Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

[Robert D]

I'm working on a '72 Chris Craft at http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=561548 and am deep into the 270 drive right now. I tend do go overboard on som ethings, so tell me now before I fire up the lathe and make some parts. The steering yoke bushings as you know are plastic. I'm about to improve on the design....I think...and make a set out of bronze. Anyone see any issues with that?

Also considering machining the transom shield a bit to accept a pressed in seal, from the outside. This is generally above the waterline, but a wave could theoretically push a few droplets of water up the shaft. (I did say overboard, right? I like to build stuff so my grandkids can still use it in 50 years!)

Any comments before I start machining????

Note: I have opted not to replace the pivot pin bushings with anything except plastic. They are easily accessible, and I'm thinking the different metals there may create a corrosion issue.

 

[Robert D]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

Okay, no comments......the lathe starts up on Saturday! Not completely overkill....I did consider machining for needle bearings.....

 

[Robert D]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

Steering Yoke bushings are made and installed! Finished off the bushings by putting a groove on the inside to route the grease all the way around. Nice tight fit now, and I suspect it'll outlive the rest of the boat. At least I'll never have to deal with worn plastic bushings again.

 

[captmello]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

When I replaced my bushings a couple years back, I never considered machining my own. I guess without a lathe, bronze stock, and the know how, i opted for the $40 plastic bushings. Looks like a fun project!

 

[Robert D]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

I picked up an end piece of 2 1/4" round bronze stock for $5.....sure beats $40 for plastic! I'm having second thoughts on the pivot pin bushings now.....maybe will do those in bronze as well....

 

[Nickypoo]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

Ok, I honestly have no idea, and I don't want to be the stick in the mud here, but could the hardness of the bronze accelerate wear of the aluminum, hence the plastic bushings?

Or is the shaft stainless steel?

Your lathe work looks amazing, I wish I had one of those to play around with. Do you have any pictures of them installed?

 

[Robert D]

Re: Volvo 270 steering yoke bushings

I didn't think of any pictures while I installed the yoke.....I test fitted it, and it fit so well I went ahead and installed it using a stainless steel bolt to replace the factory one which looked questionable, and greased it. Good question on the hardness. Actually, the concern is in wear on the steering yoke as it is what's moving. It is steel, and the bronze is a softer metal. (Which is why bronze is a common bearing/bushing compound.) The transom shield is aluminum.....there is a higher risk with a plastic bushing, in that if it wears and the shaft starts touching the aluminum, yoiu can end up ruining the transom shield.

There is a school of thought that vehicle engineers have spent hours and hours developing the end product to be reliable. While this is true, they are also spending hours and hours figuring out the least expensive way to make something, and still maintain an 'acceptable' level of reliability. (Many of us would disagree with what they consider 'acceptable!) Basically they saved $40 per outdrive using plastic bushings, and sacrificed some longetivity......but they are happy to sell you a set for that $40! It's a very common practice in the automative world, regardless of the manufacturer. It does help keep costs down for the most part, and gives peope like me the enjoyment of making a product better than the factory built.