Steering column play

[StagnJag]

It is a Rapman 3.1 from 'bits from bytes: (http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/)

(I have a nice set of 1.5" Stag Alloys now!)

[dasadrew]

Flippin' 'eck, their prices have come down! Last time I looked there was another "0" on the back of those figures! Better sell those Airfix shares!

[jleyton]

Cheers Dave.

[martin]

It is a Rapman 3.1 from 'bits from bytes: (http://www.bitsfrombytes.com/)

(I have a nice set of 1.5" Stag Alloys now!)

I would LOVE to see a picture or two Dave. Martin.

[StagnJag]

Martin - I have put some pics in an album on my profile - I don't want to hyjack this thread too much!

To go back on track. Is this steering bush thingy one piece plastic, there was mention of rubber bits in the thread earlier. Does anyone have a photo of this item they could post? and I would really like some dimensions to see if I can do something with it. (The black is ABS plastic so it should be pretty tough if I can get it to print ok (It is a bit hit and miss!).

Rgds

Dave

[73stagman]

The replacement parts thing is made from plastic. The rubber bits were my invention when I made my own parts

[StagnJag]

Ah I see. It should be easily possible to print one then, I just need something to model from!

[dasadrew]

I'll sift through my steering bucket later but, as I recall, there is a slight trick to these bushes.

They have two protruding bosses to engage into holes in the outer steering column to stop them sliding up and down. As these bosses on a rigid plastic bush would make it impossible to insert it, the bush itself has to be a bit floppy. However, because this floppiness in the material would make these bosses too soft to keep the bushes in place, there are two metal braces on each bush which go partly around the outer circumference of the bush and effectively support the bosses, making them a bit more rigid.

Personally, I would think an easier solution would be to make a rigid plastic bush without bosses, then put it into position, drill through the bush through the outer steering column holes, and insert a plastic 'plug' to keep the bushes into position, securing the plugs from popping out with a ty-wrap or whatever. They can't fall into the column because the inner column is there preventing this.