Looking for tilt bearing source

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I need the two bearings that support the stub shaft on a tilt column and I have run into problems. When I ordered the bearings I received two upper bearings, no lower bearing and no inner races.

In looking into the problem, I find that GM serviced the bearings as follows:

1) Upper bearing was sold separately

2) Upper bearing inner race was sold separately

3) Lower bearing was sold with the tilt as part of the assembly

4) Lower bearing inner race was sold as part of the stub shaft assembly

GM does not offer any parts according to my local Chevy dealer who looked into this for me.

The bearings appear to be automotive only as I had my local Industrial bearing supplier look into the availability of a similiar
bearing

Has anyone run into an aftermarket supplier that sells the complete bearings, (with inner races)?

Jim

[gonebad2]

I once found a guy in New York. I'll see if I can find him again..

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Thanks,

Please make sure bearings are complete if you talk to him.

Jim

[neonlarry]

You might try this place http://www.columnsgalore.com/
I haven't dealt with them just found the site browsing.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Thanks,

I will give them a call.

Jim

[ljbear]

just ordered both upper bearings from Wes at Classis Heartbeat . The lower bearing (very bottom of the shaft) is still available in a kit from GM, part #3981935, but you only use the bearing. I'm pretty sure it would be cheaper to order just the bearing from Wes.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

ljbear,

I will check it out.

Thanks,

Jim

[JimKshortstep4x4]

I am still looking for a source for the tilt stub shaft bearings, the one bearing seems to be available but the one I need does not seem to be. There are two, an upper and a lower. I need the lower with the inner race. I am afraid as I said in the original post that they are not available, but I hope someone proves me wrong.

Please help!

Here is a pic with the inner races.

Jim

[BtnkBndt]

What is the ID. OD. and width. I have a couple of relatives that work for a bearing distributor. Are these the same as the van tilt?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

BtnkBndt,

Van tilt and truck tilt bearings are the same per GM's parts listing.
GM sourced the parts in a way that had the bearings separated from the inner race, (Note my first post).



Here are dimensions for the stub shaft bearings. Both bearings are angular contact bearings and they function as a preloaded pair so that there is no shake. They are ball bearings, (14 balls for the lower, 13 balls for the upper) and they have molded phonelic ball separators.

Upper bearing dimensions: (Stack height .366)

inner race, I.D. .745
inner race, Width .300
inner race, Stick out .044

outer race, O.D. 1.372
outer race width .322

Lower bearing dimensions: (Stack height .366)

inner race, I.D. 1.001
inner race, width .292
inner race, stick out .064

outer race, O.D. 1.567
outer race width .292

Mounting shaft dimensions:

upper bearing, shaft dia. .746

lower bearing, shaft dia. 1.006

Here is a pic of the stub shaft for reference.

Any help will be appreciated!

Jim

[JimKshortstep4x4]

TTT

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Still looking for a source.

Jim

[gonebad2]

Sorry, but I could not find the website for the place in New York. I did the google search and looked for about 45 minutes. There is a guy that rebuilds columns and sells them on ebay. I will look there tonight and see if I can find him. Brothers in Southern Cali advertises upper and lower tilt column bearings in their catalog. Have you tried them?

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Gonebad2,

The ones they have is what everyone else has. The lower one that they have is the one located at the bottom end where the shaft sticks out. That particular bearing is the same for tilts and non-tilts.

The upper one is the small bearing like the photo and is the right one, but getting the inner race is the problem as no one has them.

I don't think that any of the vendors have a listing of the one that I really need. I still believe the problem goes back to how GM sourced the parts, (which I described earlier).

Thanks for trying!

Jim

[JimKshortstep4x4]

TTT

[ljbear]

Jim,

I just received my tilt bearings today. They are a percect match for what I had. No races, just bearings, but the old races fit great on the new bearing.

Upper
Thickness is .329" +/-
OD is 1.374" +/-
13 bearings

Lower
Thickness is .290" +/-
O.D. is 1.567" +/-
14 bearings

Keep in mind I'm not a machinist, and I'm measuring with a dial indicator, so the results may be off a little. The one thing I know for sure is the fit. Give Wes a call he can set you up.

[JimKshortstep4x4]

Ljbear,

Thanks for the update. I have been corresponding with Wes and he is looking into getting the inner races that are needed.

Hopefully the inners are available.

The inners for these bearings are not full hard like normal bearing hardness which is Rc 60-61, so I have been looking at the possibility of hard machining the right stock to make some.

I still believe that someone is making these parts. I believe that Saginaw steering made the bearings or subbed them out, but I don't have any contacts and that would be needed.

Jim