Bushing for Steering Shaft

[Mike Bean]

Hey TJ or anyone else,

Can you fab me up some kind of bushing that will fit inside 1" X 1" square tubing with a 5/8" hole in the center?

The reason I need this is because on my bar stool I welded a 5/8" washer to the top of the steering shaft support and due to all the vibration I sometimes get a metal on metal vibration from it and it can be a bit annoying.

I need something that will last for a very long time like Teflon and be quiet if there is some clearance vibration.

I think this could be easily turned on a lathe with a clearance fit and then tapped into the top of the steering shaft support.

Do you know what I mean?

Thanks in advance!

:cool:

[TJS]

mbean wrote: Hey TJ or anyone else,

Can you fab me up some kind of bushing that will fit inside 1" X 1" square tubing with a 5/8" hole in the center?

The reason I need this is because on my bar stool I welded a 5/8" washer to the top of the steering shaft support and due to all the vibration I sometimes get a metal on metal vibration from it and it can be a bit annoying.

I need something that will last for a very long time like Teflon and be quiet if there is some clearance vibration.

I think this could be easily turned on a lathe with a clearance fit and then tapped into the top of the steering shaft support.

Do you know what I mean?

Thanks in advance!

:cool:




Sorry I have not visited back in a while. I need a pic with dimensions. There is a place near me that sells derlin scrap material. Give me dimensions and I will see what I can do. Does not sound like a big deal.

Later.

T.J.

[Mike Bean]

Hi TJS,

Sorry for not getting back sooner, had to fire the CAD program back up and learn it again. It has been a few months since I have designed anything in CAD, but this photo should do it.

Just for reference, the part that is .75 which will be inside the 1X1 square tubing could be turned down on a lathe and be round instead of square. I would assume you are going to be starting out with some 1" square solid stock?

Now let me ask you, what are you going to make this out of? I was thinking some kind of hard plastic material and not metal because the vibration from the engine makes a nastly rattle sound now from the metal on metal.

How much would is cost to make me 5 - 10 of these?

I just update the drawing so other can understand what I am trying to build.

Thanks again!

mbean

[TJS]

Mike,

The drawing is not to clear when I pull it up. So I am guessing you need a 1 x 1 cube with a 5/8" hole in the center. Is that it. Or is the outside of the cube turned down anywhere. It is hard to tell by the drawing you have. There is a plastic supply place near me and they have all sorts of scrap stuff. I think it they have teflon stuff.
Later.

T.J.

[Mike Bean]

TJ,

Not sure why it is not clear for you, but what I need it a 1X1.25 cube to start. Drill 5/8" hole down the middle.

Now I need a 1/4" top with the rest turned down to 3/4" so I can pound it down into the 1X1 square tubing.

Did that help? I can email you a jpg of the drawing if you need?

Thanks,

Mike

[FatDog]

mbean
So what you are saying,
is that you are going to use 1x1" square tube and press into it a plastic or teflon-like solid square with a 5/8" hole drilled thru the teflon?
How long would you make that plastic insert, like an inch or so??
The only thing i didn't fully see, was what were you doing with the 1/4" top that you mentioned??
Since i am putting together ideas now for my BSR, i had just assumed that I could find bearings easily enough at bike stores or hardware stores that I could press into a steering tube at the top and bottom of the shaft to prevent metal-to-metal. Like a small timken bearing that fits the shaft size.?

[Mike Bean]

I guess the photo online was not good quality or I am not good at CAD.. LOL

I am looking to make a plastic bushing 1.25 inches long by 1 inch wide. I want to turn down 1 inch of the bushing to .75 inches and that I will insert into the 1X1 1/8 square tubing leaving .25 inches at the top for support. Kind of like a T shape.

I feel this would be the least expensive and easiest way to make a good steering shaft support. I think a bearing would be overkill and all you would need is to grease or oil the plastic bushing from time to time.

Has anyone else had a problem viewing my CAD drawing I uploaded?

Mike

[FatDog]

:) O.K. .... now i see your drawing
and, also it is a good drawing, now that I know what I am looking at,
I was thinking that your side view was the metal tube, not the plastic bushing itself.

And thats a good idea also that you have

[TJS]

Ahh, now I can see it better Mike. Yes I can do that.

T.J.

[Mike Bean]

I was thinking the image quality was not good on your site, but instead I should have commented a bit more on what the parts were... :P

What do you think the cost would be for 5 - 10 of them? And can you find a hard plastic that will not wear easily?

Thanks,

Mike

[FatDog]

"... I was thinking the image quality was not good on your site, but instead I should have commented a bit more on what the parts were... :P.... "

thats what i had been thinking, the part was drawn good, but the titles of the parts, or documentation was on the shy side :cool:

(i run a CADD department i'm sorry to say)

out of curiosity, how much of a tolerance were you thinking on the drilled hole?

or rather, how wide is the typical steering shaft as versus the hole diameter you specified? i know that on an application like this, there can be and maybe even should be a little extra tolerance, maybe an 1/8" over the steering shaft diam.?

got to leave a little room for that grease or oil you mentioned

[Mike Bean]

FatDog,

Generally the steering shaft I first ordered was exactly 5/8", on my second build I used a "so called" 5/8" shaft from Lowes and it has some imperfections in it to where it needs some sanding to fit a true 5/8" machined shaft.

I was thinking more along the lines of a few thousands or even better let me file fit bushing to the shaft.

I am not a clearance expert, but I am sure if you drill using a 5/8" bit there is sure to be some additional clearance to allow for oiling or grease. Correct me if I am wrong.

mbean

[FatDog]

mbean

i have a question regarding your steering shaft. What, if anything, are you using for a bearing or bushing at the bottom of the shaft? Or do you just have the bottom of the steering shaft resting on metal? It can't create all that much friction i guess.

[Mike Bean]

FatDog,

What I did for the bottom was cut a 1 1/2 length of the 1 X 1 X1 1/8" frame material and drilled an5/8" hole init and just dropped it in. I do have a locking collar on there also which is against the frame to keep the shaft from moving upwards,and I capped off the open area so I can put some oil in there from time to time.

Mike Bean

[FatDog]

i was going to make a similar 'holder' for the bottom of the shaft with a small piece of 1" tube with an appropriate sized hole drilled in it that the shaft would fit in,

thats a good idea to weld the open end of the square tube shut, so you can make it a little oil reservoir too :). All reduced friction will add up to extra horsepower :D

[Mike Bean]

Hey T.J.,
Any luck with the bushing for the steering shaft? Can you tell me what it would cost for 10 of them?

Thanks!

mbean
:lush:

Ahh, now I can see it better Mike. Yes I can do that.

T.J.

[bm1]

I had a need for a similar piece when I built a friend a kart lift for the bed of his pickup. I operate a machine/fab shop myself. I went to a supplier and bought some 1"x1" square nylon bar stock. I need 2" pieces to fit inside 1" sq. tube. I cut to length, drilled a hole in the center, then took a course file(rasp) and trimmed the sides enough to fit in the tube. The supply house has a section where they have "drops" for sale(misc. pieces) fairly cheap. Always ask for "drops" instead of "scrap". They always seem to get a little "pissy" when you call it scrap. Hope this helps.

[Mike Bean]

bm1,

Below is a photo of what I call a poor mans steering column bushing.

I take some 5/8" PVC and trim it up and hammer it into the top of the steering column and it creates a custom fit and a perfect solution for a steering column bushing for only a few cents..

Mike Bean

[docgreen9]

Hey Mike ... I got a question. Why don't you just use some round tubing for the shaft housing to go with the 5/8 steering shaft? It would be much easier to find a round bushing than a square one with a round hole? Don't want to throw a kink in your plan but just a thought.

Later, Brian

[bm1]

Mike,

I used the square stock because it covered the end and looked neater.
bm

[Mike Bean]

Brian,

I wanted to stay with all square tubing to keep the design uniform. Even with the round tubing I would still need a plastic bushing to prevent vibration noise.

The way I build the bushing now takes about 10 minutes and works like a champ.

Thanks for the suggestion though.

Mike

Hey Mike ... I got a question. Why don't you just use some round tubing for the shaft housing to go with the 5/8 steering shaft? It would be much easier to find a round bushing than a square one with a round hole? Don't want to throw a kink in your plan but just a thought.

Later, Brian

[Mike Bean]

bm1,

I welded a washer to the top to finish it off. I have attached a photo.

I did make a design for a square one like yours, but I wanted something easy for the home builder that would not require out sourcing.

Mike Bean


Mike,

I used the square stock because it covered the end and looked neater.
bm

[moto1fast]

Hello, Hey mike, How about taking a inside threaded PVC coupling and push it into your 1" square tubing. Then take and drill a hole through both the coupling and square tubing and install a grease fitting? The threads on the inside next to your shaft would hold the grease in longer and the flange of the PVC coupling would prevent any niose from the shaft collar! Might work! I will try to get a picture of this and post tommorow!

[Mike Bean]

Moto1,

The only problem I see with that is trying to get a true 5/8" inside threaded PVC.

What I do it take some 1/2" PVC, drill it to 5/8" and put it in the steering column. Then I shoot a tiny bit of oil in there and it steers beautiful.

I think adding a grease fitting and all that stuff might be a bit of over kill for a bar stool racer.

I understand where you are coming from and I appreciate your suggestionn.

Mike Bean
:hot:

[Woodchuckscustoms.com]

Hey Men Check out this web site that have any kinda bushing you could think of! :blob_red:
http://www.mcmaster.com/

[Woodchuckscustoms.com]

:lush: Mike how do you get away with a 5/8 shaft? My first BSR had a 5/8 steering shaft and on the test ride the carb stuck wide open and I flew around the yard on it and had to drive it into a big BUSH to stop it, when I did stop I fell backwards and bent the shaft in half...Now I use a 7/8" solid bar stock for a steering shaft!! :blob_red:

[Mike Bean]

Woodchuck,

I use a cold rolled solid 5/8" shaft and I also support most of the shaft with the steering column.

I am not sure how your steering was setup, but most of the 5/8" shaft is supported by the steering column. I have fallen off backwards on mine a few times and I have never had a problem.

Mike Bean

:lush: Mike how do you get away with a 5/8 shaft? My first BSR had a 5/8 steering shaft and on the test ride the carb stuck wide open and I flew around the yard on it and had to drive it into a big BUSH to stop it, when I did stop I fell backwards and bent the shaft in half...Now I use a 7/8" solid bar stock for a steering shaft!! :blob_red:

[Woodchuckscustoms.com]

Ya my first prototype was in need of improvement.

[stool-sample]

If the 5/8 shaft is supported in the right places it will not break. I bent 2 of them on our prototype. I have ours supported bottom, middle and the top.I have one at paint right now that I will get some close-up pictures of. Its going to be painted bright yellow (I believe) for shows.It should have good detail.Glenn

[buddy1954]

mike i have a question. did you use 1/2" or 5/8" pvc.

[Mike Bean]

I used 1/2" and drilled it out. I was not able to find a PVC with a 5/8" I.D.

Mike

[Snakester]

Mike, I used a brass bushing that I made at the bottom of the steering shaft to support it and used electrical pvc conduit 5/8 I.D. from Lowe's at the top....One end is flared and what I did is let the steering wheel bushing rest on it . The most expensive part was to have threads machined at the bottom w/a lock nut to hold it all in place , but it worked great . Snakester:cheers:

[mrpenguin]

We have some parts made for pool tables out of UHMW (ultra high molecular weight). Trade name is Delrin. It just refuses to wear out no matter how hard you work it. I should have used it on my steering but didnt think of it in time. I used a chunk of pvc pipe that I turned to a nice size on the lathe and then sent a .6255 reamer through the center. Problem was that when the frame got powder coated the pvc got soft and I lost my sweet tolerance. I was thinking of using splines on the steering shaft so that I could remove it for powder coating and then using the UHMW or maybe a nice bearing top and bottom. Whatdya think?

[markus]

What I did on my BSR, I used locking collars welded to the square tubing and then i inserted the brass bushing and titghten the set screws to hold it together. Worked like a charm and provides smoooth operation. All was bought at the local TSC store.

[elvergon]

Hey guys, if you´re looking for a nice material for making those bushes try Nylamid (at least that´s the name for it here in Mexico). It´s an engineering material (plastic?)which has awesome properties, including the great tolerance against vibration. It´s easy machineable and lots of stuff.

Maybe you could use pre-lubricated bronze, like the ones that are used on lathes ;)

[KiwiMike]

I machined a block of aluminum and bored a hole in it with the lathe, which I pressed into the 1"x1" tubing. The 5/8" steering shaft purchased from Lowes, zinc coated fits well inside the bushings.
However if you don't have access to a lathe and/or a milling machine, I found an easy solution. Lowes sells a bushing, also zinc coated, in their specialty hard to find crap isle. It is made by Hillman 5/8"x7/8"x1-1/2" and is called a Zinc Steel Spacer Part#880422, UPC#08236 70814.
This will fit nicely inside your 1"x1" tube, drill a hole in your tube, thread for a set screw to stop it from moving. Get a 1"x1" furniture tube plastic leg bung, drill a 5/8" hole in it, whack it in the hole and bingo, your loose steering column problems are solved and cheap too. Bloody marvelous!

[Peter]

Hey TJ or anyone else,

Can you fab me up some kind of bushing that will fit inside 1" X 1" square tubing with a 5/8" hole in the center?

The reason I need this is because on my bar stool I welded a 5/8" washer to the top of the steering shaft support and due to all the vibration I sometimes get a metal on metal vibration from it and it can be a bit annoying.

I need something that will last for a very long time like Teflon and be quiet if there is some clearance vibration.

I think this could be easily turned on a lathe with a clearance fit and then tapped into the top of the steering shaft support.

Do you know what I mean?

Thanks in advance!

:cool:I did this to stabilize the steering sfaft. It's mounted at the very bottom of shaft. The bushing is an Oil-lite oil impregnated bronze bushing. It should last a while. Hope this helps.
Peter

[Peter]

I did this. Hope it works for you.:cheers:
Peter

[mickkell]

I bought some delrin off ebay and machined it down for upper and lower bushings,then on the end of the shaft I drilled a countersink and installed a 1/4" ball on the end,(transmission check ball)smoooooooth.I also welded round ends on the square tubing too,made things a lot easier.

[TAIL GATOR]

I bought some delrin off ebay and machined it down for upper and lower bushings,then on the end of the shaft I drilled a countersink and installed a 1/4" ball on the end,(transmission check ball)smoooooooth.I also welded round ends on the square tubing too,made things a lot easier. POST SOME PIC'S????

[mickkell]

http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l499/mickkell2/DSC00140.jpg http://i1120.photobucket.com/albums/l499/mickkell2/DSC00139.jpg
probably did this wrong."I'm not a smart man"

[KiwiMike]

Bloody ripper Mike. Your build is coming together great and getting better at the photo posting. Good job.

[mickkell]

Thanks bud,I'm workin on it.lol