So- what about the Tompkins device?

[drh6242]

Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100?

[Wim Jetten]

A few weeks ago on a long trip from Switzerland to Greece and back the steering became vague (2.500 km trip). The car started to wander. I simply adjusted the the play in the steering box with the Tompkins kit, jacking up the front of the cat and making sure the steering wasn t becoming too stiff (if it does then you have to steer back after a curve). Easy and fast. After that the car ran straight again with firm, but not heavy steering. I am very happy with the kit. This was the first adjustment in 6 years and 25.000 km since I fitted the Tompkins kit. Just before leaving for this trip I fitted Torrington needle thrust bearings, instead of the bronze thrust bearings, on the front hubs immediately prior to the car starting to wander about. I have a strong feeling that the needle thrust bearings did actually cause the wandering (lighter steering) Any comments by anyone on that point. overall I am quite happy with the whole set up now, because overall I have firmer, more precise steering, with less play in the steering box now. Best regards, Wim Jetten TC 2399

----- Original Message ----- From: "drh6242" dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 4:30 PM Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[Peter Roberts]

Your experience with needle bearings in the front hubs is not unique. They seem to create a looseness, rather than the smoothness you expected. More than one person has gone back the bronze washers. I guess its just too much of a good thing. _Peter

----- Original Message ----- From: "Wim Jetten" jetten@bluewin.ch> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>; "drh6242" dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 3:55 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > A few weeks ago on a long trip from Switzerland to Greece and back the > steering became vague (2.500 km trip). The car started to wander. I simply > adjusted the the play in the steering box with the Tompkins kit, jacking > up > the front of the cat and making sure the steering wasn t becoming too > stiff > (if it does then you have to steer back after a curve). Easy and fast. > After that the car ran straight again with firm, but not heavy steering. I > am very happy with the kit. > This was the first adjustment in 6 years and 25.000 km since I fitted the > Tompkins kit. Just before leaving for this trip I fitted Torrington needle > thrust bearings, instead of the bronze thrust bearings, on the front hubs > immediately prior to the car starting to wander about. I have a strong > feeling that the needle thrust bearings did actually cause the wandering > (lighter steering) Any comments by anyone on that point. overall I am > quite > happy with the whole set up now, because overall I have firmer, more > precise > steering, with less play in the steering box now. > > > Best regards, > > > Wim Jetten > > TC 2399 > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "drh6242" dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 4:30 PM > Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > >> Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? >> >> >> >> >> >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

[Maurice Paton]

I fitted one to my TC last year. Did it make a difference? Not really. The only benefit I can see is the possible reduction in friction afforded by the roller thrust bearing (and the fact that it looks pretty!). The supposed advantage of being able to adjust the clearance between the sector shaft and the top plate on the fly without using shims is rather negated by the fact that this clearance should really be set-up with the steering box out of the car. I am afraid the only way to improve the steering in a TC is to make sure EVERY component of the steering system is in good order. A tiny amount of play in all the joints adds up to a LOT of play at the steering wheel. Maurice TC9357 -----Original Message----- From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of drh6242 Sent: Friday, 3 June 2005 2:31 a.m. To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? Yahoo! Groups Links

[1939mgtb]

I like mine, but I went whole hog and used the bearings and modern bottom seal, etc. No more leaks, and it handles like a -more- modern car. Best, Ray "Much can be achieved with a smile. However, much more can be achieved with a smile and a gun."

----- Original Message ----- From: "Maurice Paton" maurice.paton@wam.co.nz> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 3:36 PM Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > > I fitted one to my TC last year. Did it make a difference? Not really. > The only benefit I can see is the possible reduction in friction > afforded by the roller thrust bearing (and the fact that it looks > pretty!). The supposed advantage of being able to adjust the clearance > between the sector shaft and the top plate on the fly without using > shims is rather negated by the fact that this clearance should really be > set-up with the steering box out of the car. I am afraid the only way to > improve the steering in a TC is to make sure EVERY component of the > steering system is in good order. A tiny amount of play in all the > joints adds up to a LOT of play at the steering wheel. > > Maurice TC9357 > > -----Original Message----- > From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > Of drh6242 > Sent: Friday, 3 June 2005 2:31 a.m. > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

[fnitz]

I did the same thing and am quite happy with the result. Fred TC1353 Scotts Valley, CA. -----Original Message----- From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of 1939mgtb Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 1:57 PM To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com; Maurice Paton Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? I like mine, but I went whole hog and used the bearings and modern bottom seal, etc. No more leaks, and it handles like a -more- modern car. Best, Ray "Much can be achieved with a smile. However, much more can be achieved with a smile and a gun."

----- Original Message ----- From: "Maurice Paton" maurice.paton@wam.co.nz> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 3:36 PM Subject: RE: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > > I fitted one to my TC last year. Did it make a difference? Not really. > The only benefit I can see is the possible reduction in friction > afforded by the roller thrust bearing (and the fact that it looks > pretty!). The supposed advantage of being able to adjust the clearance > between the sector shaft and the top plate on the fly without using > shims is rather negated by the fact that this clearance should really be > set-up with the steering box out of the car. I am afraid the only way to > improve the steering in a TC is to make sure EVERY component of the > steering system is in good order. A tiny amount of play in all the > joints adds up to a LOT of play at the steering wheel. > > Maurice TC9357 > > -----Original Message----- > From: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com [mailto:mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf > Of drh6242 > Sent: Friday, 3 June 2005 2:31 a.m. > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com > Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links

[David Lodge]

Hello Wim, If I jacked up the front of my cat I fear I wouldn't survive the experience! Regards, David Lodge ----- ORIGINAL MESSAGE ----- From: "Wim Jetten" jetten@bluewin.ch> To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com,"drh6242" dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? Date: 2.6.2005 - 21:55:56

> A few weeks ago on a long trip from Switzerland to > Greece and back the > steering became vague (2.500 km trip). The car started > to wander. I simply > adjusted the the play in the steering box with the > Tompkins kit, jacking up > the front of the cat and making sure the steering > wasn t becoming too stiff > (if it does then you have to steer back after a > curve). Easy and fast. > After that the car ran straight again with firm, but > not heavy steering. I > am very happy with the kit. > This was the first adjustment in 6 years and 25.000 km > since I fitted the > Tompkins kit. Just before leaving for this trip I > fitted Torrington needle > thrust bearings, instead of the bronze thrust bearings, > on the front hubs > immediately prior to the car starting to wander about. > I have a strong > feeling that the needle thrust bearings did actually > cause the wandering > (lighter steering) Any comments by anyone on that > point. overall I am quite > happy with the whole set up now, because overall I have > firmer, more precise > steering, with less play in the steering box now. > > > Best regards, > > > Wim Jetten > > TC 2399 > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "drh6242" dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> > To: mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com> > Sent: Thursday, June 02, 2005 4:30 PM > Subject: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > > > > Who's put one on, how do you like it? worth $100? > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > > >

[TMcNam4510@aol.com]

Does one simply tighten the lid not to tighten the steering? Does this effect steering wheel play? Tom, TC2850, disassembled. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Peter Roberts]

Tom, I"m not sure about your question. The Tompkins Kit replaces the lid of the steering box. It contains a screw mechanism that allows a infinitely variable load on the top of the sector shaft....thus, allowing you to adjust the fit of the sector peg in the worm. The worm has a groove that varies according to the position of the wheels, narrower at straight ahead and wider as you move to lock. Over time, the grove and the peg will wear producing slop in the steering. The Tompkins kit allows you to compensate for the wear. It does not provide a "magic cure" for sloppy steering. The amount of slop in a new peg/new worm is minimal and will not contribute to play at the steering wheel. Thus, a restored steering box does not need a Tompkins kit. Nevertheless, you will still get slop at the steering wheel if: 1. Your front end is not restored...king pins, thrust washers, ball/socket ends, etc. 2. Your front hubs are not restored to zero play 3. The splines on the wheels and hubs are worn 4. The sector peg is not centered in the worm 5. The sector shaft bushing is worn or ovaled 6. The wheels are out of true 7. The tires are worn 8. The axle is bent 9. Some PO put the axle on backwards 10. Some PO put the axle shims in backwards (like I did!) It goes on and on, and many are the opinions on each one of the causes and cures. _Peter

----- Original Message ----- From: TMcNam4510@aol.com> To: archie_ponsonby@post.cz>; jetten@bluewin.ch>; mg-tabc@yahoogroups.com>; dale.hamilton@med.va.gov> Sent: Friday, June 03, 2005 9:20 PM Subject: Re: [mg-tabc] So- what about the Tompkins device? > Does one simply tighten the lid not to tighten the steering? Does this > effect steering wheel play? Tom, TC2850, disassembled. > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > >

[TMcNam4510@aol.com]

hey group, thanks for all of the edification on the Tomkins kit. I rebuilt/replaced all of the running gear last winter and still had a little,( 5") of play on the steering wheel. BTW, yes the axle was in bacwards and the peg in the steering box had flat sides. Before I started the current motor/gearbox/body rebuild the car tracked fine but had that annoying free play. I'll adjust the Tomkins lid when I get the steering back together. Regards, Tom, TC 2850, disassembled [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]