Steering shaft bushing bad again! This one didn't last too long...

[DeLorean]

So when I got the car less than 2 years ago, the steering shaft bushing was one of the first things I replaced. I have probably put about 6000 miles on the car since then, and just the other day I noticed that I had picked up a significant amount of steering up/down play again. I checked, and yep... bad bushing, again.

SO I won't be getting another bushing from DMCH, because that sort of a lifespan is just ridiculous. What bushing is going to have a better lifespan? I don't mind about difficulty of instillation, pulling the steering column is no big deal.

[WelmoedJ]

So when I got the car less than 2 years ago, the steering shaft bushing was one of the first things I replaced. I have probably put about 6000 miles on the car since then, and just the other day I noticed that I had picked up a significant amount of steering up/down play again. I checked, and yep... bad bushing, again.

SO I won't be getting another bushing from DMCH, because that sort of a lifespan is just ridiculous. What bushing is going to have a better lifespan? I don't mind about difficulty of instillation, pulling the steering column is no big deal.

Don't blame it immediately on the vendor.
You mentioned only having the car some 2 years.
Did it have a bad bushing at that time?
If so the previous owner probably has not been interested in replacing the bad bushing immediately.
If the steering shaft runs around in a bad bushing it may get damages.
These damages can have caused a "premature" end of the bushing's life.
Therefore, before replacing the bushing, check the shaft for damages caused by hitting the bushings seat.

[jawn101]

Get the Delrin bushing from Toby at DPNW. It will last the lifetime of the car and is a perfect fit with no rattles. The steering column glides over it like there's nothing there. You will have a bit of a time getting it to pop into the hole because Delrin doesn't "give" very much but resist the temptation to cut it in half, like some people advocate. It is possible to pop it through the firewall in one piece.

[Chris4099]

Another +1 for Toby's. Pain in the ass to install, but should last forever.

[DeLorean03]

I'll vouch for John Herveys. Got it in the 2005 time area. Had it 7 years - absolutely no troubles whatsoever,

[David T]

In many cases it is not the part that is bad so much as the way it is installed. Parts can be damaged by improper installation. There do not seem to be many complaints about any vender's bushings. The Delron bushing is a great piece but it can be difficult to install.
David Teitelbaum

[jawn101]

The trick with the Delrin bushing is to use a TAB and a lot of fender washers. Thread the TAB through a bunch of washers larger than the bushing, then the bushing, then the hole in the firewall, then a bunch more washers, then the nut. Crank down on both ends (you may need a friend to hold one for you) and the bushing will pop into place with a really loud POP.

Obviously the steering column needs to come out for this to work, which is a PITA in and of itself. But worth it.

[David T]

To make an installer get a short pipe nipple large enough to fit over the bushing, a couple of large flat washers, a short piece of threaded rod and some nuts. Once you position the bushing and assemble the installer, you just tighten the nuts and squeeze it right in. It does require removal of the steering column. I found once I installed the bushing I had to file the inner hole a little so the column would angle correctly and not rub so hard on the bushing. I also dislike cutting the bushing to put it in.
David

[mowpow]

Just got 3154 delivered to my house this week, and on first drive I noticed that the steering column is rattling around and hitting the firewall where I think the bushing used to be. It's pretty nasty right with some kind of grease or something so I can't tell quite yet until I get it cleaned up if there is anything there. I was wondering what a TAB is mentioned in jawn101's post. Can someone fill me in? I want to take the column out to see if it's been ground up since I don't know how long it's been like this so I want to make a tool to install the bushing.

Thanks,
Jake

[jawn101]

Just got 3154 delivered to my house this week, and on first drive I noticed that the steering column is rattling around and hitting the firewall where I think the bushing used to be. It's pretty nasty right with some kind of grease or something so I can't tell quite yet until I get it cleaned up if there is anything there. I was wondering what a TAB is mentioned in jawn101's post. Can someone fill me in? I want to take the column out to see if it's been ground up since I don't know how long it's been like this so I want to make a tool to install the bushing.

Thanks,
Jake

TAB is a trailing arm bolt. Most of us have them laying around having recently replaced or planning to replace them. It's just a conveniently long and proper diameter bolt.

[David T]

Or as I mentioned in an earlier post, a short piece of threaded rod, some nuts, washers, and a pipe nipple. The problem with using a TAB, it may not have enough thread depending on which one you have. Some do not have much thread on them. The steering shaft goes through the bushing at an angle. You may have to file the hole slightly so it doesn't rub so hard on the bushing. Make sure the shaft is not all scratched up or nicked up from rubbing on the firewall. If it is not smooth it will chew up the new bushing. Not a difficult job, just time consuming because you have to remove the steering column and the steering shaft with the U-joints may not come apart easily. You must remove the bolts, not just loosen them to get the u-joints off. Remove the driver's seat too, it makes it easier to get under the dash. Make sure you mark everything so when you put the column back your steering wheel is centered when the wheels are straight ahead. If there is a lot of play in the U-joints they should be replaced. If not then just lubricate them well and reinstall.
David Teitelbaum

[Jeff K]

So when I got the car less than 2 years ago, the steering shaft bushing was one of the first things I replaced. I have probably put about 6000 miles on the car since then, and just the other day I noticed that I had picked up a significant amount of steering up/down play again. I checked, and yep... bad bushing, again.

SO I won't be getting another bushing from DMCH, because that sort of a lifespan is just ridiculous. What bushing is going to have a better lifespan? I don't mind about difficulty of instillation, pulling the steering column is no big deal.

On my two cars, the hole where the steering bushing goes was reamed out larger then factory specs. Probably because of the previous owner neglecting the bushing for too long. This makes the bushing fit poorly and prematurely fail. I bolted a fender washer in that sport and put in a new bushing. It's tight as a drum now.

I wish one of the vendors would make a bearing and mounting kit though, get rid of that bushing.

[DeLorean]

I wish one of the vendors would make a bearing and mounting kit though, get rid of that bushing.

Would be nice... I am going to go the plastic bushing route. Only thing I worry about there is the difficulty of removal if it does have a failure since it is so hard to get in there.

[DMC5180]

It depends on which version you install. IF it ever failed taking out what's left would be easy.

The version from DMCH has cross cut slits to allow it the Taper end to collapse inward enough to push through the opening for easier installation.

I have the "Original" Darryl Tinnerstet (Specialty Auto) version aka Toby's DPNW version. It''s been in the car at least 14 years with no signs of wear whatsoever. I just had my head under the dash earlier today fixing a popping sound when the clutch pedal was depressed. I took a good look at things while I was under there including the column bushing. It looked just like the day I installed it.

Interesting side note. I did DMC Certification judging at DCS 12 this year. One of the cars (which had been sitting in a museum 30 years) did not have a steering column bushing and probably never did.

[ramblinmike]

I'm fairly confident 910 never had a bushing until I installed one.

[Henrik]

You must remove the bolts, not just loosen them to get the u-joints off. David Teitelbaum

So maybe that's the trick to un-stick the steering column intermediate shaft. Per the Workshop Manual I only loosened the pinch bolts. I'll try removing them altogether tonight.

My steering rack is relatively new so I am surprised how hard it is the get it to come apart....

[jawn101]

So maybe that's the trick to un-stick the steering column intermediate shaft. Per the Workshop Manual I only loosened the pinch bolts. I'll try removing them altogether tonight.

My steering rack is relatively new so I am surprised how hard it is the get it to come apart....

Definitely remove them. They slide through a divot in the shaft and will keep holding on even if loosened.

[Henrik]

My steering moans and groans whan I turn the wheel. I have never been able to pinpoint the source. Could it be the bushing where the steering solumn penetrates the fire wall?

Admins: The apparant sexual inuendo is entirely unintentional and coincidental... :)

[Henrik]

Definitely remove them. They slide through a divot in the shaft and will keep holding on even if loosened.

Great!!!

[David T]

My steering moans and groans whan I turn the wheel. I have never been able to pinpoint the source. Could it be the bushing where the steering solumn penetrates the fire wall?

Admins: The apparant sexual inuendo is entirely unintentional and coincidental... :)

Put some silicone spray on it and see if the noise goes away.

[Henrik]

Put some silicone spray on it and see if the noise goes away.

Thanks - I'll just go ahead and replace it. I am swapping out the entire pedal box so bushing removal/install should be relatively easy while I have it out. Does a new bushing need to be lubed?

[kings1527]

Thanks - I'll just go ahead and replace it. I am swapping out the entire pedal box so bushing removal/install should be relatively easy while I have it out. Does a new bushing need to be lubed?

I installed the Delrin bushing when I did the job on my car and I did use just a little bit of common grease to make installation a bit easier. I didn't have any trouble with installation at all. I took a couple 1/2" drive extensions and turned it into a long one and took a properly sized socket and attached it to the other end. Then I took a single jack and gave it a few solid hits until it snapped very distinctly in place. And that was that.

340663406734068340693407034071

[Henrik]

...and I did use just a little bit of common grease

Awesome! So, the fact that the steering shaft goes thru at an angle and the bushing is more or less level (horizontal) is not an issue with the harder Delrin? Also, any lube needed on the inside?

[kings1527]

Awesome! So, the fact that the steering shaft goes thru at an angle and the bushing is more or less level (horizontal) is not an issue with the harder Delrin? Also, any lube needed on the inside?

Nope. No problems with any of that. I think everything lines itself up when it's in place. No lube needed on the inside.

[David T]

Nope. No problems with any of that. I think everything lines itself up when it's in place. No lube needed on the inside.

The Delrin is kind of self-lubricating but a little bit of lube can't hurt.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

I wanted to let everyone know that we recently switched from delrin to teflon as the base material for our steering bulkhead bushings. Delrin is strong and longlasting but it is very stiff and transmits more road vibration than the stock bushing. Teflon is a bit softer therefore transmitting less vibration and is much more "self-lubricating" than delrin so the service life should be even longer. Teflon is well known for its longwearing/self-lubricating properties. Thats why it's used in nonstick pots and pans. I like these bushings much better than the old delrin version though both are longlasting compared to stock and the "other" referenced version. Our bushing also has a pronounced rib that holds it in position better than some others I've encountered. I'll stop short of saying I'm excited about this as how exciting can a new bushing really be but I'm always trying to improve our products and think I "nailed" it this time. OK I'm going back to work now....just my two cents!
Rob Grady




The Delrin is kind of self-lubricating but a little bit of lube can't hurt.

[Henrik]

I'm always trying to improve our products and think I "nailed" it this time.

Well, Rob, with a sales pitch like that then I will be your (first ?) customer for this new and exciting product!

[Doogie]

I replaced my steering bushing about 2 years ago with a "White Plastic" one. Harder then hell to get in, but the original one came out in pieces....

Fixed the extremely loose steering column instantly.... but...

Is that the Delron one or????

tia,

Doogie

[Patrick C]

I replaced my steering bushing about 2 years ago with a "White Plastic" one. Harder then hell to get in, but the original one came out in pieces....

Fixed the extremely loose steering column instantly.... but...

Is that the Delron one or????

tia,

Doogie

The white plastic bushings were usually made of Delrin.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Actually Henrick we made these last summer and have sold dozens so you won't be a "Guinea Pig". They work fantastic and I am totally happy with them so you can buy with confidence. Thank you for your reply.
Rob
Well, Rob, with a sales pitch like that then I will be your (first ?) customer for this new and exciting product!