Farrar's car blog

[jawn101]

I was told that Houston's would last a year, but after two months it was in pieces. I think the climate and roads here are very hard on that bushing.

Yeah, it's thin and made of flimsy material. Not Houston's fault but rather just a period design with period materials. No point in screwing with it when there's something so vastly superior readily available, IMHO. Especially when it's only 6 extra bucks.

http://delorean-parts.com/Merchant2/..._Code=101994DP

EDIT: Just noticed that the Houston bushing is listed as "improved" - so not period materials after all? No way a hunk of Delrin is going to fall apart on you though.

[Farrar]

Just noticed that the Houston bushing is listed as "improved" - so not period materials after all? No way a hunk of Delrin is going to fall apart on you though.

Correct: the Houston bushings are made of new material.

I am not familiar with Delrin. If it is so stiff, then would I not still have a clicking, vibrating steering wheel? I like the soft bushing because it's the next best thing you can get to a rag joint. The roads where I live are very rough and I don't like my steering wheel vibrating all the time. I just want an easier way of replacing the bushing every six months.

Here's my theory so y'all can shoot it down and/or make holes in it and/or dissuade me as appropriate: I think if I get a plastic square, make a hole in it the same size as the smallest edge of the bushing, then cut that plastic square in half. I can mount one half of the plastic square permanently to the car and make the other half removable. This would move the bushing toward the driver slightly, but would make R&R of the bushing a ten-minute job. (It would also not require removing the steering column, an operation during which I am almost guaranteed to break something or screw something up.)

Or maybe it's a bad idea. I trust y'all's judgment.

[jawn101]

Correct: the Houston bushings are made of new material.

I am not familiar with Delrin. If it is so stiff, then would I not still have a clicking, vibrating steering wheel? I like the soft bushing because it's the next best thing you can get to a rag joint. The roads where I live are very rough and I don't like my steering wheel vibrating all the time. I just want an easier way of replacing the bushing every six months.

Here's my theory so y'all can shoot it down and/or make holes in it and/or dissuade me as appropriate: I think if I get a plastic square, make a hole in it the same size as the smallest edge of the bushing, then cut that plastic square in half. I can mount one half of the plastic square permanently to the car and make the other half removable. This would move the bushing toward the driver slightly, but would make R&R of the bushing a ten-minute job. (It would also not require removing the steering column, an operation during which I am almost guaranteed to break something or screw something up.)

Or maybe it's a bad idea. I trust y'all's judgment.

It sounds like a reasonable enough idea, but it is really reinventing the wheel in more ways than one. Delrin is an advanced polymer characterized by its high strength, hardness and rigidity with a very low coefficient of friction (from Wikipedia) - this means that it provides a very soft feel when turning the column through it, but is exceedingly durable. The tolerances are so tight on both the outer and inner diameters that there is absolutely no rattle whatsoever. Pop the bushing into the firewall dry and smear a thin layer of lithium grease on the inner hole. The column end fits precisely through it with a tolerance I would measure in micrometers.

No rattle, scout's honor.

[Farrar]

No rattle, scout's honor.

Well, then, I guess it's time for me to investigate removal and replacement of the steering column! If I start spraying penetrating oil now, maybe I will be able to do the job some time in April.

[jawn101]

Well, then, I guess it's time for me to investigate removal and replacement of the steering column! If I start spraying penetrating oil now, maybe I will be able to do the job some time in April.

LOL, yeah If you feel at all like your shaft might need replacing, now or in the near future - this is 100% the time to do it as the column will have to come out for that too. Also a great time to do any binnacle work you might have on the radar.

Don't forget that the bolts on the steering shaft have to be *removed*, not just loosened for the column to come free. I didn't realize that when I did mine and worked way too hard as a result. Otherwise it's just 2 nyloc nuts and 3 wire connectors to remove. Not too bad, you can do it!

[Bitsyncmaster]

There were some problems with the "hard" bushing not adding drag on the column. I think the soft rubber will hold up if you prevent it from turning and cutting where it mounts. I locked mine in with RTV so it can not move. Time will tell if that makes it last.

[Farrar]

There were some problems with the "hard" bushing not adding drag on the column.

Is that Hervey's hard bushing (white) or DPNW's hard bushing (black)?

[jawn101]

There were some problems with the "hard" bushing not adding drag on the column.

Interesting perspective. I never thought of it being *too* smooth. I personally don't feel like there's an issue with this in my car but my original bushing was so worn out that as long as it didn't feel like metal on metal it was an improvement.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Is that Hervey's hard bushing (white) or DPNW's hard bushing (black)?

Don't remember. But I do remember many had to take a file to it to get the thing to work.

[Bitsyncmaster]

Interesting perspective. I never thought of it being *too* smooth. I personally don't feel like there's an issue with this in my car but my original bushing was so worn out that as long as it didn't feel like metal on metal it was an improvement.

I may have miss worded my statment. It would bind on the column and make it hard to turn.