Aftermarket Steering Block

[CANPWER]

I ahve been reading a ton of fixing the steering slop. I was planing to go with the OFT Racing steering block, but now their site says that their store is closed. Are they any different options?

Thanks

 

[cannondale27]

Oh that sucks!

 

[Yamajon1]

Ya my OFT upper steering block is one of my favorite upgrades on the Viper.

 

[CANPWER]

Yea it does suck. I was getting ready to order one too.
I am guessing there are no other option other than stock crap?

 

[2008lee]

You can build your own out of a nylon block. That is what I did and it has held up well for two seasons.

 

[CANPWER]

You can build your own out of a nylon block. That is what I did and it has held up well for two seasons.

That's an idea. did you just replace the whole unit?

 

[snowfever27]

You can try and contact OFT through Facebook. They may have some left over they would send you. They have a phone listed on their Facebook page. Maybe they’re just having a new webpage built.
907-306-2025 is the number they have listed. I’m glad I bought one last year, it’s a great piece. Reach out to them, it’s worth a shot.

 

[2008lee]

That's an idea. did you just replace the whole unit?

Yes I think I just copied the original block. I know I it is tighter and has more surface to work on.

 

[CANPWER]

You can try and contact OFT through Facebook. They may have some left over they would send you. They have a phone listed on their Facebook page. Maybe they’re just having a new webpage built.
907-306-2025 is the number they have listed. I’m glad I bought one last year, it’s a great piece. Reach out to them, it’s worth a shot.

Thank you for the information.

 

[Snowmixer]

It's always unfortunate to find that someone has stopped making or is no longer selling a highly useful product, but on the other hand, it kind of opens up an opportunity for someone else to step in and offer another solution. My guess is that if OFT does not produce or sell any more steering blocks for the Phazer, someone else eventually will. The loose/sloppy steering feel is a part of the Phazer that is just too annoying to too many people, in my opinion.

I would have bought one of their blocks several years ago, but decided to try to improve the existing block instead. I re-machined the steering shaft to square up the welded flanges (and make to a consistent size the area of the shaft where the block sits), then re-machined the stock plastic block to accept a greased split bushing that I machined specifically to fit the 'new' finished size of the steering shaft. The steel spacer/standoffs were replaced with aluminum, steel plates were replaced with carbon fiber and the steel studs were replaced with titanium bolts. I completely removed the bendable metal tab plate and just drilled/safety wired the acorn nuts instead.

The end result was that there is VERY little up-down and side to side movement now, and rotation is smooth as glass. Lastly, the new block assembly is 1.4 ounces lighter than the original. I know, not much, but in my opinion "every ounce counts" when you're trying to lighten something. Obviously this is not the easiest solution, but shows that there's more than one way to improve the loose steering shaft feel.

 

[cannondale27]

It's always unfortunate to find that someone has stopped making or is no longer selling a highly useful product, but on the other hand, it kind of opens up an opportunity for someone else to step in and offer another solution. My guess is that if OFT does not produce or sell any more steering blocks for the Phazer, someone else eventually will. The loose/sloppy steering feel is a part of the Phazer that is just too annoying to too many people, in my opinion.

I would have bought one of their blocks several years ago, but decided to try to improve the existing block instead. I re-machined the steering shaft to square up the welded flanges (and make to a consistent size the area of the shaft where the block sits), then re-machined the stock plastic block to accept a greased split bushing that I machined specifically to fit the 'new' finished size of the steering shaft. The steel spacer/standoffs were replaced with aluminum, steel plates were replaced with carbon fiber and the steel studs were replaced with titanium bolts. I completely removed the bendable metal tab plate and just drilled/safety wired the acorn nuts instead.

The end result was that there is VERY little up-down and side to side movement now, and rotation is smooth as glass. Lastly, the new block assembly is 1.4 ounces lighter than the original. I know, not much, but in my opinion "every ounce counts" when you're trying to lighten something. Obviously this is not the easiest solution, but shows that there's more than one way to improve the loose steering shaft feel.

View attachment 149027 View attachment 149028 View attachment 149029

Wow well done!

 

[blueironranger]

Just when I was looking to get blocks for the Phazer and the Viper. I finally need to replace the Inner Tierods and I was going to do a block at the same time. Days are getting shorter, time to start working on the sleds!

 

[CANPWER]

So it appears that OFT is back up and running.

 

[Yamajon1]

That’s good news.