Modern Steering Joints

[stunned_monkey]

So here's the story...

The DeLorean universal joints are crap. I mean really crap. Either they seize or they get sloppy. But what do you expect from a hinge that's as sophisticared as a peg in a hole? Except that for your steering to work, they're a total of 8 pegs in 8 holes, all of which have to move smoothly with no play! They're open to the outside and in particular get splashed by the left front wheel.

The original lower joint is a Rover part, and they're available quite readily with bearings. The snag is the upper joint & shaft which is unique to the DeLorean, although there is a Range Rover unit which is almost perfect, apart from being 50mm too long. I'd love to modify the Range Rover unit, unfortunately it's illegal to weld steering components.

So what to do?

Well, option 1 is to replace them with this unit from DMC @ $375 (owch)

http://store.delorean.com/p-10502-steer ... nless.aspx

Or you can have this unit for £79 delivered :

[ATTACHMENT NOT FOUND]

Sales patter over... for now... I'm also working on a steering rack rebuild kit to finally rid ourselves of those dreadful bearings...

[Chris Williams]

Seems a reasonably priced replacement, are they sealed for life joints?
Chris

[Guinney1971]

looking good Martin, I would suggest submitting a few words about this and a photo
to Eddie for inclusion in a forthcoming Club mag, that way you'll reach all our members
as not everyone is on the forum

[stunned_monkey]

Happy to. Although I'll wait till I've finished sorting out my steering rack bearing kits.

In a nutshell, I've experimented with replacing the stupid dumb daft crappy ridiculous original bearings in a rack with loads of play and no shims left, with some inexpensive off-the-shelf sealed deep groove bearings, with the help of some custom made adapters and shims. The result "felt like a new rack".

Rissy kindly let me have Lex's old rack back and I'll be doing a rebuild on that once I've got all the bits together.

[Guinney1971]

so, what your basically saying, is the original parts are a bit cack then? lol :lol: :lol:

Be good to see how all these new bits your developing pan out, I know my rack was a
refurbished one, but that was 8+ years ago now, so its something I'll be interested in
upgrading when I finally tackle the suspension and all the bits you cant see on my car.

Are the parts to be sold on an exchange basis?

[stunned_monkey]

Hi Claire, the problem with all the "refurbs" is that at best, they can only replace the bearing balls - there's no preventing the bearing races from wearing and the dumb original design means the top one never gets any oil at all.

My kit won't be on an exchange basis - it'll include everything you need to make your rack as good as new and it should last many years without any discernable wear.

It'll also include a replacement passenger side bush, track rod ends and boots.

[Guinney1971]

well I'm interested, it'll be something for the 'wish list' of things to do when I eventually
get around to sorting the underneath of my car out - but that may be a while off, as we
need to get the new garage built first and get a car lift too.