Plastic on Bluebird Bus steering column

[ChurchBuz]

Help, any idea what kind of plastic this thimble is made of?

I’m going to patch/repair it, and I can do a better job if I know what material it is.

It is an injection molded part. Black plastic.

Does anyone happen to know?

The second pic is of the rubber boot that goes over it.

[Dbacks2k4]

No idea on the plastic type, but if it were me I'd call a bluebird dealer with your Vin and get the part number, then search ebay for new old stock. Might be easier and cheaper to get a replacement than try to repair that one.

Unless of course, you're more into the adventure of the project... in which case, just tune me out

Edit - getting original part number may allow you to research it and get insight into the material from manufacturer?

[Rwnielsen]

It looks like you would have to remove the steering column to change it. I'd be inclined to maybe try a little ABS cement on it first. It's a solvent type adhesive so it will either work well or not at all.

[ChurchBuz]

Thanks guys: I would have had to do a ton of work to replace it.

I used a JBWeld plastic putty. I put wax paper down and filled in what was missing.

Couple drawbacs:
white instead of black, and you can see part of it.

Some of one of the parts was hardened and made mixing difficult.

Gets all over your hands. Wear gloves!

Otherwise it worked like a champ.

[Rwnielsen]

The first step in using any adhesive, tar, cement, paint etc. is to first smear some on your pants and shirt. It saves time.

[Veloc]

JB Weld is paintable, and for plastic SEM plastic dye is outstanding. Clean well with 91 percent rubbing alcohol before applying, and many very light coats is better than a heavier coat. I used this on plastic speaker parts to color match to a car, and the parts I did not use went into my nuts and bolts bin. After a few years of abuse in the bin from searching out nuts and bolts, the dye never came off.

[ChurchBuz]

Originally Posted by Veloc

JB Weld is paintable, and for plastic SEM plastic dye is outstanding. Clean well with 91 percent rubbing alcohol before applying, and many very light coats is better than a heavier coat. I used this on plastic speaker parts to color match to a car, and the parts I did not use went into my nuts and bolts bin. After a few years of abuse in the bin from searching out nuts and bolts, the dye never came off.

Great to know!

Thank you!