That felt at the top of the steering column

paul wilks · Post by **paul wilks** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 9:14 am

Reading the Southern Section report in the June (vol 60 number 60) Jowetteer (page 19) by Ian Roxburgh, got me thinking.
Admittedly 'Yellow Peril' has only been back on the road for about five years but I can vaguely remember oiling a felt pad as described but I cannot for the life of me remember how to get at it and whether to use just engine oil or something lighter.
Can someone please advise, including any potential problems etc? (I always seem to get those!)

I know all about the obvious grease points etc (inc the "difficult to get at" ones, like the two at the base of the steering and gear columns, but are there any others I could have missed, something a lot less obvious to the uninitiated?

Thanks

Paul

Jack · Post by **Jack** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:02 pm

Hi Paul,

To properly get at it you'd need to remove the steering wheel - unscrew the grub screw for the horn push, pull it out, then undo the big nut to remove.

Once that is off you will probably be able to see the felt at the top, though if it has been oiled in recent years I can't imagine it will need regular maintenance unless it fails. And even if it fails it should be an easy enough fix.

Is it causing you any issues, is the sterring heavier than normal?

Interestingly, when building the Jupiter this was not replaced with felt but with a strip of oiled cloth which is wrapped around the requisite number of times to fill the gap snugly without affecting the resistance of the wheel turning.

Jack.

Keith Clements · Post by **Keith Clements** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 1:21 pm

The felt has no lubricating functions as there is no bearing at the top of the steering column. If it is not squeaking, no need to oil. A few drops of light machine oil should be used. There should be no extra liquid to seep down to the horn ring! If the column is rattling or there is movement then the felt may need to be replaced or reformed to prevent such movement. It is not critical though.

There is a grease nipple at the bottom of the column that is often overlooked!

paul wilks · Post by **paul wilks** » Mon Jun 09, 2014 5:50 pm

Thanks for this.
No, the steering isn't heavier than normal. I just thought since I haven't oiled it I should!
I grease the two nipples at the bottom of the steering/gear change column- more than is necessary probably!

Thanks

Paul

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That felt at the top of the steering column

That felt at the top of the steering column

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