Lower steering column bearing installation

[trkfrmr]

Anyone have any suggestions on lower column bearing installation on my 68?Is it pressed in and what do I need to do replace it?
Thanks.

[RodnRudy]

I've got the same problem so I'm subscribed.

[sduckworth13]

It's pretty easy actually. Remove the column from the truck. Once the steering wheel is off, slide the whole housing up off the steering shaft. The lower bearing will slide right off. Take pictures so everything gets put back together the way it came off.

[sduckworth13]

Here is a picture.

[sduckworth13]

Another one.

[sduckworth13]

#3

[sduckworth13]

#4

[sduckworth13]

#5 I already had the intermediate shaft off that's why I showed you the reverse order from how I told you it can be removed...which is less work. Grease your bearings before you put it back together if you have some handy.

[sduckworth13]

I just took these pictures tonight when I read your thread. Good luck.

[Gromit]

Thank you Mr Duckworth for taking the time to support us all on this board and to photograph and post those photos - this is the first time I've seen photos of the steering column detailed enough that I could follow the entire assembly.

The GM parts manual diagrams are terrible in this area - for example the GM Partswiki will just show a circle-shaped line to try and denote each part - and for me it has not been enough - I couldn't tell if it was a metal, rubber, plastic or pot-metal part and trying to figure out what the profile was - good luck.

So thanks again for your efforts on behalf of the community - (Your photos helped me anyway)..

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by Gromit

Thank you Mr Duckworth for taking the time to support us all on this board and to photograph and post those photos - this is the first time I've seen photos of the steering column detailed enough that I could follow the entire assembly.

The GM parts manual diagrams are terrible in this area - for example the GM Partswiki will just show a circle-shaped line to try and denote each part - and for me it has not been enough - I couldn't tell if it was a metal, rubber, plastic or pot-metal part and trying to figure out what the profile was - good luck.

So thanks again for your efforts on behalf of the community - (Your photos helped me anyway)..

Your welcome, glad I could help. I just happened to have just removed that column and put a automatic tilt column in tonight.

[trkfrmr]

Thanks to sduckworth13!I really appreciate the reply.

[jocko]

Good info - thanks for sharing Scott. Have never done this and need to. Now how about some upper bearing pics while you're at it

[sduckworth13]

Originally Posted by trkfrmr

Thanks to sduckworth13!I really appreciate the reply.

Originally Posted by jocko

Good info - thanks for sharing Scott. Have never done this and need to. Now how about some upper bearing pics while you're at it

Your welcome guys. I have already got rid of the column in the picture. The top bearing is pretty easy, you'll see it when you pull the steering wheel off.

[KSCHEVYUP]

Where did you purchase the replacement bearings?
Ron

[chiefcfd]

I ordered mine from Classic Heartbeat. It was a Genuine GM Part.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

I just took these pictures tonight when I read your thread. Good luck.

sduckworth13, the thick washer does not go in the order/location as shown in your pictures, the washer sits directly against the intermediate shafts upper clamp with the spring placed between the washer and lower bearing like this. Mel

[sduckworth13]

Thank you Mel. I had taken the column apart and then put it back together for pictures for this thread.

[Classic Bowties]

Originally Posted by sduckworth13

Thank you Mel. I had taken the column apart and then put it back together for pictures for this thread.

No problem, just wanted to make that correction before too many referenced the added pictures and put stuff back together in the wrong order. Mel

[Possmguts]

Bringing this one back to life with a question..
Trying to pull the auto column shift column apart and get rid of the parts for the column shift. (I have a floor shift) I will grind off, patch and fill the holes that was used for the shift lever, repaint and use this column if this can be done.. I have it apart to the point where I need to get the upper part where the shift lever used to be loose from the inner tube connecting the linkage at the bottom.. (the arms that connect the trans linkage)... what the heck is holding that inner tube to that piece?? or better yet.. just the linkage arms at the bottom...

I will also need to replace the top and bottom bearings...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Possmguts

Bringing this one back to life with a question..
Trying to pull the auto column shift column apart and get rid of the parts for the column shift. (I have a floor shift) I will grind off, patch and fill the holes that was used for the shift lever, repaint and use this column if this can be done.. I have it apart to the point where I need to get the upper part where the shift lever used to be loose from the inner tube connecting the linkage at the bottom.. (the arms that connect the trans linkage)... what the heck is holding that inner tube to that piece?? or better yet.. just the linkage arms at the bottom...

I will also need to replace the top and bottom bearings...

I removed the shifter boss and indicator by hacksawing and grinding, cutting a couple of pieces of thin sheet metal that fit tight in the openings, and JB welding them in. Be sure to slip a thin piece of cardboard down inside the collar to keep any JB Weld out of the inside of the housing. I wish I had taken more pictures.

The arm on the bottom of the shift tube is welded to the shift tube so you will have to cut it off or remove the shift tube. The shift tube has to be pulled out from the bottom.

[Possmguts]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I removed the shifter boss and indicator by hacksawing and grinding, cutting a couple of pieces of thin sheet metal that fit tight in the openings, and JB welding them in. Be sure to slip a thin piece of cardboard down inside the collar to keep any JB Weld out of the inside of the housing. I wish I had taken more pictures.

The arm on the bottom of the shift tube is welded to the shift tube so you will have to cut it off or remove the shift tube. The shift tube has to be pulled out from the bottom.

The shift tube is connected somehow to the top somewhere? I guess I could just cut the arm off and leave the tube in there right?

Thanks!, I would like to have tilt but Im trying to save bucks for other things right now.. I can always swap out the column later on, but while I have it I would like it to look like it should...

[raggedjim]

Some extra info on these columns that might be useful.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=683346

Rg

[brian1971]

subscribed for future use.

[Richard2112]

This is a great thread and is about to come in very handy. I assume from the pictures (thanks sduckworth13) that the ball bearings can be put into the race and reassembled? I have a variety of different size ball bearings and not certain which size it uses.

As I begin my disassembly, I see no ball bearings but they might be caught up inside the race, stuck with grease. I doubt it though as there appears to be no grease in the race. I haven't removed the column (yet) but shifted it enough the get a look at the lower bearing race while it is still on the truck.

I'll see if I can find a ball.