Gear reduction steering bearing block fabrication

[cleat 5,887]

I have found several of the lower bearing blocks for the reduction steering assembly cracked.

Here is one that I have here that is cracked.

 

If the block is worn and you try and drill it for a bushing it also usually cracks so I decided to make my own.

I went and bought a short length of 1"x1.5" flat bar (over $20 for that, I guess steel prices must be up).

 

Marked bar then cut off.

 

I then drilled the blanks for the 3/4"x 7/8" bushings that will be installed.

 

Then the holes were drilled for the mounting bolts and grease fitting.

 

Bearing block bolted to steering block for test fit.

 

I now need to order the bushings then I can finish these.

 

[peter lena 8,597]

@cleat  awesome job !  can you say   lucas x tra hd green chassis grease ? ALSO POLYUREA  RATED , so it will stay with it ,always like to over build a problem spot . related front axel  and  spindle bearings / wheel bearings , like it too . pete  

[cleat 5,887]

 

5 minutes ago, peter lena said:

@cleat  awesome job !  can you say   lucas x tra hd green chassis grease ? ALSO POLYUREA  RATED , so it will stay with it ,always like to over build a problem spot . related front axel  and  spindle bearings / wheel bearings , like it too . pete  

 

I agree.

This one came to me cracked.

Others arrive worn.

Once I repair then I use good quality synthetic grease and basically never have an issue again.

 

I believe the steering block grease fittings on both gear reduction and non gear reduction units get missed by a lot of owners so they just run dry and wear out.

 

 

[ri702bill 8,301]

Nice work, Cleat. Those thin-walled bushings are not "standard" and not cheap...

 

 

[ri702bill 8,301]

3 hours ago, cleat said:

I went and bought a short length of 1"x1.5" flat bar (over $20 for that, I guess steel prices must be up).

Yes, the price for steel is going up... let's see what next year brings....