Hot drivers feet? This may be your fix.
- Thread starter LandCruiserPhil
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- Thread starter
- #102
My OEM seal is still good after 3 years of AZ heat. With that said I would strongly consider the bearing option when the time comes again.
Drove to Steamboat wearing sandals and noticed my feet were getting hot. Searched on MUD, found this thread, and then found that my seal is toast. God I love this site.
I peeled my cat-flap back a week or so ago thanks to this thread, and found my seal was toast.
I ordered the Bryke part, the bearing retainer had to be reduced in size but 10mins with the angle grinder followed by the flap-disc was a quick and easy fix. The bearing retainer doesn't sit flush against the firewall so longer bolts are required.
Since installation the steering feels a little smoother and quite a bit more solid.
Two thumbs up for a good mod / fix.
I ordered the Bryke part, the bearing retainer had to be reduced in size but 10mins with the angle grinder followed by the flap-disc was a quick and easy fix. The bearing retainer doesn't sit flush against the firewall so longer bolts are required.
Since installation the steering feels a little smoother and quite a bit more solid.
Two thumbs up for a good mod / fix.
- Thread starter
- #106
If the bearing does not seat flush to the firewall is there any mods needed to seal the bearing to the firewall?
Do you have photo of the grinder area? Just trying to get a grasp on what needs to be done to install. Seems pretty easy from the people that have posted.
Thanks to the original poster, Mr. LandCruiserPhil as well as everyone who chimed in... I just replaced my seal with a new one. Mine was toast and pretty sure the original. Now I just need to play around with the steering box to get it straight just like posted in the original. Always hurrying, it never ends.
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[QUOte cruiserPhil, post: 9294660, member: 2882"]If the bearing does not seat flush to the firewall is there any mods needed to seal the bearing to the firewall?[/QUOTE]
It doesnt sit flush because of a lip on the bearing retainer. The retainer snugs up against the firewall with the longer bolts. It still provides a seal though and will prevent hot air from entering the cab. I think.
It doesnt sit flush because of a lip on the bearing retainer. The retainer snugs up against the firewall with the longer bolts. It still provides a seal though and will prevent hot air from entering the cab. I think.
Mr Cimarron said:
No pics. It was pretty straightforward. The bearing retainer is a clamshell (front and back that pinch the bearing between them). I took the old seal and lay it on top of the retainer and traced it, then used the angle grinder to cut the shape out. Repeat for the back piece.
I then test-fitted the retainer and found it a nice fit, so I clamped the pieces together and took the flap disc to them to get a consistent size/shape and smooth edges. Once I had that it was a simple matter of reassemble.
I really need to do this.
Funny this thread should pop up. Ordered that deal today!
I installed the bearing today. It works but as others have said, minor obvious grinding is needed to make it fit. I think the benefits are negligible and it actually probably is a worse thermal seal than the oem option. Still, I prefer a bearing in that spot.
I still have mine sitting on the work bench waiting to be installed. I think it's the grinding along with my other more fun projects that make it take the back seat everyday. I just need to do it.
Great info. I just ordered the bearing from Bryke after confirming that there is in fact a gaping hole where the factory seal used to be. Hopefully no more sweaty feet for me. I used the promo code "racingjunk" (from: http://www.bryke.com/racingjunk.html) to save 5%.
Just did this! 
So did I, last night.
I put the bearing in this week. So far so good.
I decided to unbolt the plate from the firewall and enlarge the hole so that the bearing retainer tabs would sit all of the way flat. I also had to slightly enlarge the bearing so that the shaft would pass through. Initially I thought I had the wrong size bearing. I measured the opening with the micrometer and it was correct at .749 inches. I didn't measure it after I enlarged it. I just kept running the dremel with a grinding stone inside a little at a time. You can see in the pictures where the steering shaft flares out.
