Excel Steering Column

[Lozza74]

Both top and bottom bearings in the steering column I want to use (because the bulkhead mount is not too rusted) need replacing.
Ive managed to remove the inner column from the outer, but only because the lower bearing was rusted to nothing.

Does anyone know how I can replace the bearings?
To make it interesting I have another column that has decent bearings in it, but in this one I cant extract the inner column because the section for the steering lock is too big to pass through the lower bearing.





I think I will be able to swap over the aluminium collars holding the top bearing between the 2 columns, but the lower bearing has got me stumped.

Thanks!

[Pete Boole]

ISTR that the lower bearing is a tiny spring-loaded angular contact bearing - barely adequate even when new! I'll have a look to see if I have a useable spare - but I don't think so.

Pete

[Pete Boole]

OK - sorry for late reply . I can see two ways of removing the lower bearing, and three ways to reinstall:

Removing:

1. The lower bearing and plastic "lock" are prevented from coming off the bottom of the shaft by a small lip (which is part of the splined section welded to the bottom tube) - if you were to file this off so it is flush with the o/d of the tube the bearing etc.. will slide off.

2. Pull the sliding upper section out of the "double D" outer section - the bearing will then slide off upwards (I wouldn't recommend this!)

Both of these are "destructive" to some extent.

Replacing:

1. Having filed off the small lip you now need some way of retaining the bearing assembly: You could put a suitably sized spacer above the u/j - maybe with a short spring - which would prevent the bearing assembly moving downwards.

or:

2. My preferred method - turn a small groove immediately above the original lip onto which you can place an external circlip making the whole thing more serviceable in future.

3. If you choose to slide the telescopic sections apart you now need to find some way of replacing the plastic that presumeably was injected into place originally. I have heard of suspension ball joints being remade in situ so maybe some investigation might reveal some way of doing it. Some sort of hot melt?

Where abouts in the world are you?

I'll see what size circlip would be needed. I've also got an old lower section of steering column to play with - I'll turn off the lip and put a groove in it just by way of an experiment

Pete

[Lozza74]

Thanks Pete, Some of your ideas align with where my thought have been heading.

Turning a groove just above the wider 'washer' at the start of the bottom splines is one option I was thinking about, but as you say is destructive.
Splitting the halves of the inner column is likely to be my last option. Articles on MGB columns (which are remarkably similar) say its physically difficult to split the halves, and then suggest hot glue to re-join them.

Im actually thinking the first thing I will try is to turn up a Delrin bearing, and see if I can split it with a knife so I can slip it over the 'washer' and onto the lower column, then press it into the outer column. Evidently Gerry Masterman used to make these bearings for MGB's, but stopped several years ago - making one and splitting it is just my idea of how I can get it to fit.

If that doesnt work I will probably try the approach of turning a groove on the column. Im a bit wary of that though as my skills on a lathe are not very good, even though I own a small lathe.

Ive got as far as ordering some Delrin stock. Once that arrives Ill find some time to turn it to size.

Richard

[Pete Boole]

Since the lip on the lower end of the column wouldn't be needed with a solid bush you could just remove it - then you wouldn't need to split the bush. You could also consider a bronze bush. If you weld a captive nut onto the bottom of the outer colmun you could use a dog point grub screw to retain the bush.

The other idea I had was to split the sliding elements of the column and again weld captive nuts to the outer D-section and use dog point grub screws to nip up the sliding elements but not so tight as to prevent them sliding in an accident.

Pete