Rebuilding Steering Column...need help with shopping list

[saxart]

I'm rebuilding the non-tilt (floor shift) column in my 1970 C-10 and need to know what to replace while it's apart. The top and bottom bearings are toast, so I know those are on the list. Also the chrome turn signal lever is heavily rusted, so that's going to get changed out as well.

What else should I be swapping? Turn signal canceling cam?

Anything else?

[LockDoc]

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Is the turn signal switch cracked where the lever screws into it? If so I would replace that. If the cancelling cam doesn't show much wear where the springs rub on it and the springs look good I don't think I would replace them. Other than that there isn't much to go wrong with a floor shift column.

LockDoc

[saxart]

Thanks for the reply LockDoc. Here are some pics, since we all love pics.



As mentioned, the bearings are dry and toasty!



The turn signal switch doesn't look cracked, but isn't it just a matter of time?



Thanks guys, I appreciate the thoughts!

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by saxart

Thanks for the reply LockDoc. Here are some pics, since we all love pics.

As mentioned, the bearings are dry and toasty!

The turn signal switch doesn't look cracked, but isn't it just a matter of time?

Thanks guys, I appreciate the thoughts!

The bearings are pretty reasonable in price. If you remove the turn signal lever screw and lever, the plastic tends to crack under there on the outside edge. As far as a matter of time who knows. They crack because of no lubrication and pulling or pushing too hard on the lever. That will have to be your call. The rest of it looks pretty good, just give it a good cleaning and re-lube all of the moving parts.

LockDoc

[bs46488]

I just rebuilt my column. I replaced everything on it.

Just a heads up, the upper bearing was back-ordered and I ended up waiting 3 weeks for it to arrive.

[Linkman440]

This is the AC-Delco part # for the lower bearing . I just had to replace mine

[saxart]

Linkman-
Thanks for the part number. Where did you get that....dealer?

[saxart]

Thinking of getting this turn signal switch. It appears to have an original looking hazard switch on it. Thoughts?

http://www.classicparts.com/1967-72-.../#.WNBO9vkrI2w

[Linkman440]

Saxart

I picked it up from h&h classic parts.
Great service so far

[mi396ss]

So the lower bearing in the picture is the correct one for 1970 column?

[randy500]

Your upper and lower bearings look fine, no need to replace them, just clean and pack with grease, its a crude bearing design anyway with stamped metal races. New bearing will not be substantially any better.

If your turn signal cam is not cracked under the lever then remove it and clean and lube it all up, should be fine too. They crack from age, climate, lack of lubrication and strong-arming. If its not already broke it probably wont if serviced.

[saxart]

Originally Posted by randy500

Your upper and lower bearings look fine, no need to replace them, just clean and pack with grease, its a crude bearing design anyway with stamped metal races. New bearing will not be substantially any better.

If your turn signal cam is not cracked under the lever then remove it and clean and lube it all up, should be fine too. They crack from age, climate, lack of lubrication and strong-arming. If its not already broke it probably wont if serviced.

Thanks for the thoughts Randy. My concern is that even if the bearings are not missing any balls, they've been rolling around (grinding) dry with no grease, but dirt and other crap in there. Something used to make a loud snapping or popping sound at certain times when you'd muscle the manual steering around, so I'm guessing something isn't "right" in one of them. (Bearings don't usually deal well with dust and dirt introduced to them.)

[randy500]

And that lower bearing is not missing any balls, they are manufactured that way loosely filled to reduce friction since there are no ball separators like high speed or high load bearing have.