General Power steering

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General Power steering

It does look the same. It looks exactly the same. That's a bit strange.
Here is a picture with part of the spare one I have, the inside bearing on the shaft. I got this column to use the sensor, but it was not working in the end, was even worse than the broken one I had (the computer and little motor are good). I bought a new one and it works very good. But my column is exactly the same size as this other one.
I mesured again and the bearing's sizes are the ones I put earlier.
The chassis/body is the same, 188.

That looks like the gear in contact with the pump/motor with the bit that attaches to the steering universal joint rod.
The bearing I'm after is the one right at the top of the column where the steering wheel attaches.
I'll get a pic on here.
 
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Here's a pic
 

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Oh... that one. That I did not take out (I was guiding you about the other one).
That solves the mystery of different sizes. This is smaller, for sure is the same size you've mentioned.
So if you won't find one closer to you, I have this one (I'll have to get it out too). I am in Romania, have no idea how much the transport fee would be, but I reckon it should be less than £600 (the price of new column).
How did you managed to brake that bearing?
 
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Oh... that one. That I did not take out (I was guiding you about the other one).
That solves the mystery of different sizes. This is smaller, for sure is the same size you've mentioned.
So if you won't find one closer to you, I have this one (I'll have to get it out too). I am in Romania, have no idea how much the transport fee would be, but I reckon it should be less than £600 (the price of new column).
How did you managed to brake that bearing?

I didn't brake it. I bought a reconditioned column due to the torque sensor failing.
The reconditioned column came with that bearing failed. I've sent it back twice and they still say there is nothing wrong with it.
My neighbour is from Romania. He goes back often to see his family. I'll ask where his family live.
 
My neighbour is from Romania. He goes back often to see his family. I'll ask where his family live.
That is great. I'm from Timisoara.
I just hope this bearing is ok. When I bought this column (due to the torque sensor failing) I put entire column in but with it, the steering was rotating very hard (never mind the EPS, just the mechanical part was kind of not moving free, there was friction). What state is the bearing that you got out? Can you see it being damaged? I think if a bearing is broken you can see that by looking at it and rotating it around. I did not bother to see for sure where the fault is on that column as I saw I can open up the column and get just the sensor out of it, which I did. And the rest I've mentioned it already, that sensor was failing too and I bought a new one.
So I assume you gave your column to the people you bought this one from, is that correct?
 
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Although... I remember now. Plus the shaft in this bearing moves free, no signs of it being broken. I remembered that the very shaft from the picture I posted above is off-center, I could see it after it didn't worked on the car, and it moved free when I took out the other bearing (it has another one under that white wheel).
 
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That is great. I'm from Timisoara.
I just hope this bearing is ok. When I bought this column (due to the torque sensor failing) I put entire column in but with it, the steering was rotating very hard (never mind the EPS, just the mechanical part was kind of not moving free, there was friction). What state is the bearing that you got out? Can you see it being damaged? I think if a bearing is broken you can see that by looking at it and rotating it around. I did not bother to see for sure where the fault is on that column as I saw I can open up the column and get just the sensor out of it, which I did. And the rest I've mentioned it already, that sensor was failing too and I bought a new one.
So I assume you gave your column to the people you bought this one from, is that correct?

Yes, they have my original column, which was in good condition apart from the steering sensor!
They now don't have it to send back to me.
I opened my original and got the sensor of but it was £100 for a replacement from Italy. So I thought a recon one for £150 with a warranty would be a good buy. How wrong was I....
 
I wait for you to give me the word and I will take this bearing out and ready. Hope thy neighbour will come visit soon.

Hold fire for now. I've just found and purchased off eBay the top section of the steering column for £25
Hopefully the bearing in that is good. They said it was so we will see.
Cosmin and his wife Sorana may not be visiting now.
I will let you know how I get on when I fit it.

Out of curiousity are you Romanian?
Your written English seems very good!
Well done if so?
James
 
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Yes, I am Romanian. Thank you.
I was wondering about how do people travel these days... not so much.
I started thinking that I have a friend who is working at Timisoara Airport and maybe he can help me send the bearing with an airplane. :)
I'm glad you found one that is closer to you and that you will solve this problem with the power steering.
 
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Yes, I am Romanian. Thank you.
I was wondering about how do people travel these days... not so much.
I started thinking that I have a friend who is working at Timisoara Airport and maybe he can help me send the bearing with an airplane. :)
I'm glad you found one that is closer to you and that you will solve this problem with the power steering.

Neighbour is in Targa Mures.
His parents live there. Apparently he has a lorry come here every two to three weeks which he said if I get stuff delivered to his parents address they will pop it on the truck. Let's hope this top section from eBay is good. Your written English is very good!
 
CurryMunster, I am curious to know what actually is wrong with your bearing. You would imagine a ball bearing with shields in a protected environment, which hardly gets any use, would last easily for the long life of a car.

If you put some thin oil or other solvent in the bearing and spin it with your hand what does it sound like?
 
CurryMunster, I am curious to know what actually is wrong with your bearing. You would imagine a ball bearing with shields in a protected environment, which hardly gets any use, would last easily for the long life of a car.

If you put some thin oil or other solvent in the bearing and spin it with your hand what does it sound like?

I agree, I have two cars from 95 and the column bearings are perfect!
This however was picked up by the MOT test as an advisory for lateral movement in the steering column.
Having paid for a reconditioned column I couldn't except that.
If you look at the bearing the inner race has moved closer to the outer race so it is now deformed and gives the impression of being buckled as it spins.
It sounds okay when spun but feels a bit gratey.
The main problem is the lateral play.
I'm guessing the person that drove it would lean on the wheel and over the years it's deformed it.
It's not a standard ball bearing due to the different forces. It's known as an angular contact bearing.
I think it's one of those one off problems and of course I have no idea how many miles the recon column had done. I hope that helps clear it up a bit.
When I fitted it I didn't notice. It was only the MOT guy that bought it to my attention. As he said, much more and it will be a failure.....
 
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I agree, I have two cars from 95 and the column bearings are perfect!
This however was picked up by the MOT test as an advisory for lateral movement in the steering column.
Having paid for a reconditioned column I couldn't except that.
If you look at the bearing the inner race has moved closer to the outer race so it is now deformed and gives the impression of being buckled as it spins.
It sounds okay when spun but feels a bit gratey.
The main problem is the lateral play.
I'm guessing the person that drove it would lean on the wheel and over the years it's deformed it.
It's not a standard ball bearing due to the different forces. It's known as an angular contact bearing.
I think it's one of those one off problems and of course I have no idea how many miles the recon column had done. I hope that helps clear it up a bit.
When I fitted it I didn't notice. It was only the MOT guy that bought it to my attention. As he said, much more and it will be a failure.....

Are you sure it is the bearing that has failed or just the shields are bent and the preload for the bearing is insufficient due to some other damage outside the bearing?
 
Are you sure it is the bearing that has failed or just the shields are bent and the preload for the bearing is insufficient due to some other damage outside the bearing?

I really don't know. All I know is there is play and there shouldn't be. It is tight fitting on the shaft and in the sleeve. I know as it was me who removed it.
It's a strange one. May be I've got it wrong but there is definitely play in it
 
I really don't know. All I know is there is play and there shouldn't be. It is tight fitting on the shaft and in the sleeve. I know as it was me who removed it.
It's a strange one. May be I've got it wrong but there is definitely play in it

I might be wrong but i am thinking that since it is an angular contact bearing it needs another bearing or some other force to cause the contact area of the angular contact bearing to be firmly held in position. So under that scenario the shaft is pulled by a force to cause the bearing to be tight and there could be some other thing that is not correct to cause the bearing to be loose.
 
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I might be wrong but i am thinking that since it is an angular contact bearing it needs another bearing or some other force to cause the contact area of the angular contact bearing to be firmly held in position. So under that scenario the shaft is pulled by a force to cause the bearing to be tight and there could be some other thing that is not correct to cause the bearing to be loose.

The play is side to side not up and down.
IE. When you rock the steering wheel
It's it possible to post a video on here?
Only a few seconds long?
 
The play is side to side not up and down.
IE. When you rock the steering wheel
It's it possible to post a video on here?
Only a few seconds long?

I could be wrong and it does not matter but maybe the cage has broken and the balls have moved to one side which gives you that off center position. I suppose I should leave you alone and stop thinking about it! :D
 
Yes, I am Romanian. Thank you.
I was wondering about how do people travel these days... not so much.
I started thinking that I have a friend who is working at Timisoara Airport and maybe he can help me send the bearing with an airplane. :)
I'm glad you found one that is closer to you and that you will solve this problem with the power steering.

Hey Mike,
I've got the second hand column to which had movement in and now it's fitted it's still got play.
So if the offer for the bearing is still on offer I'd like it please.
Let me know how much you want for the bearing plus postage to targua.
Cheers
James
 
I could be wrong and it does not matter but maybe the cage has broken and the balls have moved to one side which gives you that off center position. I suppose I should leave you alone and stop thinking about it! :D

The bearing is out and did not look broken. Just worn.
Maybe there is something in missing here.
If so I'd love to know what?!
 
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