SMALL U-JOINTS USED IN THE STEERING AND SHIFT LINKAGE FINALLY FOUND IN ENGLAND.
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Everyone should know that the shift linkage and the steering system each have very small needle bearing u-joints. I searched the internet on and off for over two years and was unable to find these critical parts. Finally reading about a Mangusta in England which had steering work done on it I had success.
If the joints could be found then the new trunions could be installed in the existing welded on u-joint cages, restoring the system to new performance.
The English Mangusta information led me to Roger Brotton at THREE POINT FOUR, a deTomaso and Jaguar specialty repair shop in England. He has now supplied me with two joints to rebuild my steering linkage.
My car has 59,000 miles now and new joints for both systems was very necessary. The new joints
also have needle bearings and each has a grease fitting on two of the bearing caps.
Roger is a very astute and experienced mechanic who uses sophisticated equipment not expected in a restoration facility. His diagnostics are impressive and he is currently restoring a Mangusta in his shop.
I encourage everyone to get these joints while they are available. The joints are pricey but if I had found them before re-doing my shift linkage with good American joints I would have saved over $400.00. Because I did not have the replacement joints I had to essentially create a new linkage system around available Borgeson joints that are also expensive. (See my information about rebuilding the shift linkage on this site).
Roger is now searching for the rubber boots( bellows), that are on the steering rack for me as I have had no look finding them.
It is very possible that Roger can be a mechanical repair parts source for other parts but it appears that the steering shaft with its odd size steering wheel lock-nut and small u-joints is from England.
Here is Rogers contact information:
ROGER BROTTON
THREE POINT FOUR
UNIT F BURTON ROAD BUSINESS PARK
MUNK BRETTON, BARNSLEY
SOUTH YORKSHIRE. S71 5RN. UK
TEL. 01226 719443
FAX. 01226 719443
E-MAIL: info@threepointfour.co.uk
WEBB-SITE: WWW.threepoinjtfour.co.uk
I found him to be very generous with his experience and very good to do business with. He is also a friend of Mike Drew who also was helpful in my successful venture.
DICK RUZZIN
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