GEM Early B Steering Column install...

I promised Gerry when he sent this column to me that I would post up my results so here goes. Gerry decided to help us early column guys out and rebush them as well. On top of that, Gerry wouldn't accept any money for it at all. I'm going to send him some old columns for him to have in stock though.

I've been on spring break this week and I finally got around to installing it in my typical 2 or 3 months too late fashion. I am very pleased with it! I can't really pin it down but overall the whole process of steering is a much nicer feeling. There is less slop and it feels more solid overall. Hard for me to describe it. Could I have gotten away without replacing it? Of course, but I am glad that I did it because it is definitely an improvement.

I don't know if any other people have installed these yet, but I did have to modify the upper bushing on mine, so I thought I'd post it up for others, plus Gerry asked to see it.

Here is a picture of an original upper bushing in my column. You can see where it was worn if you look closely:





And Gerry's new one:





You see how the new bushing had the collar on it? Well, after fitting it up, that gets in the way of the turn signal switch/canceller thingie (technical term). So for you guys that haven't installed them yet, here is how I solved it:





Took me all of a couple minutes with a knife. Put it all back together and its good to go. It isn't perfectly flush in these pictures but it is close enough.





If you've already gotten a column from Gerry for an early car and haven't installed it, this may save you a couple minutes of frustration, plus now I feel really important for making a long post with pictures..

Wow James, it makes me look at you under a whole new light! Maybe we're not sworn enemies after all! There's some useful dialogue in place of all the hateful BS from you! Keep it up! :D

Shawn

Wow Shawnie.. You thought we were sworn enemies?

You take mindless internet chatter way too seriously. You should get out more.

Good stuff, GEM bushings are in my '68's column, good to know he's expanding the range.

This is good to know as it will be a long time before I install the column that Gerry did for me....

Thanks James!

Looks really sweet James- I contacted Gerry to get one but he wasn't in production yet- still, he got right back to me. Great guy and does excellent work. I ended up ordering one from Moss- pretty disappointed by how flimsy it is in comparison. When mine needs replacing again, maybe Gerry will have some available!

Excellent! Gerry comes through again!!! Great pics too!

Thank you, James! The bad thing about trying to do prototype work without having a car to try a new design out in. Changes are noted and will be reflected in future early columns. As I understand the problem the turn signal reset screw/locknut was dragging on the new bushing, correct? New bushings will be shorter.

That's the kind of feedback I need from anyone who tries my products. I'd rather have someone chew my but out about bad design than just keep his mouth shut out of politeness. I want everyone that buys/uses a GEM item to be 100% happy. It's that important to me.

Thanks again, James!

Gerry,
Your work reflects your attention to detail and your desire to produce 100% satisfaction. The Air Filter end cap set you sent me years ago was well thought out, fit perfectly, and has been a source of pride for me as well as you. I only wish you had had a GEM logo to attach to them, as I have had many many folks ask where I had gotten them. I tell them, but I now tell them that you have many other products and refer them to your site.

Whether it is your stuff or Jeff's distributors, or anyone else's truly fine products I have on my car, I make sure that there is a sticker of theirs (if available) on my car to let others know where they can get the best quality products and services out there. The exposure you have gotten just on this BBS has, I am sure, been very beneficial to your business, and I would imagine that anyone who has gotten your parts has done as I have to spread the word. Thanks for having the entrepreneurial spirit and the skill to DO what you know needs to be done for your fellow hobbyists. People like James will be your best advertising.

Gerry Wrote:

Bob, Thank you for the kind words. As I'm sure you already know, I do no advertising. The only advertising I get comes from satisfied or dissatisfied customers. GEM Ent was never meant to be a real business, rather a way to help others while coming close to making ends meet. because of this motive, I'd rather keep the business small and do everything I can do to keep the quality to my desired level that hire someone else to do the work and lose site of the results. it's bad enough when I screw up an order, which has happened a few times recently, but it would be worse if I hired someone and they did what I should have been taking care of instead.

Thanks to all of you who have purchased my products and passed the word onto others. To be honest, I never figured that I would be where I am today with the numbers of bushing kits, hood releases and packing strip kits sold.

There is something to be said about the people in the family who make their products available to others for a reasonable price. Without these people, the family of MG'rs would truly not be the same. These folks need a round of applause and a tip of the cap!

Gerry, have you got a webpage up yet? I'd like to link you on our club website, by all accounts you do outstanding work and a great service to the MG community.

Cheers,
Scott

Scott, here's the link to Gerry's website. I've installed his hood release, and have some very nicely made packing strips to go in when I do my new carpet install. Gerry does quality work and is a gentleman to boot!

http://www.gem-enterprises.net/index.html

And yes you want to use a very sharp knife if you need to remove that collar....Those bushings are made with a very thick material!

I have said this before - but it is worth repeating. Gerry's column bushings are one of the best upgrades/repairs you can do to an MGB. They completely change the "feel" of the steering - it feels tight and precise with the new bushings. If you even think your old bushings/bearings are worn, try Gerry's upgrade - worth every penny!