<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div>Hi Gary,</div><div>Fitting is near identical to using the original phosphor bronze bearing, except you use the needle roller bearing. i.e. You replace the phosphor bronze bearing with the needle roller bearing. </div><div>You have to shim the trunnion irrespective of which bearing you choose to use. </div><div>If you rebuild your kin pins and don't use a needle roller bearing you still need to shim for correct vertical end float. </div><div>And shims are available from most of the usual suspects. </div><div>E.g. <a href="https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/Suspension-Front/SHIM-0004-trunnion-bearing.aspx">https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/Suspension-Front/SHIM-0004-trunnion-bearing.aspx</a></div><div>Lots of other people have fitted them over the past 10 years, and I'm not sure why you'd need a machine shop to get involved?</div><div><a href="http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/showthread.php?16711-Trunnion-roller-bearings">http://www.britishcarforum.com/bcf/showthread.php?16711-Trunnion-roller-bearings</a></div><div>Best</div><div>Chris<br><br><div>Sent from my iPhone</div></div><div><br>On 10 Aug 2016, at 2:21 AM, <a href="mailto:warthodson@aol.com">warthodson@aol.com</a> wrote:<br><br></div><blockquote type="cite"><div><font color="black" size="2" face="arial">
<div>I have not tried the roller bearings in the top trunion, so I cannot comment on how effective they are in reducing the overall steering effort required as compared to a correctly set up & lubricated original front suspension. However, simply as a warning to anyone reading this discussion who is not completely familiar with all the issues, I have read that they (trunion roller bearings) may require shimming to obtain the proper clearance (vertical end float) of the kingpin & it is my understanding that this is especially difficult because no shims are available or machining may be required.</div>
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<div>Gary Hodson </div>
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<div style="color: black; font-family: arial,helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Chris Dimmock <a href="mailto:austin.healey@gmail.com">austin.healey@gmail.com</a><br>
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<div>Hi John,</div>
<div>Thick oil/ Penrite Steering box grease will also make the steering heavier. </div>
<div>So will under inflated tyres.</div>
<div>So will an Unlubricated top Trunion phosphor bronze thrust washer, or poorly shimmed. I.e. Too tight. </div>
<div>So will a smaller steering wheel. </div>
<div>So will wide tyres. </div>
<div>So will thick oil in the steering idler box. </div>
<div>So will too much castor. </div>
<div> </div>
<div>I have wide (6 inch) tyres, heaps of negative camber, and a small steering wheel. </div>
<div>I run 32 - 34 PSI in the front tyres, 2lb less in the rears. </div>
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</div>
<div>Yes - Penrite type steering box grease will make your steering heavier. </div>
<div>To get it back to "normal", I also run these. </div>
<div><a href="https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx" target="_blank">https://www.ahspares.co.uk/austin-healey/big-healey/suspension-front/top-trunnion-bearing-kit-pair.aspx</a></div>
<div>No commercial interest. </div>
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<div>Try Roller bearing top Trunion bearings. </div>
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Best</div>
<div>Chris <br>
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