Trying to understand why Suzuki would put a soft bearing in bottom of steering column?

[rcx194]

I'm trying to figure out what to do with this worn out bearing from the bottom of my 1989 Suzuki Jeep steering column. The column has a ball raced bearing at the steering wheel end. But at the bottom end the inner shaft runs in a soft "rubber" bush. 40k miles on the clock and it's totally worn out. New bush not available separately (only complete column and even that's not available any more).

I'm trying to understand why Suzuki would use a soft bearing. My attempts to machine a new soft bearing have failed, I could machine a hard bearing though.

 

[BrianPetersen]

Vibration / road shock absorption? I'd just machine a polyurethane or UHMW polyethylene bushing and be done with it, and perhaps keep an eye on it for a while.

 

[GregLocock]

Why do they use it? It is cheap and it works. Unless there is a boot you haven't drawn it is a dirt seal as well as a bearing, a 'proper' bearing would fail more quickly. I'm intrigued by the lack of wear on the steering shaft. If it was one of those impregnated materials I suppose over 31 years it might have shrunk.

OH, and cheer up, the plain bearings in the suspension of my TR4 had to be greased every 1500 miles.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[rcx194]

@greglocock would a sealed bearing have been too much of an expense for Suzuki? The top bearing is a low cost open ball bearing.

I've managed to find an aftermarket replacement, it's being sent from India where these jeeps are still very common as they produced them for much longer.

 

[SwinnyGG]

@greglocock would a sealed bearing have been too much of an expense for Suzuki

Well a sealed ball bearing, plus machining of both parts to properly accept a ball bearing, would increase the cost of that part of the assembly by at least an order of magnitude. So, yes, it was almost certainly a decision made because of cost.

 

[GregLocock]

I'm going with (a) it passed durability (b) it wasn't specified or expected to last for 30 years and (c) yes cost is always a factor. I wouldn't ignore Brian's point either.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

 

[rcx194]

Thank you all for the explanations, very enlightening to get this insight.