Posts: 24
Location: Illinois
Posts: 2,440
My VIN: 11408
Club(s): (DMWC) (TXDMC) (DCUK) (DOI)
Do not split the bushing. It will not last long. The delrin one cannot be split anyway as it is not flexible. I am running the Delrin one, from Toby many years ago, works great. Dropping the column is not too much work.
Supercharged 5.3L LS4 + Porsche 6spd
[email protected]
lsdelorean.com
I am not affiliated with Delorean Midwest in anyway.
Location: Danvers, ma
Posts: 104
My VIN: 4328
I replaced mine w delorean go version last October with the polyurethane one, split it and installed no problems 5000 miles later
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 504
My VIN: Yes.
Club(s): (DCO) (DMA) (DCUK)
Don't forget about the internal bushing. It's brittle compared to the firewall one, and can crack or come loose, and when it does, it'll cause excess wear to the other. You'll
definitely have to pull the steering for this, but DGo do a Delrin one.
Location: Northern NJ
Posts: 8,579
My VIN: 10757 1st place Concourse 1998
I did the Delran one a long time ago. I had to make a puller with pieces of pipe, washers, threaded rod and nuts to get that thing in. It doesn't "give" like poly or rubber. Once I got it in when I put the steering column back I couldn't turn the wheel. I had to file the hole to fit the angle of the shaft going through it so it would turn smoothly. If you drove for a while with the old one after it was destroyed the hole in the bulkhead would be enlarged so it will be easier to get that Delran one in. R & R ing the steering column isn't that bad. Don't cut the Delran one, it won't last as long. Be sure to mark the steering shaft and take pictures before taking it apart. You MUST actually remove the bolts in the U joints, not just loosen them up. When you are done be sure to check that you aren't hitting the A/C hose and it is secured out of the way.
David Teitelbaum
Around 15 years ago I replaced mine with a soft one from DMCH. It lasted only 1-2 years. Then I got a Delrin one from Toby DMCPNW, and it's still working in the car today.
Interesting that DMCH now also offers theirs in Delrin. Clearly that's the way to go.
It's worth the trouble of disconnecting the steering column if you have to. Just try to line up the splines as best you can on re-assembly, and get a steering wheel puller and adjust your wheel afterwards.
Fun fact: for the first replacement, I rented a puller from the auto store. When I needed to do it again 1-2 years later, I *bought* a puller. And I've never needed it again! haha (very glad though -- the Delrin is great)
Derek L
VIN 5302
Another vote for the delrin bushing here. I just inspected mine after about 15 years last weekend and it's still going strong. No big deal to realign the steering wheel. I just take it off (either with a puller or thread the nut back on halfway and use an air chisel to briefly brap-brap the steering column while pulling up on the wheel and it comes right off). Then when you're ready to check the steering wheel alignment, put the washer and nut back on finger-tight and take a drive down a good straight road. Stop and remove the wheel and realign it until it's perfect, then re-tighten when you get back home.
Andy Lien
VIN 11596 Jan 1982 build - owned since Nov. 2000!
Total frame-off restoration completed 2021-2023
Photography and Backpacking is life.
Was Fargo, ND
Now Kansas City
Posts: 446
Ryan,
Good description. Thanks. I was hoping there would be enough room to install after sliding the steering rod up into the steering column. My upper universal connection to the steering column is rusty and I have been shooting it with PB Blaster for several days. Did you have any issue getting the column free from the universal fitting? Any tips?
Ron
PA230063.jpg
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 504
My VIN: Yes.
Club(s): (DCO) (DMA) (DCUK)