Bob, There are two types of Silentblocs available today; the rubber/steel
type as well as the bronze/stainless ones from Revington or British Frame
and Engine. The former are the most common - probably due to price (about
$16 ea vs $40-$50 ea for the stainless/bronze type). Both allow movement
between the outer bushing and the central steel pin.
The rubber ones have an outer steel sleeve that presses into the center tie
rod and an inner steel sleeve. Between the two sleeves is a rubber cushion
which doesn't twist or turn. The stainless/bronze bushes have a stainless
pin that turns inside a one piece bronze bush. In neither case does the
bushing itself turn or twist as it's a press-fit in the center tie rod. Both
pins are designed to freely turn in the bush. As you turn the steering wheel
causing the the drop and idler arms to pivot, the silentbloc pin, which is
fixed in the drop and idler arms by taper fit and nyloc nut, HAS to be able
to turn in the bush.
Did I misinterpret your question - or do you have VERY hard steering?
Michael Ferguson
1959 TR3A TS53990L
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>From: Bob and Nancy <wises@mail.execpc.com>
>To: triumphs@autox.team.net
>Subject: Question: TR3 steering
>Date: Mon, May 29, 2000, 9:25 PM
>
>
> I replaced the center tie rod assembly and both outer tie rod
> assemblies on my 1961 TR3's steering today and ran across something
> that puzzles me. All of the tie rod ends are able to swivel in their
> respective housings (common knowledge for anyone who has ever even
> looked at a steering system). However, the (rubber) bushes
> (silentbloc, and pin assembly--P.N. 105063) at each end of the center
> tie rod assembly are not designed to swivel. Therefore, as one turns
> to the right or left, those bushes are twisted quite significantly.
> Can anyone explain to me the wisdom of such a system (if I have
> understood and described it correctly)?
>
> Bob
>
> Carpe cervasium
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