I replaced mine MANY years ago (I've had my Alpine since 1980), and the
replacement crossbar I got at the time has a conventional tie-rod type ball
joint with a zerk on each end. It's worked fine for almost 20 years, so I
don't see why the design would cause a problem.
Jon Arzt
>From: Jay_Laifman@countrywide.com
>Reply-To: Jay_Laifman@countrywide.com
>To: alpines@autox.team.net
>Subject: polyurethane crosstube
>Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 18:40:35 -0700
>
>I have been thinking about finally fixing the center crosstube on my Alpine
>- this is that long tube that runs along the back of the engine connecting
>the steering mechanism. I got a "new" one from SS about 8 years ago,
>installed it 3 years after that, and it was already shot 2 years later.
>
>I know that XK's Unlimited sells a new and improved bearing for the
>Jaguars. It uses a "real" bearing rather than the rubber donut in the
>Alpine. But the width of the outside of those bearings are larger than the
>hole in the ends of our rod. So, new ends would have to be made and welded
>on to the rod.
>
>Also, I've been told that the give of the rubber is actually part of the
>design and needed for the steering - maybe Jarrid commented about that to
>this group. Dan Walters even mentioned to me the other week that if you
>put in something more solid, you might have to shim out one side of the
>steering. I don't understand why.
>
>So, does anyone have any thoughts on this and any sources for getting
>polyurethane cut to fit?
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jay
>
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