Dumb question of the day candidate - steering flange bearing SOLVED

[Gizmosrcool]

Hi Everyone

I am working on the steering and installing the flange bearing. How tight should it be? There is no grease on and and when I snugged it down, the bearing is locked in there pretty good and does not move by hand.

Is that normal. Any grease? OR just loosen it, get the shaft in, then lock it down?

Thx. Tom

[michael everson]

Leave it loose until the whole system is installed.
Mike

[Gizmosrcool]

It popped loose after I did that.

Only problem left is I can not locate the fasteners for this. Specifically, the spring washers. Never actually seem the yet and not in the main fastener pack.

Anyone recall how they were packed or look like? never heard of spring washers before.

Thx. Tom

[michael everson]

They look like concave washers. I forget where they put them.
Mike

[scrubs]

More experienced builders may comment, but I installed mine inside out per the rec of another thread that mentioned potential binding with the double u joint so close to the bearing flange. Works fine.

I did place a little lube on there, made me feel better.

[Gizmosrcool]

Thx Mike and Scrubs.

I see the part on the inventory list for the steering shaft in box 1. I’ll keep looking as they are MIA.

I’ll likely put a dab of grease as well.

Thx Tom

[Gizmosrcool]

Found it. I looked in the same place 3-4 times. Dooh.

Hopefully last question. The upper shaft goes in very tight. I am guessing by design and the spring washers will make it even more so. I put it in a little and had a hard time getting it out. I figure once I tap it in per the instructions, its not coming out. Or not coming out easily.

Is that normal?

Thx again. Tom

[scrubs]

Found it. I looked in the same place 3-4 times. Dooh.

Hopefully last question. The upper shaft goes in very tight. I am guessing by design and the spring washers will make it even more so. I put it in a little and had a hard time getting it out. I figure once I tap it in per the instructions, its not coming out. Or not coming out easily.

Is that normal?

Thx again. Tom

I sanded the shaft a bit at time until it went just past the second washer depression with gentle effort. Then the washers and it' stuck. Without sanding, would not have made it.

[Namrups]

Take a little emery cloth to the shaft. You may have to take it on and off more than once so don't force it. It should fit snug but not tight without the spring washers. The spring washers will tighten it up.

[Fixit]

Take a little emery cloth to the shaft. You may have to take it on and off more than once so don't force it. It should fit snug but not tight without the spring washers. The spring washers will tighten it up.

What he said...

Also with the bearing... the top of post pic isn't very clear/detailed, but the bearing isn't a "sandwich" on the firewall/bulkhead metal, it's an assembled unit bolted as a unit to the bulkhead.

[Gizmosrcool]

Thx Everyone. I’ll hit it with a scuff pad or light sandpaper and give it a whirl.

[rich grsc]

The bearing and both flange half's should be on the inside of the foot box

[Gizmosrcool]

All good. I took off all the rough edges off the upper shaft, scuffed it good, and it inserts ok. Tight but removable. Loosening up both bearings help. The steering works like butter.

I have the bulkhead bearing as a unit on the outside of the bulkhead.

Thx everyone. Tom