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MG TD TF 1500 - Steering Column Felt Bushing

Newbie question here: there is a small amount of play (wobble) in the upper end of the steering column, which I believe is caused by compression of the felt band or washer which fits around the steering shaft at the upper end of the steering column. I have a new piece of felt to replace the one that is installed, and my question is: do I need to oil that felt, either before installing it or after? I cannot find any information (didn't look in the Archives yet) in any of the literature I have.

Thanks in advance,

Jeff
Jeff

Great question as i have been meaning to post my own... I did oil it when i got the car on the road...
I am noticing however, that mine slips forward (and out once) over a week or so. As it works its way out, i get a loose column and feel all sorts of bangs and bumps when i turn.
Is it just a pressure fit (mine is a felt rectangle with an angled scarf joint if you know what i mean) or should something hold it in?
I don't see on the lube chart that it needs any, but i oiled it anyway.
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Yes, my new felt has those scarfed or bias-cut ends on it. I can see that the old felt is all compressed, and as this is on my vintage race car, everytime I take it through Tech Inspection, the Inspectors take the steering wheel in both hands and jerk it up and down, and of course that results in a certain wiggle and a slight bang that they raise their eyebrows over. I then have to explain that there is this felt bushing, see, and it has dried out and is all compressed... that I just checked the wheel nut as part of my pre-race checklist, and I can assure you that all is well in the steering department, or else I wouldn't be presneting it for tech inspection!

I hope we get some further replies. I did log in and look through the archives, but did not see an exact posting and subsequent replies to all of those hits.

Thanks for at least responding. Maybe that will attract further explanations.

Jeff
Jeff

The last upper felt bushing I put in was extremely tight. With the wheel off, I used a thin screwdriver to basically cram it all the way in, working around bit by bit. Totally zero play when in, no way it would ever come out on its own. Oiled it first. Major difference in feel of the steering for the better. They seem to shrink or wear over time. George
George Butz

PS- don't forget the bottom bushing- it is a real pain compared to the top.
George Butz

George:

Thanks for the advice. That is one of my pre-race prep tasks for tonight, so I will soak it in some oil, and then stuff it down in there.

Then, I have the set of replacement nuts and bolts for the steering column coupler... which doesn't look like an easy task either! Furthermore, those three nuts are safety-wired, so I'll have to re-do that, too! I think I'll have a beer before I start that job!

Jeff
Jeff

I think you are supposed to use graphited oil for lubricating the bushings. Not being able to find that, I used some dry graphite (for locks) and impregnated the felt, then oiled it. Seems to work OK, if a little messy to do.

Jeff, drink the beer AFTER doing the bushings.
Mark B.

Yes, to the oiling of the felt bushing. Just keep pushing it into place with something like a small flat-bladed screwdriver. The excess oil will ooze out as it goes into position.
Bud Krueger

After posting earlier today, i took a look (felt it anyway) and there is quite a space between the two edges at the scarf joint... like 3/4". I would assume that is why i get a steering column rattle when turning one direction.... Time to make a new one.
A lower one was mentioned... how do you get at that one?
gordon lawson - TD 27667

<<<snip>>>
A lower one was mentioned... how do you get at that one?
<<<Snip>>>
PITA! You have to remove the cover over the end that's in the engine compartment.

Regards.
Bullwinkle

I have replaced the felt bushings with bushings I made from a self lubricating plastic material called Delrin. Works great,cheap and no more sloppy steering columns. Just a thought if you have access to a lathe.

John
John Progess

I've also used a section cut from an old solf leather belt to good effect - also soaked in oil before installation.

Cheers,
Lew Palmer
Lew Palmer

Just for interest, I had the same problem with the top felt bush working its way out.
The chrome bearing cover from a pushbike headstock fits very neatly over the steering housing and holds the bush in place.You may have reem out the centre slightly but it really looks like it was supposed tp be there.
Cheers,
Allan.
A.J. NEWTON

Interesting topic that keeps me pondering.
I also replaced this felt bushing. However, it leaks oil now. I had cleaned all grease from the steering system and filled it with oil as it should be. But this felt ring drips now. How did you solve this?
regards, Huib Bruijstens
Huib Bruijstens

Huib,

You only have to put oil onto the felt. You say you "filled the system" is it possible you have simply used too much oil? I have to concur with John P - I found it impossible to insert new felt (brand new pieces with the correct angle cut ends) so made bushes from teflon. Everything appears OK to date but the steering has only been used to move the car from one side of the workshop to the other!


Cheers

Jan T
Jan Targosz

Jan and John,
I wonder how you succeeded in getting such bushes in places. It is an innerchamber in the housing and I wonder if Delrin or Teflon bushings are so flexible that one could sqeeze them in. At least I found it not easy to get the felt in place and not at all to keep it there when I was pushing the rod through.
I filled the oillevel till just above the rack to assure it also reaches the balls sufficiently. The side of the housing in which the felt bush is, has a telted angle. If I would fill it "below" the felt bush level, I suppose there is not enough oil to lubricate tha balls sufficiently. What de you think?
regards from a dutch workshop, Huib
Huib Bruijstens

Huib, we're talking about the bush that is just below the steering wheel. Part #43 on the Service Parts List, Plate C. The bottom bush is Part #44.
Bud Krueger

I found it easiest to remove the whole steering column assembly to get to the lower felt. It's so much easier to do off the car. (still wasn't easy pushing in the felts) I used Dow Corning DP4 silicone grease worked into the felts by hand first. I think the oil based graphite would be better though or perhaps a combination of both. Steering was stiff for a few weeks but then it loosened up.
D Clark

Huib,

Are you referring to the steering column - the one that connects the steering wheel to the rack - or the rack housing itself ? I had assumed you were talking about the column but suspect I may have been wrong especially when you mention cleaning grease out. There is indeed a felt seal in the steering rack where the pinion exits. If oil is leaking from here you have probably overfilled. When you turn the steering wheel the bellows on one side close and force oil along the rack to the one that is opening. There isn't much clearance for the oil and if you have overfilled pressure builds up and the oil escapes from the pinion seal. The reasion grease is not recommended for the rack is because it would build up pressure in the bellows that was closing and perhaps rupture it. If its the rack you are talking about I would just keep wiping the oil away until no more comes out!

Cheers


Jan t (can't wait for Silverstone!)
J Targosz

I'm assuming we are talking about the upper seal by the wheel...(or that is what i was referring to)...I just got back form replacing it:

http://www.niagarabritishcarclub.org/otr/td213.jpg
gordon lawson - TD 27667

I did have my entire column out during the restoration when I replaced my felt bushing with Delrin.

John
John Progess

John Progress, that was very helpful. Thanks!

dave
D. A. Braun

I still have a rattle, must be the lower bushing?
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Oops... That useful comment was directed at you Gordon, I looked up at the wrong post. Thanks for posting those pics, Gordon.

dave
D. A. Braun

Another material that's extremely cheap and works nearly as well as delrin is a plain old piece of of PVC pipe. Get the thin-wall type, the next larger ID from the OD of the inner steering column, and cut a section about the same width as the felt, about an inch or so. Cut a slot in it lengthwise and remove a piece wide enough that when you compress, it will hug the inner column tightly and slide into the space where the felt goes. Not sure how long it will last, but on my last TD it was in there with no problems after 10 years. There was no noise and no binding... what more can you ask of a bushing?

If you wish to stick with the felt, massage wheel bearing grease into it for a few minutes, then remove the excess and insert it. It won't leak like oil and will last for years also.

Cheers, Jerry

J. Keller

Have found that the density of the felt is important...the white stuff i used has compressed on the bottom and i am getting a rattle from it. Time to try something else...
gordon lawson - TD 27667

Like Lew, a leather belt is what I use also. I can sand it if it is too thick, but it gives a tighter fit.
Bruce Cunha

Years ago I found standard needle bearings that make that lousy felt obsolete. Giving perfect steering with no play and no worry about ever having to replace anything. I do not remember the exact dimensions, but you measure the shaft and the inside of the pipe that holds the shaft. I seem to remember that the difference was 3 mmm.

I repeat, this is a standard piece. Others have fit it and are very happy with it. Forget the felt.

Denis
Denis L. Baggi

Moss sell a needle bearing kit #129208 for the steering columb.
Sandy Sanders
conrad sanders

Conrad...the needle bearing kit Moss sells #129-208 is shown in the catalog as fitting the TC.... but it's not listed for the TD. Will it also fit the TD/TF steering column?

Cheers... Jerry
J. Keller

I do not think Moss anything similar to what I describe for a TD.

Denis
Denis L. Baggi

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AN ORPHAN
OLATITI

This thread was discussed between 28/06/2005 and 02/08/2005

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