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Sunbeam Alpine Series III-V: Excessive play at the steering wheel

Tim R

Silver Level Sponsor
This video shows how we got lucky when we found ourselves with excessive play at the steering wheel on our Series IV and were able to cure it simply and for no cost.
Tim R

 

DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
I have a simple solution to those that can't fix or find a replacement.

A friend made some thin bushings (sleeves) that slip snugly onto the shaft "fixed" permanently with 3m glue and them a hard type plastic bushing that fits inside the outer column and around the sleeve.

No noise from the worn ball bears and No play!
 

Tim R

Silver Level Sponsor
DanR that sounds like an excellent idea and is similar to the original Series I&II set up with the felt bush set up. If you have video of the parts and process I would be happy to put that up on the Sunbeam Alpine Channel as that would help Alpine owners Worldwide.

Tim R
 

DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
Tim, I do not have a video, just pictures! I have not learned how to do a video well enough to upload one.

Yours are an enjoyment for me!

The bushings and sleeves are utilized in my Electric Power Steering Units (EPS) and have proven to be durable, quite and smooth.



Sunbeam Upper Sterring Column with bushing and sleeve replacement by DanR 12142020.jpg
Upper Column BUshing for the Alpine EPS 20200516_143538.jpg Upper Column BUshing for the Alpine EPS 20200516_143402.jpg Sunbeam Steering column replacement bushing and sleeve by DanR 20211114_123741.jpg
 

DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
Bottom ? There are not bushings on the bottom of the Alpine steering.

If you are referring to the EPS, then there is a bushing requirement where I cut the outer column and inner shaft.

That bushing is a steel outer with a bronze/brass oil imbedded bushing.
 

260Alpine

Silver Level Sponsor
Dan, I was thinking of using the stock steering column cut off to go to rack and pinion steering. I should have asked if the steel tubing and plastic bushing would fit on the bottom. I'm thinking everything is the same diameter top and bottom so it should work?
 

DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
Dan, I was thinking of using the stock steering column cut off to go to rack and pinion steering. I should have asked if the steel tubing and plastic bushing would fit on the bottom. I'm thinking everything is the same diameter top and bottom so it should work?

I have a bushing that will fit perfectly in the lower column of the Alpine/Tiger. The tube (outer column) is the same top to bottom.

I should note the bottom may get a bit more pressure than the top if you connect to a knuckle and my Steel and brass bushing will withstand that pressure.....
 

Tim R

Silver Level Sponsor
Guys, Just for info the steering 'experts' in the UK are completely opposed to fitting power steering to the Alpine system. Apparently it is completely unsuitable for it and trials with a variety of systems have resulted in cracked steering columns and Burman boxes. It is not an area that I have any expertise in but I just thought that I would mention it as it has been a topic of conversation here recently. They are not anti- power steering in general and apparently it works well on the Tiger set up but they say it is not suitable and potentially dangerous to put it onto an Alpine.

Tim R
 

DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
First I've heard of any problems. I will discontinue offering until further notice.

Tim, May I assume your reference to the power steering in the Tiger is because it does not incorporate the Burman ? Otherwise there are no problems?
 

Mike O'D

Gold Level Sponsor
It would be interesting to get some more information on the set-ups that failed. It takes a certain amount of torque to turn the wheels - it shouldn't make any difference if it is turned by hand or by an electric motor.
 

Barry

Diamond Level Sponsor
Guys, Just for info the steering 'experts' in the UK are completely opposed to fitting power steering to the Alpine system. Apparently it is completely unsuitable for it and trials with a variety of systems have resulted in cracked steering columns and Burman boxes. It is not an area that I have any expertise in but I just thought that I would mention it as it has been a topic of conversation here recently. They are not anti- power steering in general and apparently it works well on the Tiger set up but they say it is not suitable and potentially dangerous to put it onto an Alpine.

Tim R




This strikes me as a classic internet FUD job based on unexplained, unspecified and undocumented but supposedly "potentially dangerous" problems that are very loosely attributed to unidentified "steering 'experts' in the UK". Note multiple references to the mysterious "they".
 
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DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
This strikes me as a classic internet FUD job based on unexplained, unspecified and undocumented but supposedly "potentially dangerous" problems that are very loosely attributed to unidentified "steering 'experts' in the UK". Note multiple references to the mysterious "they".
Barry, I am hoping that contact can be made with the UK Steering experts to gather data that will support or refute the dangerous application of a EPS in an Alpine.

Just became aware of the potential pledged claim early this morning
 

Tim R

Silver Level Sponsor
Barry,
It wasn't meant to sound like that, apologies if it did (not sure what FUD means but I guess that it isn't good). We have a couple of guys in the owner's club here in the UK who specialise in refurbishing the Burman steering boxes. They have done it for many years. I was with one of them a week or so ago (when they helped me cure the excess play on my son's Series IV steering wheel) and he was telling me about problems when people add power steering to the Alpine system. It wouldn't be fair of me to start naming them but 'they' are both known to me personally and are genuine experts at what they do. When these guys pass on they will leave a huge hole with the loss of their knowledge. Currently they are leading the negotiations here with a company to re-manufacture the worm and nuts so that they can continue to offer fully re-furbished steering units for our cars.

I am happy to contact the guy I spoke with and see if he would be prepared to share the details of his experiences with power steering on here and exactly what it was that failed.

Best Wishes,

Tim R
 

65sunbeam

SAOCA Membership Director
Diamond Level Sponsor
Would be interesting to know just how they failed as well. Were the steering stops removed/altered? Where they used in competition? Were they run without lube? Were they used with oversized or wide wheels and tires? Many questions, some photos and answers would be a big help.
 

Tim R

Silver Level Sponsor
Eric,
I have just e-mailed to ask for permission to share further details. If I am able to do that I will happily ask them to answer any additional questions that people on here may have.
Tim R
 

Barry

Diamond Level Sponsor
Barry,
It wasn't meant to sound like that, apologies if it did (not sure what FUD means but I guess that it isn't good). We have a couple of guys in the owner's club here in the UK who specialise in refurbishing the Burman steering boxes. They have done it for many years. I was with one of them a week or so ago (when they helped me cure the excess play on my son's Series IV steering wheel) and he was telling me about problems when people add power steering to the Alpine system. It wouldn't be fair of me to start naming them but 'they' are both known to me personally and are genuine experts at what they do. When these guys pass on they will leave a huge hole with the loss of their knowledge. Currently they are leading the negotiations here with a company to re-manufacture the worm and nuts so that they can continue to offer fully re-furbished steering units for our cars.

I am happy to contact the guy I spoke with and see if he would be prepared to share the details of his experiences with power steering on here and exactly what it was that failed.

Best Wishes,

Tim R




FUD is a Three Letter Acronym for Fear, Uncertainty & Doubt that is associated with unsubstantiated negative allegations.
 
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DanR

Diamond Level Sponsor
Eric,
I have just e-mailed to ask for permission to share further details. If I am able to do that I will happily ask them to answer any additional questions that people on here may have.
Tim R

Tim, I am most interested in what they have knowledge and experience wise mainly because I developed a EPS Unit for the Alpine. It has been a pleasure to drive with my Blue Boy V6.
 
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