ERA Steering-shaft Bushing Loose

speed220mph · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 11:07 AM

Has anyone had a problem with the upper steering-shaft bushing working loose from it's housing . . . and have fixed it? Just wondering because I've run into the problem. It got my attention real fast as the steering wheel/shaft all of a sudden had a lot of side-to-side movement with an accompanying banging noise. As a temporary fix, I reached under the instrument panel and found the steering-shaft bushing that slide out of its housing, then pushed it back into place. It happened again this AM, so I'm looking for a permanent fix. Any suggestions will be appreciated.

What I've done in the interim is to clean the bushing OD, coat it with Loctite, then slide it back into place. Maybe the Loctite will do the trick. But if it comes loose again, I guess it will require dropping the steering shaft to make a permanent repair since the temporary fix didn't work.

Jim Holden · #2 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 01:15 PM

Speed:

Have you checked with Bob Putnam at ERA directly? It would seem that there should be some sort of retainer/clip/bump or sump'n like that... or should be. I would suggest you e-mail him (if not call) directly.

Jim

speed220mph · #3 (**permalink**) 03-06-2007, 02:43 PM

Thanks Jim: Call Bob all the time, so I thought I'd give him a break and try the "open market" to see if anyone had the same problem with their car. When all else fails I'll make the call.

speed220mph · #4 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 04:25 PM

A good application of Loctite seems to have secured the bushing.

ERA Chas · #5 (**permalink**) 04-25-2007, 04:42 PM

speed,
All due respect to your fix but I'd regard this as a safety issue of the first order.
Please replace the bushing ASAP. I did mine about 5 years ago with less apparent play than yours. Bob sent a new one and it's not hard at all. Presto, no vibes.
Picture about 110 MPH and the wheel clanging around in your hands.
Just my .02

speed220mph · #6 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 05:48 AM

ERA Chas: No problem now, although the steering wheel moving around at high speed can be a bit troublesome

at high speed. The bushing wasn't worn, but the press in the housing that retained it was lost. Once fixed in place with Loctite the bushing stays in place and the steering shaft has virtually no play, so all is OK.

On another note, the 3--4 shift is difficult, however all others are smooth . . . ZF transaxle is used. Once the transaxle is warm, the shift is a bit easier, but still a little difficult. I seems like the synchros are ok, so I suspect the problem is with shift likage adjustment. Have you experienced any such problem? If so, got any suggestions on a cure?

Morris · #7 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 08:54 AM

Here's a steering shaft fix after we had a similiar issue.....

http://kmsac.com/index.php?option=co...&topic=278.405

Morris

speed220mph · #8 (**permalink**) 04-26-2007, 09:21 AM

Nice. You didn't spare any $$$ when making this fix. As for me, I'll stick with a sleeve bearing (bushing) because there won't be any danger of brinnelling or funds depletion. It ain't broken now, so I don't need to fix it.