Steering shaft boot/bushing and/or adjustment question, ...need some advice/direction |
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Steering shaft boot/bushing and/or adjustment question, ...need some advice/direction |
naro914 |
May 6 2018, 12:51 PM
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#1
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Losing my mind... Group: Members Posts: 2,476 Joined: 26-May 06 From: Charlotte, NC Member No.: 6,073 Region Association: South East States |
For a long time, steering in Huey has been difficult - VERY hard to turn like something was always fighting you. I knew the boot that covers the shaft under the gas tank was never installed so I thought maybe the problem was that the tank was sitting on the shaft or bushings or something.
So today I took out the gas tank and sat looking at it. First....I have no clue how to put the boot on (do I have to drop the rack for that?) but I think the real problem is different. I undid the two allen bolts that hold the U bracket on and slid the rubber bushings out of the was to asses things. Immediately the shaft moved right up against the sides of the hole where it comes through the firewall and relieved the pressure it was under. (see picture) In other words, the shaft was NOT centered at all in that hole, so with the bushings trying to center the shaft, they were putting an immense amount of pressure on the shaft, thus making it hard to turn. (at least this is my theory). In fact, sometimes you can hear a squeaking/creaking type sound when turning the wheel, like metal moving tightly on rubber... I thought "ok, adjust the U-joints to allow the shaft to be centered". no dice since you can't lengthen/shorten the shaft in the U Joints because of the notch they have where the tightening bolt goes through. So....questions for the 914world brain trust: 1) how can I adjust things to get that shaft centered through the firewall hole? 2) how do I get the boot on? 3) where can I get new versions of all those bushings? there seems to be two (1 & 2 in my picture) and I guess a bearing (3)? thoughts? TIA |
jcd914 |
May 6 2018, 03:18 PM
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#2
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Advanced Member Group: Members Posts: 2,081 Joined: 7-February 08 From: Sacramento, CA Member No.: 8,684 Region Association: Northern California |
cuddy_k's question about front end damage is valid.
If the rack has spacers to reduce bump steer then the rack is pushed closer to the steering wheel and sometime binding like you describe occurs. With the typical "bump steer" kits it is not usually a problem but si=ometimes it is. Things I have done to alleviate the pressure: The first 2 are really just making sure everything is correct to begin with. 1 Make sure the rack is sitting square on the spacers and as far forward as the slight play in the bolt holes allow. 2 Make sure the steering column is mounted squarely and not angled more than normal. 3 Loosen all the u-joint pinch bolts nd try to shift the u-joints farther on to the shats. There is a little play or clearance in the groove cut for each bolt, all 4 add up to a little extra room. 4 I have replaced the 8 mm diameter pinch bolts with 7 mm diameter bolts. This allows more room for the joints to slide on to the shafts and gives some extra space. Use good quality bolts. Jim Oh and yes you have to drop the rack to get the boot/cover back on. |
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