Bearings for Steering Column

[Orion 762]

I have a '71 Cheyenne, and got into rewiring the steering column. Once apart, I noticed the old bearing are about shot (both bearings at top and bottom of column shaft).

Any hints on where to get new bearings? Autozone and O'Reilys can't "look these up", and the local Chevy parts shop only sells the "whole rebuild kit".

Just need the bearings. Are there "other year/models" that use the same bearings?

Any help is appreciated.

Orion 762

[70c10]

I tried to get a thread going for this awhile back. I wanted everybody to post there part numbers in one thread so we could all check there first but it didn't seem to catch on. Heres the link to the FAQ forum:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php3?t=98348

[rickspickuppart]

PM sent

Shawn

[Orion 762]

Thanks Jim. That link to part numbers worked, and my Chevy shop got them ordered today.

Neat Forum . . . and thanks for your help.

Orion 762

PS: Shawn has the parts in-stock as well (with good prices). I found this out "after" I'd ordered the bearing locally. Next time it's "****************" for me!

[silvertonguedevil]

How much work is it to put the bearings in the column? I've got a '71 non-tilt. There's some serious grinding going on in there when the steering wheel is turned. How long does it take? Are there any other parts needed? I saw on Rick's website that there are bearing retainers too.

[68jimmy]

It's not to difficult to do the swap, you just have to decide if you want to work with the column in or out of the truck. The upper bearing is fairly easy to get to once you remove the steering wheel and horn assembly. It's the lower one that would be tough. You need to seperate the column from the shaft that attache to the steering box. Once done the spring at the bottom holds the lower bearing in place. If you do decide to rebuild it would be easier to get at out of the truck, cause thne you can clean it up and then paint... Here are a couple of pics of a 72 column that I completley rebuilt that's going in my 68 gmc. Good luck!

[silvertonguedevil]

Hey! Wanna trade columns? Straight up?

[Orion 762]

On the "bearings install", took us about 2 hours and some busted knuckles (on a '71 Cheyenne, with an apparently all-original column).

The wheel itself and upper bearing came out easily, but the bottom bearing (inner race) was rust-frozen to the column shaft. We used a pully puller to get it off.

We left the original shaft in-situ, and just added new bearings. Wasn't aware of the "bearing retainers" unless they were parts stuck up inside the column housing. Just oiled it up good, added new bearings, then re-installed. Only real "glitch" was lining up the lower shaft to the steering "gear box" . . . it has two different size bolts and holes that only go on "one way". We ended up having to nibble away part of the wheel well liner to get enough clearance for working these bolts back in. It also took at least two people to do it . . . one under the hood and another in the driver seat to move the wheel and column.

BTW - we put "just the steering wheel" from an '86 Silverado (tilt column) on the '71 . . . fit was perfect, and the smaller steering wheel is much easier to use.

(I'd Kroil-up that lowing bearing overnight before trying to remove it . . . depends on how well maintained the columns has been over the years.)

AND, the "squeek" is gone when we turn the wheel!!

Orion 762

[silvertonguedevil]

Another quick question....My shifter (automatic) has about 4-5 inches of up and down slop in it. My shifter indicator is off. When driving there is a REALLY abnoxious rattle. I can hold the shifter up and it goes away but who can drive like that? Is there a well-known easy fix once I'm inside there to replace the bearings?