Steering column rebuild

[sujitroy]

I'm rebuilding my Mk1 steering column and am wondering why did Triumph use a funny shaped nut on the columns adjustment /locking lever and not a regular lock nut. Anyone know?

Also, the end of the column where it goes through the bulk head, there appears to be a blue tack type stuff on it. Is the grommet not good enough for a seal?

I also have to replace those nylon bushes, part no. 153040 in the column. Man, they are not cheap. I'm going to ask my son and see if he can make a pair on his borrowed 3D printer.

Sujit

[trunt]

Sujit

check ebay. Robsport, I saw them today much cheaper than Rimmer, postage wasn’t awful either

terry

[Lingen]

Sujit.
As Terry says, they seem to be selling them for £19.20. However, they are also available from other well known Stag parts suppliers from as little as £7.25, and I happen to know that these are quality parts made from the correct material.
Mike.

[trunt]

Found it

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Triumph-STAG-STEERING-COLUMN-BUSH-Inner-to-outer-153040/291488462615?fits=Model%3AStag&hash=item43de10f717:g:qggAAOSwMwddcivh

[mole42]

Also, the end of the column where it goes through the bulk head, there appears to be a blue tack type stuff on it. Is the grommet not good enough for a seal?

Most Triumph cars used mastic to seal anything that goes through a bulkhead. It's to stop water, dust and noise.

[Phil S]

its trade name back in the day was "dum dum"stayed soft for years

[trunt]

Its handy stuff, I have used it in various places to assist the rubber grommets etc. or even to replace them. like the heater drains, I couldnt get a grommet in there.

The new vesion is available online called "Butyl tape" Last time I was buying stuff for my VW/Audi I saw it at a reasonable price from VW so picked up a new roll at the same time..

Terry

[sujitroy]

So my son made a bush out of plastic from a 3D printer. The material is not flexible enough to get down the tube. In my case the middle bush has disintegrated but is still there stuck to the tube. so there is not much play there. I may try making a bush with a flange and stick it on the end with a hose clamp. What have others done in-place of the correct bush?

Sujit

[Lingen]

Sujit. They are made out of a strong flexible material, so are easy to fit in the tube. I suspect that most people who need them just buy the ones made for the job, avoiding the ones that cost £19+ !

[sujitroy]

I need to order some parts out of UK on Monday but in the mean time since we have a shelter in place order so I may have a few more goes, else I'll get a couple. Printing doesn't take too much time.I cut a slot out of the bush and was able to feed it down the tube. it has enough springiness so it sits quit well. The only problem now is its slightly too thick and the inner tube doesn't fit.
Anyway, I'm not going to bore people anymore. I'm report back on Sunday.

[jbuckl]

I need to order some parts out of UK on Monday but in the mean time since we have a shelter in place order so I may have a few more goes, else I'll get a couple. Printing doesn't take too much time.I cut a slot out of the bush and was able to feed it down the tube. it has enough springiness so it sits quit well. The only problem now is its slightly too thick and the inner tube doesn't fit.
Anyway, I'm not going to bore people anymore. I'm report back on Sunday.

Making / designing flexible parts is fairly tricky, often requires a selection of shore / durometer hardnesses to be produced & tested before settling for one, also adjusting the fit often requires multiple iterations too !

[sujitroy]

This will end this thread.I was up for the challenge and I was able to make 2 bushes with my 17 year old son's help. Here's the final result.
As a circular bush, it doesn't flex well. However after splitting it, is flexes and I was able to get it down the larger tube. As it went down the tube it expanded and with some work I managed to get these retaining lugs in place. The bush is slightly tapered at one end so the tube get to slide in a bit easier. The lugs are slightly off 180 degrees. As it expands they are about 180.

Another problem, I have two tubes. One fully painted the other half painted, this made a difference as the prototype was modeled off the unpainted tube.

if anyone wants the model, please let me know.