creak in the steering column

[andrewh]

Thanks Steve. I have a lathe courtesy of my late father. Not sure how one could machine the location lugs. I have the SNG bushes in my 3.8 and after relieving them they are fine. However I do think they were different 10 years ago ?

[caveman]

When I ordered via SNGB they looked same but the tolerances were off. The SC option was spot on for me. You can't tell from a picture you just have to make sure whoever you use has a good returns policy.

[mgcjag]

You dont machine the lugs you just make it an interfearance fit....Steve

[E600]

Just gone through all this, tried two sets of plastic bushes over 3 years, they would either bind or have excessive play and both sets squeaked.

Gave up in the end and had phosphor bronze bushes made and fitted. No issues since

Point to note when I removed and stripped the column I found the the two lower legs were split and cracked!
I brazed these and braced the legs with box section.

[andrewh]

Did you leave any clearance for expansion of the steering column when hot ? Mine are currently my acceptable having opened out the bushes slightly. But loose when cold and they do tighten marginally when hot .

[mgcjag]

...iv just made up similar for my xk150 with Delrin....very easy to hand work...Steve https://forums.jag-lovers.com/t/150-ste ... h/460369/9

[andrewh]

Thanks Steve. Yes I had not even thought of that, the horn, and nobody has mentioned that on the various chats about fitting bronze bushes. I see that Andrew sent you the Delrin, whatever that is, did you find a UK supplier of the tubular material? I still wonder about the internal clearance. I could see that material seizing up just like the Elastollan unless a suitable clearance is left but then you still get the slight knocking when manoeuvring. My latest "guess" at the ID clearance on the elastollan bushes seems to have resulted in a working set up but I will have to see how it fairs after a long drive. Still not convinced as to the expansion of the column as you have a large UJ which would resist heat transfer from the engine bay to the upper column. I am not sure what makes the Elastollan tighten other than it being an unsuitable material. for friction uses.

[mgcjag]

Hi Andrew I deleted the comment about the metal bushes/horn in my post above.....Andrew didn't send me the Delrin I found a supplier here.. https://www.metals4u.co.uk/materials/pl ... cetal-tube also known as Acetal..Delrin is mentioned many times on forums for bearings.....the problem I had with the plastic bushes from the usuals was they didnt fit correctly anyway and the inner surface pealed off as in your photo....so thought this option would be better....we don't really need a precision fit here after all the original was just felt and a slight clearance fit is what I'm going for.....I'm making the bearings much longer 35mm than the plastic ones...Steve.....ps now done and super smooth steering column