Progress Pics. Steering Column Help!!!

[cwilkie]

It's all downhill from here. After SEVEN years and countless hours it's almost ready for the road. Before I can get it out there I need a little help.

I have a non-tilt steering column which needs to be rebuilt. The steering is nice and tight; however, it makes a noise when I turn the wheel. It sounds like a bearing of some sort needs to be replaced. Do any of you know what might be causing this? It is real annoying. I actually prefer the 67-72 non-tilt steering columns to the tilt ones.

[Dingfodgy]

There is a support bearing near the top of the column. You'd need to pull your steering wheel, horn ring and turn signal switch. Down inside there you'll see the ball bearing set. Pull it out clean any crud that might have gotten in there over the past 40+ years and re-pack it with some grease. If it's all FUBAR'd- check with any of the board vendors for a replacement.

[Green Machine]

Could be the lower bearing too, gets more crud than the top one. It sits on top of the spring down on the lower end of the column. Got lucky on our 68, lower bearing was dry and likely some rust in there. Did not remove column, squirted some WD-40 in there, followed by some 30wt engine oil. You can see the gap where the balls are, just lube in there. Worked for me.

[cwilkie]

Does anyone sell a kit to replace the parts that tend to wear out? I was looking at a replacement and they are quite spendy. I prefer to take my steering column out, replace the worn parts, grease it, and put it back together.