BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 Over the last few months my steering has become increasingly stiffer to operate. I put it down to age. I even discussed fixing the problem with a rack and pinion conversion. Yesterday the steering became so stiff it was refusing to self centre after a turn, which was fun when changing lanes on the motorway. During that drive the steering started to 'creak' with any movement of the wheel. This I thought was dry steering indicator control head. When stopped I opened the bonnet and moved the steering wheel to see if the same noise would happen - It did, the noise was from the steering mechanism at the front of the car not at the steering wheel control head. This morning car's is jacked and I have checked one item at a time by disconnecting items. All Track rod ends are fine. The idler is fine. The suspension turns freely on both sides. This left the cross bar in situ and it was still difficult to move the steering wheel, which should have turned by little finger from lock to lock. The problem is the Moss plastic relay bushes had seized on their pivot pins. Remedy will be make new pins from 1' diameter silver steel and source or make some phosphor bronze bushes, 1/2" internal bore with 7/8" outside diameter. Plus I will fit grease nipples. ...or I could buy the kit from Revington at £170.00 Update when the task is done. With hind sight I guess I should have come up with a proper water sealing system for the bushes and pins 20 years ago when I fitted them. The bushed system is still head and shoulders better than the original Triumph 105063 silent bloc and pin arrangement for ease of use, as it does lighten the steering effort (when not seized) Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 Interesting. I fitted what looked like exactly the same item to my center steering bar many years ago. When I changed to R & P steering last year I removed them, & the pins were as shiny as the day I put them in. No rust. I believe they were stainless steel. Mine came from The TR shop. By the way conversion to R & P is the best thing I have done to my '3 much lighter steering, zero play in the system, & very precise on the road. Just sayin' ! Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Ben Davies Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 Mine has the Revington phosphor-bronze version fitted. Done I think when the car was restored around 2007. As with Bob's they came out looking like new when I recently dismantled it. Given the choice I think I'd fit the nylon versions now because some have commented that feedback through the steering is not as harsh with those. However, I believe the cross bar ends will have been reamed to fit the Revington bronze version (?) - so I'll stick with them. Ben Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 1 hour ago, Ben Davies said: Mine has the Revington phosphor-bronze version fitted. Done I think when the car was restored around 2007. As with Bob's they came out looking like new when I recently dismantled it. Given the choice I think I'd fit the nylon versions now because some have commented that feedback through the steering is not as harsh with those. However, I believe the cross bar ends will have been reamed to fit the Revington bronze version (?) - so I'll stick with them. Ben Yes the Revington bush conversion is non reversible and does tend to transmit more road feel through which is the downside Im afraid. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 1 hour ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Over the last few months my steering has become increasingly stiffer to operate. I put it down to age. I even discussed fixing the problem with a rack and pinion conversion. Yesterday the steering became so stiff it was refusing to self centre after a turn, which was fun when changing lanes on the motorway. During that drive the steering started to 'creak' with any movement of the wheel. This I thought was dry steering indicator control head. When stopped I opened the bonnet and moved the steering wheel to see if the same noise would happen - It did, the noise was from the steering mechanism at the front of the car not at the steering wheel control head. This morning car's is jacked and I have checked one item at a time by disconnecting items. All Track rod ends are fine. The idler is fine. The suspension turns freely on both sides. This left the cross bar in situ and it was still difficult to move the steering wheel, which should have turned by little finger from lock to lock. The problem is the Moss plastic relay bushes had seized on their pivot pins. Remedy will be make new pins from 1' diameter silver steel and source or make some phosphor bronze bushes, 1/2" internal bore with 7/8" outside diameter. Plus I will fit grease nipples. ...or I could buy the kit from Revington at £170.00 Update when the task is done. With hind sight I guess I should have come up with a proper water sealing system for the bushes and pins 20 years ago when I fitted them. The bushed system is still head and shoulders better than the original Triumph 105063 silent bloc and pin arrangement for ease of use, as it does lighten the steering effort (when not seized) Looks like standard steel pins, later versions are stainless pinned. Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 3 Author Report Share Posted May 3 (edited) Update on parts The correct sized bush in Oilite is not available. So. I have decided to use TR2/4 spigot bushes. They are 1/2” internal which is correct. External is 1” which I can lathe down to 7/8” and leave a small flange like the Revington type. Stainless pins is a good option so will source some suitable bar. Grease nipples I lwill rake through the nipple drawer for. ( ooo-err missus) Edited May 3 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 3 Report Share Posted May 3 If I still have my pins (not sure) which are stainless, you can have them Peter. will check tommorow. Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 10 hours ago, Lebro said: If I still have my pins (not sure) which are stainless, you can have them Peter. will check tommorow. Bob Thank you Bob The same kit is on one of Keith's cars so we need to check the pins with a magnet. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 My steering column was overhauled and was too tight on the drive. I have had a specialist adjust it but it is still a bit heavy. It looks as if my pins could be upgraded which would improve parking etc. Can you supply me with some quality replacements. Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 5 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Thank you Bob The same kit is on one of Keith's cars so we need to check the pins with a magnet. Found them. I have your address, so will pop in the post Monday Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 Posted today Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 Thank you Bob. let me know the damage please. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roy53 Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 Have known stiff steering on 2 cars. First turned out to be stiff/ seized top ball joints. The other was that the owner had changed the felt packing at the top of the column to the rubber nylon type from later TRs which was seizing on the column. Worth a look. Roy Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 4 Report Share Posted May 4 3 hours ago, BlueTR3A-5EKT said: Thank you Bob. let me know the damage please. No damage ! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 Thank you Bob. I will see you at a bar one day Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 4 Author Report Share Posted May 4 13 hours ago, Richardtr3a said: My steering column was overhauled and was too tight on the drive. I have had a specialist adjust it but it is still a bit heavy. It looks as if my pins could be upgraded which would improve parking etc. Can you supply me with some quality replacements. Richard & B Revington or Moss or TR Shop https://www.revingtontr.com/product/105063uk/name/track-control-pin-kit-2-x-105063u-bush-pb Quote Link to post Share on other sites
John McCormack Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 Revington phosphor bronze bushes are great. I haven't noticed any change in feedback on either of the cars I've fitted them to. Combined with the Revington spring loaded top the steering on both sidescreens is excellent. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
iain Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 29 minutes ago, John McCormack said: Revington phosphor bronze bushes are great. I haven't noticed any change in feedback on either of the cars I've fitted them to. Combined with the Revington spring loaded top the steering on both sidescreens is excellent. +1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 21 hours ago, roy53 said: Have known stiff steering on 2 cars. First turned out to be stiff/ seized top ball joints. The other was that the owner had changed the felt packing at the top of the column to the rubber nylon type from later TRs which was seizing on the column. Worth a look. Roy Sounds as if they used the wrong bush as Ive replaced the felt bush with the a Nylon bush with no adverse effects. Stuart Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Lebro Posted May 5 Report Share Posted May 5 I made my own "plastic" bush when mine went a bit sloppy not sure what the plastic was, but it lasted 11 years before I replaced the whole lot with R & P Bob Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted May 7 Report Share Posted May 7 I have an old cross bar in the garage. So I want to improve my steering and I took it to a local company, Bulldog Blasting , in Sussex and they are going to blast it clean and paint it matt black.. While we were talking about problem steering the owner's son was able to move the pin at one end by hand and it looked like new. The other end was solid but it may move with some light tools. It will be blasted and painted in about ten days . When I have it back I will ask for some help on here. I would like new locknuts but I want high quality. Any advice ?? Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 9 Author Report Share Posted May 9 On 5/4/2024 at 8:46 AM, Richardtr3a said: My steering column was overhauled and was too tight on the drive. I have had a specialist adjust it but it is still a bit heavy. It looks as if my pins could be upgraded which would improve parking etc. Can you supply me with some quality replacements. Richard & B The pin at one end that came out looking like new. What is it pushed into in the bar? Plastic, rubber or bronze bush? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 9 Author Report Share Posted May 9 (edited) Getting closer to being repaired. Oilite bushes sized for the cross bar I used TR2/4 spigot bushes which are 1/2” internal diameter nominal. The reduce a bit when pushed in. I am now waiting for 1/2’ Id ‘o’ rings to seal top and bottom of the pins. Edited May 9 by BlueTR3A-5EKT Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Richardtr3a Posted May 10 Report Share Posted May 10 Hi Peter, You are ahead of me on this repair. I now have the cross bar back from Bulldog Blasting and one pin moves out easily and smoothly. The other pin is slightly damaged and I am trying to clean out the bush. What is the best way to clean it up ? I do not want to use any chemical so it looks like fine sandpaper or a small wire brush. I am only working on my spare parts and once I fully have an answer I will overhaul the ones on the car. So to continue my experiment can anyone lend me a good condition pin so I can try out my cleaned parts on the car in the driveway. Thanks Richard & B Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BlueTR3A-5EKT Posted May 11 Author Report Share Posted May 11 All back together now. Steering lighter but not R&P light. i tried to use o rings top and bottom of the bush to keep the road dirt out. Picture of the arrangement Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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