Where do I get a small, thin, grippy rubber sheet?

[FastKat]

Wow that's a weird title... let me explain!

On my car, I have a steel tube that houses my steering shaft. The steel tube goes from the firewall to the steering wheel. Just behind the steering wheel, there is a plastic collar that tightens down around the steel tube. The plastic collar is supposed to be tightened, and as a result fixed, to the steering wheel. However, after fully tightening, the collar will spin on the steel tube. This is frustrating because my turn signals are attached to the collar. That means, every time I try to put the turn signal on, the collar moves and the turn signal stalk does not engage.

So.....

I want to put something non-permanent between the plastic collar and the steel tube. I was thinking some sort of grippy rubber sheet that I can cut into a strip and slide in between the collar and the steel tube. Any suggestions?

BTW, I do not want to take the collar off completely. That would require taking the steering wheel off, and I don't want to do that. I'd rather have something that I can slide in between the collar and the steel tube without taking the collar off.

 

[USMCdodge]

not 100% on what your looking for but im going to say home depot.

 

[malibu101]

Hobby stores have some real interesting odd little stuff for modelers and such.

I always have piece of rubber roofing around that has helped me out many times. It's a bit thicker and stronger than an inner tube.

 

[metaleltr]

Check the plumbing department for little red squares of gasket material.

 

[Brian_B_]

cut up an inner tube?

 

[5lima30]

Try flat surgical tubing (like they use around your arm when they take blood). It is also very handy around the house for tight jar lids, etc.

 

[magova1104]

Maybe VELCRO (negative side)? Also, HD carries a large variety of rubber pads with stick side in several thickness,they are located where the chair leg tips are.

 

[dwp99]

X2 on the inner tube. Cut one up, wrap it around the column and install the plastic collar.

 

[FastKat]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I was thinking of something like this - I haven't seen it in years but I'm sure it's still out there somewhere.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-cheap-portable-laptop-standcooler/step7/Cut-Grippy-Pad-Sheet/

The surgical tube sounds like a great idea. So does the cut-up inner tube. I don't have either of those things on hand, but I do have a piece of unlined heat shrink tubing (no adhesive.) Maybe that will work? I guess I can always poke around Home Depot for something similar.

 

[Brian_B_]

That pic on instructibles looks like kitchen drawer liner.

 

[FrankieD]

Maybe you could try a piece of sand paper?

 

[sselander]

dashboard sticky pad for the smartphones would work,
HF sells them:

http://www.harborfreight.com/sticky-pad-98033.html

Old bicycle tube would also work.

 

[RECox286]

jar lid removal pad from a kitchen store

Uncle Bob

 

[miketyler]

I think hardware store or hobby supplywill have precut rubber sheet, usually 1/8" thick. If you need thinner, I found some stuff at home depot. It's grey colored and issued as moisture barrier membrane for showers. It's on a large roll and is about .040 or thinner and is found right by the steel pipe threader tool. When I asked about cost, they just cut me off a running foot and gave it to me.

 

[BD1]

Hi, would this work ? Armaflex tape.
http://www.homedepot.com/buy/plumbi...-x-30-in-r-1-foam-insulation-tape-153843.html

 

[machine_punk]

X1 on the inner tube...I seem to have a steady supply of these. I'd don't know what they ride their bikes through...I don't remember popping tires that often.

 

[Steevo]

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I guess I was thinking of something like this - I haven't seen it in years but I'm sure it's still out there somewhere.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Simple-cheap-portable-laptop-standcooler/step7/Cut-Grippy-Pad-Sheet/

The surgical tube sounds like a great idea. So does the cut-up inner tube. I don't have either of those things on hand, but I do have a piece of unlined heat shrink tubing (no adhesive.) Maybe that will work? I guess I can always poke around Home Depot for something similar.

What you have pictured is simply shelf liner.

I have a roll of it in my pantry.

 

[machine_punk]

It would be sort of a waste, but you can get a kid's bike inner tube at most superstores for a few bucks. You won't believe how easily it deals with the problem you are having.

Post pics.

M_P

 

[Steroblan]

For a clean look you can buy brass shim material in a roll in many different thicknesses. It comes in a container like a small coffee can. You just cut to fit. It will compress to the shape and hold firm. MSC or McMaster Carr have it.

 

[BigAl62]

I also say inner tube. I've used cut up inner tubes for all sorts of uses and it holds up quite well. Depending on the diameter of the shaft, use bicycle or motorcycle tubes slit length wise and cut to size.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I always have piece of rubber roofing around that has helped me out many times. It's a bit thicker and stronger than an inner tube.

I kept the scraps of rubber roofing left over from when I had my back porch roof re-done, it comes in handy for all sorts of uses.