Steering coupling - diameter of locking wire?

[Colin Lindsay]

I'm currently refurbishing a couple of Herald steering couplings, the FAM1718 versions. Does anyone know off-hand the diameter of locking wire required for the shoulder bolts?

[Paul H]

1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said:

I'm currently refurbishing a couple of Herald steering couplings, the FAM1718 versions. Does anyone know off-hand the diameter of locking wire required for the shoulder bolts?

0.85 mm

Paul

[Colin Lindsay]

Thanks Paul, I'll order some. I don't think I need a 125 metre roll of it, thought, even if it is only a tenner - that's the size of roll I've found in my first few online searches... and of course, 8mm or 9mm but nothing in between. Keep looking!

[RogerH]

I use these people for locking wire  https://www.lasaero.com/products/article/T04IR671X

 

Roger

[Colin Lindsay]

I think I need less than a foot of the stuff, just to be sure (might refurbish another) so I think a raid on the in-laws is in order...  

The couplings clean up very nicely, easier to do than I thought they might be.

 

 

[Pete Lewis]

the later disc UJ can have a pair of  pressed out crossing  plates  to make it fail safe if the disc fails 

lots of free play but you can avoid the hedge  !!!

Pete

[daverclasper]

On 11/10/2020 at 15:36, Colin Lindsay said:

and of course, 8mm or 9mm

Did you mean 0.8/0.9. If so. Would .8 be too bodgy?. .9 not squeeze in there?. I'm not an engineer, so just wondered.

[Colin Lindsay]

11 minutes ago, daverclasper said:

Did you mean 0.8/0.9. If so. Would .8 be too bodgy?. .9 not squeeze in there?. I'm not an engineer, so just wondered.

Yes, that's what I should have said. I haven't tried any wire at all yet Dave but will sneak across to the in-laws Engineering works, probably tomorrow, and try a range of sizes. I'll take an original unmolested version across and four hours later, after myriad tests, gauges and examinations my father in law will confirm the size, structural strength, ancestry and chemical composition of the wire... then find me an old piece off a shelf somewhere that will match the original, by eye alone. It'll cost me a packet of chocolate biscuits but at least I know it'll fit.

[Peter Truman]

 Where’s the earth strap across the old assembled joint how did the steering column earth to get the horn to work.

I think I just used a length of baling wire to lock the bolts always have some in the garage.

Have you are you going to do the modification suggested sometimes on the forum of filing out one side of Each end of the clamp so it gets a more effective clamping effect. My daughters Spit assembly has loosened a couple of times permitting the steering wheel to be pulled up it wouldn’t have slid off but extremely disconcerting.

[Colin Lindsay]

The earth strap is in the middle; it goes from one bolt on the top half to the other end of the bolt from the bottom half so that the current is able to cross the bushes through the securing bolts; not opposite, which would be the same half of the coupling, but at right angles. In the second photo it's under the bolt and washer closest to the camera, then is above the bush on the bolt to the left so that each half is connected through the bolts.

 

[Colin Lindsay]

Just to confirm that 0.9 mm worked perfectly; I bought 10m of 20 swg stainless for £1.79 so have enough for every car I'll ever own.

[PeteH]

Ah!!. Beat me to it 20swg would likely have been original?. (0.33" to 0.37"). I cheated and fitted the "modified" U-J courtesy of Rimmer. Having converted to PAS.

Pete.

[Colin Lindsay]

It was the challenge of the rebuild that made me do it!! Just finished a DG heater motor and am now starting a Lucas M35G - not J - starter. All for the fun of it.

[Chris A]

1 hour ago, Colin Lindsay said:

It was the challenge of the rebuild that made me do it!! Just finished a DG heater motor and am now starting a Lucas M35G - not J - starter. All for the fun of it.

You need to get out more 😷

[poppyman]

He keeps trying to, but the government won't let him  

Tony.