usually the problem is the tube not the shaft. test fit on the shaft w/o the tube. Also make sure that the o-rings did not get dislodged while installing them. Look for dents / rust / etc. in the tube.
Todd
Todd C.

todd c,have anymore?i need a set
c.callaway

Todd,
Mine were the earlier prototype 2 piece bushes without o-rings. I've taken the column out and re-polished it, and at the same time relieved the bushes a little and it is now more to my personal taste.

I'm very happy with the bushes and although a little tight at the moment I appreciate that unlike felt bushes these will still be usable in 10 years time.

Regards...John Bray
J Bray

C.C.
I would have to make some more if your interested.
Todd
Todd C.

yes please,you see my email address.thanks
c

This would be a good time for all interested (wisely) to LET Todd KNOW, so he can make a slightly more cost-efficient run of these! I would like a set as well...my email address also shown. Thanks Todd
Jon Bachelor

John

I had the same problem fitting mine, and the advice was to take a cylinder home and remove the rust on the inside of the column tube.

A year on, I can only recommend the change. I also have the early version without the O ring. It was a pig to fit, but I do have slop free steering.

Also nice to see someone else whose fingers work faster than the brain as far as spelling goes..............

Dominic
dominic clancy

Should read cylinder HONE

dominic

Todd,
Please include me on your list if you make a new run of the nylon bushes. I've followed this project with interest. As I now need to replace the felt bushes, your improved replacements are a welcome alternative. I have an adjustable steering column and I noticed that Moss lists different part #s for the top bush depending on the adjustable/non adjustable column types. Do your bushes work with both types of steering columns? -M.S.
Martin Straka

Mot to try to be a salesman, but it would be best for those interested to letr me know. I can make them only when the machine is available and I always have to toss out 1 or 2 for set-ups and testing. I don't like to stock them because they can grow a couple thousands of an inch if not installed and I throw tese away also. I may switch to Delrin (also a bearing material) which may make a slight difference. I like being able to contribute to the hobby although it is quite difficult to just make 1 set at a time.
My home computer is down so I can only respond from work. I will check back after the weekend.
Thanks,
Todd C.
Todd C.

Martin,
Believe it or not, no one has yet had a non-adjustable colimn.
Todd
Todd C.

Todd,

Add me to the list of those in need of another set of bushings.

Thanks,

Randy Myers
59 roadster, coupe
Randy Myers

Add me to the list, please. I was just about ready to install felt bushings.
Jim Bowe

Todd,

Add me to the list of those interested in a set.

Thanks,
Dave
David Ahrendt

Okay, my curiosity is totally peaked. Does anyone have a picture of these nylon bushings? And what's the story with the o-rings?

Original felt bushes ran 19 years and 150,000 miles in my MGA before the restoration. I didn't drive it before restoration, so not sure about the condition of those bushings at the time.

Replacement felt bushes ran 18 years and 188,000 miiles in service after the restoration. These were still in serviceable condition, but getting loose enough to bug me a little. I replaced them again last year. Since I have slowed down a bit on driving mileage, I suppose they may last another 20 years.

I know in past years the thickness of replacement felt bushings has been a problem, requiring a little tact and understanding to install (translation = PITA). I would guess that machined plastic parts should drop right in with no fuss (still curious about the o-rings).

I am a little concerned about longevity of the nylon parts, for a couple of reasons. As Todd noted, nylon tends to swell a bit in long term storage, so initial fitting could (occasionally) have some problem.

My greater concern is long term aging of the material. Nylon tends to get brittle and crack, particularly after 10 years or more in use, and especially in the presense of heat. The bottom steering column bushing is close enough to the exhaust side of the engine to see "significant" thermal cycling over time. Indeed Delrin should be a bit more resistant to age embrittlement, as well as more stable in storage.

I don't need new bushings at this time, but I would certainly like to post some pictures and the source on my web site. I would also like to hear from anyone who has long term experience with these parts, like on the order of 10 years or more of road service.

Barney
Barney Gaylord

Barney,
Todd wrote last year (you can find it in the archives) about replacing his bushings with nylon. To make the bushings easily installed, it was determined to make 2 piece bushings, grooved on the outside top and bottom to fit O-rings. These would allow a snug fit inside the column and allow for some slop or corrosion in original manufacture of the column. I don't know for certain whether Todd has two orings or only one on the bushings.
mike parker

There are 3 o-rings on the top bush and 2 on the center bush. The melting point of nyloil is 450F and delrin is 350F. Nylon has and is used in automotive applications for years. usually the are slit diaganally as in older Harler clutch levers and I believe in a 1969 Chevelle's clutch and brake pedal assembly that I had many years ago. Its going to be a 9 year wait for the 10 year evaluation.
Barney, if you want I can send a set to you to look at. By the way, I used your alt. conversion article and worked fine. Although no mention of where to put the coil so I mounted it to the alt. bracket vertically behind the alt.
Todd
Todd C.

Todd,
I don't really need the samples, as I don't intend to replace mine again any time soon. A good picture would do as well, as I would like to post this on my web site as an alterneative part (with reference to the source of course). If you think sending the parts is more convenient than sending a picture, lemmeno and I'll forward my postal addres.

I know what you mean about waiting for the 10 year test results. I put so many miles on my MGA that it makes a good test bed, and has prodeced more than a few 10-year results. I have lots of broken plastic parts that didn't last 10 years (mostly from newer cars), and heat around the engine definitely aggrevates things.

I don't think you have to worry about the melting point of either Nylon or Delrin for the steering column bushings, as temperature on the steel tube would probebly never boil water. When I mentioned temperature stability of Delrin I was refering to less thermal distortion and better long term durability when used well with the normal operating range of the material.

Side note (strike the text if it bothers you):
After 12 years and 140,000 miles of running DOT5 with no problem, I changed out all the rubber bits and switched to DOT4 for another long term test. Unfortunately that test was completed in 18 months with regularly polluted fluid and a final master cylinder leak. I never did figure out what rubber bits were bad, but suspect bad seals in the master cylinder kit.

Barney
Barney Gaylord

just keeping this thread up.thanks todd
c.callaway

Add me to the list also Todd please
clive skelhorn

I'll try and get my address right this time
clive skelhorn

I would also be interested in a set
Kris
Kris Sorensen

To all requesting a set, I will email you with info. Thanks, Todd
Todd C.

Todd, please add me to your list.
Joe Beck
Joe Beck

and I please.
Thanks
Al
Al McMillan

Todd,
Add me to your list.
Thanks.
mike parker

Todd, add me to your list for bushing. Also did you receved any grey door seals for the Coupe? I have been out of town and have not heard back from you on the door seals. Thanks: Cliff Jones (SC)
C.C. Jones

Todd,
Add me to the list for bushings.

Thanks
James Ferguson

Hi Todd
I would like a set too please.
Randy
R England

I have emailed all that requested a set. Only a few have responded back. I would like to make them next week for those who have responded. For those who have not, please do so IF you are still interested. I do not want to delay too long for those that have replied. I don't want to short anyone, but I also don't want to run a bunch of extras.
Thank You
Todd
Todd C.

This thread was discussed between 23/05/2005 and 16/06/2005

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