Is this Lunar Lander thruster missing a part?

[greedycrisp]

I'm rebuilding a Lunar Lander thruster. There's a rubber bushing on one of the cross-pins and its all chewed up, see image below.

I'm not seeing this part in the LL manual. Or, if this supposed to be a 'Neoprene stop', there's supposed to be two of them.

Is this part original, and if so is there a replacement part someone can point me at? Are there supposed to be two, one on the front pin as well? Or is this a non-original fix someone installed?

 

[GORFguyOhio]

Interesting. Yours looks different compared to other originals and recent repro versions.
Is your missing the springs? Looks like only one stop on both old and new.
The repro ones look like they are using a smaller sized neoprene stop.

 

[greedycrisp]

Mine is already partially torn down already in that pic, the springs and the top cross rods have been removed. When complete it looks like the first picture you posted above, I assume an original.

The repro in the second pic shows two bushings aka 'neoprene stops.' I cant quite see the second stop in your first pic but I'll assume its there since the manual states a quantity of two.

If anyone has a replacement part number or source for the stop it would be helpful, otherwise I'll dig around at the hardware store for something suitable.

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Mine is already partially torn down already in that pic, the springs and the top cross rods have been removed. When complete it looks like the first picture you posted above, I assume an original.

The repro in the second pic shows two bushings aka 'neoprene stops.' I cant quite see the second stop in your first pic but I'll assume its there since the manual states a quantity of two.

If anyone has a replacement part number or source for the stop it would be helpful, otherwise I'll dig around at the hardware store for something suitable.

I have a Takeman Repro and an original - want me to get pictures?

 

[greedycrisp]

No need, Ill just get two of the stops. If it restricts the movement too much I'll just use one but I think two is right.

Just looking for a source now.

 

[greedycrisp]

Looks like the original parts were neoprene. Hard neoprene has a durometer rating of 70A, soft is 60A.

How about a 'tygon' tube with durometer of 60A? This is the stuff they use on bunsen burners, but here its 5/16" ID, 13/16" OD, walls are 1/4 inch. $17 for two feet.

Ill cut it to size and sell it here at $10 for two, 3/4 inch pieces. Make a million.

 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Looks like the original parts were neoprene. Hard neoprene has a durometer rating of 70A, soft is 60A.

How about a 'tygon' tube with durometer of 60A? This is the stuff they use on bunsen burners, but here its 5/16" ID, 13/16" OD, walls are 1/4 inch. $17 for two feet.

Ill cut it to size and sell it here at $10 for two, 3/4 inch pieces. Make a million.

No to Tygon. It gets sticky over time.

You'd be better off with Fuel Hose or Rubber hose.

 

[SaminVA]

All the info you need should be in this old post
https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=177175&highlight=lunar+lander+bumpers

 

[andrewb]

All the info you need should be in this old post
https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=177175&highlight=lunar+lander+bumpers

This is why this forum is awesome.

 

[DarrenF]

All the info you need should be in this old post
https://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=177175&highlight=lunar+lander+bumpers

Thanks for posting that. I was just starting to search through McMaster again... and had I no recollection whatsoever of having already found this a dozen years ago.

 

[greedycrisp]

@SaminVA @DarrenF , thanks. I dont know why my search didn't turn that up yesterday.

I ordered the part from McMaster ( now $5.11 versus the $2.16 back in 2011 ) and should have it later today to try out.

 

[greedycrisp]

Hose fits perfectly, thanks for the part no. I may replace the springs while i'm in here...

 

[greedycrisp]

Rebuilt the thruster, replaced the springs. Yes, springs are same dimensions, they're just stretched more because the neoprene bushing that had disintegrated is now replaced. And yes, I greased it more after the photo.



Cleaning everything up.

 

[greedycrisp]

Original bolts reoxidized

 

[DarrenF]

Looks nice. Did you set up all the buckets/baths and electro-deposit rig to do the black oxide coating on them yourself?

 

[greedycrisp]

Cleaned and polished tops with wire-brush on a drill press, then Caswell Black Oxide kit ( https://caswellplating.com/black-oxide-kit-1-25-gal.html ) then a urethane spray sealer.

So bucket\baths but no electro-deposit. The Casewell stuff worked well in this case, it does take multiple baths to get a good finish and its very picky about having a clean substrate.

 

[vintagegamer]

This is why this forum is awesome.

Amen.