This is for the person asking about the steering column felt. I deleted
your original message by mistake so am just posting this to the list.
These instructions are for a Bugeye but should at least work on all of the
early cars.
1. Disassemble the entire column. Remember or mark how far the column
extends from the inner tube. This will make it easier to install the bottom
felt.
2. Attempt removal of the original felt without distruction. Catch one of
the inner edges with a needle nose and roll it up on the pliers.
3. Size your new felts length based on the old felts (both top and bottom).
The new will be longer. Don't cut it exactly the same length as the old but
cut it a little longer to allow for some compression.
4. Soak the new felts in any medium weight oil for a couple of hours. While
you're at it, lube the inside of the tube also. This just makes it easier to
install the felt.
5. Install the upper felt first. The top end of the tube has a lip and its
easier to install this one first. Roll the felt up, insert it in the tube
and unroll it. Use a screwdriver and your fingers to press the felt out
against the sides of the tube. Using the screwdriver, and your finger, work
the edges out until they meet and do not overlap (this is where the
compression comes in). If this proves to be impossible, you may need to
trim a little from one end of the felt.
6. Grease the end and insert the top of the steering column into the tube
from the bottom, this is the opposite end from where you just installed the
felt. Carefully work it through the felt. It's pretty easy to get it
started because the tapered end and shoulder go through the felt first. Work
it until you can get it in and out, use some light oil if needed.
7. With the column extending from the tube the distance measured or marked
in step one, push the column down in the tube a little more than the width
of your bottom felt. Wrap the felt around the column up against the bottom
of the tube. While turning pushing the column from the bottom, work the felt
up into the tube, use a small bladed screwdriver to help stuff the felt
inside the tube.
The new felts may or may not be the same as your original but will most
likely be different, at least in the width of the bottom felt. The ones I
used I got from VB and only needed a slight trim length wise.
Larry Miller
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