tech tip of the day - steering

May 14, 2006 6 Replies

was complaining at SB about the play in the bellcrank in my '55, even with new bearings and pin. Dave Thibeault said that the pinch bolt needed to be torqued *to spec* not just hand tight otherwise the bellcrank would rock on the pin. Sure enough I looked in the book and the torque spec for that bolt is 65 ft-lbs, which is a heck of a lot for a bolt that small (it is Grade 8 from the factory, however.) Even though I thought I'd put a good grunt on it with a box wrench I got almost another full turn out of it. Sure enough the play in my steering wheel at the rim was cut almost in half. I can't wait to get this thing driving again, if everything else comes together like this it ought to drive pretty darn well..



I stil didn't like the small amount of play between the needle bearings and the pin that I felt before I greased the center pivot, but it seems to be negligible compared to the rocking of the bellcrank that I was experiencing.



nate



I don't think you'll GET it driveable Nate. I predict that before you get it back together with a four speed in it, you'll decide you want a 5 speed!

I already know that I want a 5-speed, but I have to get the basic stickshift conversion done before I can even think about that... plus there's the $$$ factor...

nate

Nate

On the center pivot are you still running it with one needle bearing and a bushing?

If so you might think about converting it to two needle bearings. I have all three of mine set up that way and it sure mad a difference.

Nate

On the center pivot are you still running it with one needle bearing and a bushing?

If so you might think about converting it to two needle bearings. I have all three of mine set up that way and it sure mad a difference.

It came out with two needle bearings, and that was the kit that I used as well. I thought the bushed ones were actually more desirable though?

nate

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