Steering Column Movement. Bushing Time? VIDEO!

[Nuclearbacon]

Hello DMCers!!!!

I noticed my steering column had a bit of movement and made some interesting noise when going over larger bumps.

So I took this video of the car parked with my steering wheel adjusted as high as it could go with the lock on tight.

The column does this when I grab the steering wheel and try to move the entire housing up or down, left to right. (not turn the wheel) (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq7x2eRpkkc)

From what I'm reading, this is a bushing issue right? Or my entire steering rack is loose somehow. I've never done a steering bushing, but I've also had never heard of an accumulator before this car. Learning all the time!

Thanks!

[Patrick C]

Looks like you need a new bushing. The originals are a softer grey rubber like that, and the new ones are either a hard black rubber or white delrin plastic. It appears your entire bushing is moving, making me think the bottom half has fallen apart and isn't gripping the hole in the firewall anymore.

http://delorean-parts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DPNW&Product_Code=101994DP

[Rich]

I noticed my steering column had a bit of movement and made some interesting noise when going over larger bumps.

So I took this video of the car parked with my steering wheel adjusted as high as it could go with the lock on tight.

From what I'm reading, this is a bushing issue right? Or my entire steering rack is loose somehow.

You nailed it. Steering column bushing thru the firewall is shot.

http://store.delorean.com/p-7364-bushing-strg-column.aspx

It's a common problem with the car, relatively easily dealt with. Not quickly, but relatively easily. The new/upgraded ones last a lot longer.

Not to say your steering rack is solid but what you show isn't related to that. Racks typically do not loosen themselves.

[Josh]

When I got my car it had no bushing at all. Replaced it with the dmch bushing, same as the original, the one Rich linked to. Was destroyed in about 1000kms, waste of time and money. DO NOT BUY THIS BUSHING.
I bought toby's bushing and there is no looking back. Takes a bit of force to get it seated but when its in there is great. Rock solid column once again.

[Ryan King]

Best one to get.

I love mine.

http://delorean-parts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DPNW&Product_Code=101994DP

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I have to disagree as the last one or two of those I stumbled on had been installed by PO's or other shops. I went to replace what I figured was a bad factory bushing and these would just slide out of position due to a loose fit in the firewall! We make ours out of Delrin too but ours is white and has a proper lip to lock into the firewall. Sorry it's also not on the site yet but we do have a toll free order line in the meantime. I have so many parts and so little time.
Rob


Best one to get.

I love mine.

http://delorean-parts.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=DPNW&Product_Code=101994DP

[Trstno1]

Stupid question...... I keep reading about Toby tabs and other Tony parts. what vender is Toby with? Is it DMCNW?

[ccurzio]

Stupid question...... I keep reading about Toby tabs and other Tony parts. what vender is Toby with? Is it DMCNW?

Yes. (http://dmctalk.org/member.php?251-DMCNW-Toby)

[Bitsyncmaster]

I've had the soft rubber DMCH unit and everything is still fine. I did use RTV to keep it from moving on the metal plate. I figured movement there could cut the rubber.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Hi Dave,

Don't kill the messinger but your clutch master cyl. appears to be leaking a fair amount!?!?!
Rob



I've had the soft rubber DMCH unit and everything is still fine. I did use RTV to keep it from moving on the metal plate. I figured movement there could cut the rubber.

[David T]

I've had the soft rubber DMCH unit and everything is still fine. I did use RTV to keep it from moving on the metal plate. I figured movement there could cut the rubber.

The rubber ones will wear out. They are a LOT easier to install. The Delrin is a tough plastic (like nylon) and is a b-tch to install. I had to make up a puller out of some pipe nipples, threaded rod, washers and nuts. Once it got it in I couldn't get the column and shaft through. It goes through at an angle so I had to file the bushing to get a good fit. Now it feels solid as a rock. In fact, since the Delrin is not compliant like rubber maybe it is too stiff. Anyway it is a LOT better than no bushing! And it will never wear out. If the hole in the firewall is all messed up because the car was driven a long time with no bushing the rubber one will just come out.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Hi Dave,

Don't kill the messinger but your clutch master cyl. appears to be leaking a fair amount!?!?!
Rob

Thanks. That is an old photo but I have not changed the master yet. It may be leaking a little. Think I added fluid one time in the past year. I will keep an eye on it.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Who's Delrin bushing are you talking about Dave? Our's is slotted in the right places to allow an easy install so I've never heard any complaints about installation problems. I could have an installer made for them easily if there is a need. Yes Delrin is much hader than rubber and will probably never wear out but the negative is a little more road feel as the rubber version cushions vibration better. If people don't mind replacing them occasionally (like the softer ones available". I could make a softer version. Teflon may be a good compromise between rubber and Delrin. I'd already considered it but since I haven't had any complaints about increased vibration either I left it "on the backburner". I could do a "Comfort" version too if there is any demand for it.

Good mention on the hole elongation problem. That's what happens when someone ignores the banging and looseness with a bad bushing. You can damage both the steering column and the steel bulkhead opening. The column can be replaced but the bulkhead hole has to be built up with weld and ground down to the correct size. That is a laborious and potentialy expensive/s job between the two casualties from ignoring the problem. Do not drive the car anywhere but home with a broken bushing.
Rob

QUOTE=David T;169306]The rubber ones will wear out. They are a LOT easier to install. The Delrin is a tough plastic (like nylon) and is a b-tch to install. I had to make up a puller out of some pipe nipples, threaded rod, washers and nuts. Once it got it in I couldn't get the column and shaft through. It goes through at an angle so I had to file the bushing to get a good fit. Now it feels solid as a rock. In fact, since the Delrin is not compliant like rubber maybe it is too stiff. Anyway it is a LOT better than no bushing! And it will never wear out. If the hole in the firewall is all messed up because the car was driven a long time with no bushing the rubber one will just come out.[/QUOTE]

[David T]

The bushing I used was from DMCH back in 2006 and it was hard as a rock! I still have the installer I made. No way that thing was going to go in without it! As for vibration and "road feel", if you don't have old tires that are also hard as rocks you don't notice it. The biggest difference ever was finally replacing the original NCT's with new Michelins. It was really amazing how hard tires can get when they get old. No matter how good they look or how much tread there is, after 10 years tires are garbage. Like most things on a car, if you ignore the problem it often gets worse and more expensive to fix. The bushing (whichever one you choose to get) is not expensive BUT it takes a bit of work to put it in. DO NOT use the rubber one and figure if you cut it you can skip taking the column out. It will just go bad that much quicker.

[Timebender]

Mine is loose too. How do we replace it?

[DrJeff]

... DO NOT use the rubber one and figure if you cut it you can skip taking the column out. It will just go bad that much quicker.

I replaced mine (not rubber and without cutting it) without removing the steering column. I just withdrew the end of the column about 2-3 inches until it was clear of the firewall. Awkward job but not difficult.

[David T]

I replaced mine (not rubber and without cutting it) without removing the steering column. I just withdrew the end of the column about 2-3 inches until it was clear of the firewall. Awkward job but not difficult.

You can do that if the new one will go in without using a puller. No room for the puller with the steering column still in.

[DrJeff]

You can do that if the new one will go in without using a puller. No room for the puller with the steering column still in.

I made a puller using some washers and an old socket. The only space required on the steering column side was enough for the bushing (before being fitted and a large washer) - probably 1in including wiggle room.