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MG MGB Technical - Steering column top bearing repair

Taking a survey here-how many of you have 68 thru 76 collapsable steering columns with bad top ball bearings. This is the column that parts are not availiabe for. And would you be interested in a kit to repair the common slop?
gerry masterman

Gerry-
Oh, man, you'd better believe it!
Steve S.

Sign me up!!

Dave
Dave Whitehead

I'm thinking along two lines here-one a set of poly or teflon bushings to replace both the uper and lower bearings, and would require complete disassembly of the column, and two, a DIY kit to replace just the more troublesome top bearing with the column still in place. A roller bearing conversion for the top is also being considered. Looking for input here. Poly is cheapest, teflon considerably more expensive and roller bearing will be even more expensive, yet. Still in the prototype stage at this point. No price estimates yet, either, but I'm trying to keep things affordable for the average MG'er
gerry masterman

Gerry-
Teflon has lubricity only at high temperatures, so you can forget about good long-term wear. Polyurethane bushes can squeak something awful. Now, a caged roller bearings sounds great! Timken?
Steve S.

Steve, both teflon and poly are plenty slick for this application, and the only reason either would squeek is if clearences are too tight. The roller bearing is only an outside possibility because of space constraints.The rollers will have to contact the steering shaft itself rather than a hardened sleeve, not the best application. To use the complete roller or ball bearings availiable would require a complete redesign of the column ends and would be far too expensive for anyone but a deep pocketed enthuistist
gerry masterman

Gerry,

I have been trying to source a slim profile bearing for this. I have access to a machine shop and was going to make up the necessary sleeves. I have the column apart right now and was going to solves this by April. What is your time line like, maybe I will gave yours a shot.

Shareef Hassan

Gerry,
This would indeed be great. To go over a bump and not have my entire steering assembly rattle - I was starting to accept that this was impossible!
Adam Birnbaum

Gerry, For my 73 MGB I machined two, .250" thick nylon, self lubricating bearings. One was fitted into the bearing cup - just behind the steering wheel, and the other bearing was placed down in the column, just before the ignition key. I did this last summer and it has been a great fix. It removed all the play in my steering wheel and was very easy to make and install. My entire investment was about ten dollars and one afternoon of my time. It made my car so much more enjoyable and fun to drive. What ever you come up with, speaking as an automotive Industrial Designer, keep it simple. There is no need to make your fix expensive or complicated. If anyone wants details, email me and I will tell you how I did it.
Robert Browning

What? There's a bearing up there?

I thought all that slop & play was part of the
steering wheel tilt mechanism!

Count me in.
Daniel Wong

Gerry,

I would be very interested.

Jim
'74 MGB
Jim Budrow

Here are some photos of a disassembled steering column.
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/flash1929/album?.dir=/MGB+Steering+Column+upper+bearings
I peened the bearing housing around the ball bearings and that took care of most of the free play. I learned this from some John Twist notes. Gerry's idea of using a replacement bearing would be the best solution. Clifton
Clifton Gordon

and I took Clifton's advise last spring and ball peened the play out of the top bearing and it works just great and only took a few minutes of my time and no costs but my own cheap labor.
Eric Willis

Gerry,
This is a fix I'm planning on doing in the next month or two. I'm very interested in more information.
Thanks,
Tony

'74 B (CB)
Tony Grasso

Another great thing about the 69: "adjustable" upper column bearings.
Gerry, sounds like you have a winner on your hands.
Andy Blackley

Gerry

Check out the MGA Thread: Dominic on felt bushings? Solution to a similar problem with the MGA.

FWIW

Larry
69 Cs with collapsable steering columns
Larry Hallanger

This thread was discussed between 22/02/2004 and 24/02/2004

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