I replaced the upper bushing in the Westfield’s steering column today.
Posts on WSCC indicate that you can simply drive the new bushing in from the top and displace the old one a little further down the column. After doing that and taking the car for a test drive, I discovered that the steering was much stiffer than before and it would no longer self center. Not good.
I then pulled out the column, thinking that I might have to remove the new bushing and mill it down a bit. After feeling around for a burr, and finding none, I decided to try reinstall the column and try it one more time before pulling the bushing. Much to my surprise the steering had freed up considerably. Weird. I reassembled everything and took the car for another drive, and all was back to normal…or so I thought. After getting the car back in the garage I discovered that the steering lock is acting up. It works fine if the key isn’t in the ignition, but it won’t lock if the key is in the ignition – even if the key is not turned. Not sure what is going on, but something ain’t right. My best guess is that I dislodged/broke something when I was pounding in the bushing. More research is required.
Posts on WSCC indicate that you can simply drive the new bushing in from the top and displace the old one a little further down the column. After doing that and taking the car for a test drive, I discovered that the steering was much stiffer than before and it would no longer self center. Not good.
I then pulled out the column, thinking that I might have to remove the new bushing and mill it down a bit. After feeling around for a burr, and finding none, I decided to try reinstall the column and try it one more time before pulling the bushing. Much to my surprise the steering had freed up considerably. Weird. I reassembled everything and took the car for another drive, and all was back to normal…or so I thought. After getting the car back in the garage I discovered that the steering lock is acting up. It works fine if the key isn’t in the ignition, but it won’t lock if the key is in the ignition – even if the key is not turned. Not sure what is going on, but something ain’t right. My best guess is that I dislodged/broke something when I was pounding in the bushing. More research is required.
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