Hi Bob,
I agree with you that at first glance the application of reciprocating
needle bearings seems questionable. In reality, they seem to work quite
well.
Perhaps the U joint needle bearings are one of the most common &
successful uses of them in a non rotating application.
In the case under discussion, I believe Cape's "Steering Trunion
Bearings" is the same as the AH Spares bearings, I doubt that the cost
of special bearings & their fitting would offer enough improvement to
be of benefit. The original bearing design is fairly low friction &
offers long trouble free life. The weight of the car is not against this
bearing so it is not heavily loaded. I doubt that steering effort is
reduced much.
Regards,
Dave Russell
Bob Spidell wrote:
>Tom,
>
>I am totally unqualified to answer this question, but that's never
>stopped me ;)
>
>Generally, I have heard--and this makes mucho sense--that needle
>bearings aren't a
>particularly good idea on (for lack of a better word) "reciprocating"
>pivots. Usually, this
>is in reference to using needle bearings on valve rockers, but the
>principle is the same:
>since the bearing doesn't rotate completely about the shaft, the needle
>bearings are
>essentially rocking back and forth on the same limited surfaces (also
>you are
>"concentrating" the friction and pressure on less surface area than for
>a bushing).
>Obviously, this can cause excessive localized wear, even to the point of
>wearing
>grooves in the shaft or flat-spotting the bearings themselves.
>
>Given that the bushes are (should be) regularly lubed with quality
>grease (I don't think
>they're oillite, BTW), I'd expect them to last 100K miles or more. The
>needle bearings
>might make steering a teensy bit easier, but who doesn't need a little
>biceps workout?
>
>
>bs
>
>
>Tom Rech wrote:
>
>
>>I'm thinking about rebuilding my front suspension and using the AH Spares
>>needle bearings (I'm assuming they're needle bearings) in place of the
>>original oillite washers. Before I buy, I would like to hear the list's
>>opinion. Are they worth the expense?
>>
>>Tom Rech
>>59 BT7
>>_______________________________________________
>>bspidell@comcast.net
>>
>>Healeys@autox.team.net
>>http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
_______________________________________________
Healeys@autox.team.net
http://autox.team.net/mailman/listinfo/healeys
|