Steering box rebuild

[Steve Simmons]

Graphite oil is typically used for felt steering bushes.

[XPAGnut]

Considering the speed at which the shaft turns against the felt bushing, it is no wonder I have found any number of lubricants on that felt bush when taking apart to set up or rebuild. Oil, graphited oil, grease, you name it, including what often appeared to be nothing in the way of additional lube on the felt. You can tell how old the felt in there is by how much play exists, or how much the felt has compressed over time. What they may have used originally I have no idea.

[frenchblatter]

I can only say what I was taught in the early 1960's when an apprentice at University Motors.

[timandgerda]

As I've mentioned before I received my car in boxes so interesting times trying to sort it all out. Looking at the front springs now - how many leaves (leafs) should they have? Also is it worth making the small 1/4 studs that hold these together during installation as I've read these are often missing? Thanks. Tim.

[SteveW]

Each set of front springs has 6 leaves. Not sure what you mean by the small 1/4" studs. Each leaf should have a dimple on one side and a bump on the other so that they can be located correctly with respect to the main leaf, and the main leaf located correctly on the axle. The stack is held together by 4 'C' shaped bits of bar that bend around the stack (and, of course, the mounting brackets when on the car).

[timandgerda]

Thanks Steve - you are a star. I was referring to item 61 on the moss catalogue. As you say the main bolts do the job when assembled but these calm the brackets during assembly I guess.

[SteveW]

Ah, I see what you mean now. I'm not sure that they are structurally necessary, but they do make assembly a bit easier as the hold the brackets in place whilst you locate the main bolts. The Moss price does seem to be somewhat over the top for what is basically a bit of threaded bar - I would have thought that it would be easy to make them by cutting down suitably threaded bolts or just getting a bit of threaded bar.

By the way, there are 9 leaves on the rear springs. I know a place in London that makes new springs if you need any. They made new main leaves for my rears for £30 a side, but they will also make a full stack on request.