upper steering column bearing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

flamingbig10 · 07-10-2011, 05:31 PM

I put a new turn signal switch in my 84 auto, tilt column, after I pulled the old switch old I cleaned up and painted the column. When I picked up the column I heard something hit the ground so look down and it was a race, so stuck it back in and reinstalled the column parts when I got the part to install the lock plate the shaft became really loose I believe is there supposed to be a retainer to hold the race in

Psycho71 · 07-10-2011, 07:23 PM

This thread should show you what part is missing.

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=12525.0

flamingbig10 · 07-10-2011, 11:21 PM

I did look at that thread but it still didn't help me what it looks like, but it did help me figure out that I'm missing something

flamingbig10 · 07-12-2011, 11:13 PM

does anyone know

Psycho71 · 07-12-2011, 11:50 PM

I had to tear my column apart a few weeks ago to tighten up the four bolts that hold the hinge plate down.

When i put it back together, I learned I hadn't payed enough attention to how the pieces came out.

On the top bearing, there is an upper race (the one you mention), if flipped upside down it will let the shaft have way too much play, sliding in and out. The lock plate, IIRC has a clip that holds it in place. Again, IIRC it snaps around the shaft, holding pressure on the lock plate and keeping the bearing and race tight. It's referred to in the thread I posted as "the locking ring". It's a circular piece of wire, about an inch in diameter, and sets in a groove on the shaft, holding the lock plate in place and pressure on the large spring which snugs the upper race into the upper bearing.

Hope this helps.

cjlinkster · 07-13-2011, 09:42 PM

I was in fact just working on my column last weekend. I would recommend that you should google 'Jazzman Steering column' guide. He does an excellent job of stepping through the entire process.

The upper bearing does have a race and a cup. On my truck, the previous owner had inserted the cup wrong. The steering wheel was all over the place due to this error. The tab side of the cub goes into the race (see jazzman's pdf), so the cup side is away from the race.

Good luck.

flamingbig10 · 07-14-2011, 10:50 PM

I got my column fixed today it was the cup I was missing but had to purchase a column spring kit from gm It was $35 dollar mistake for not paying at what was it the column that could fall out, I do remember seeing last, it was on my back patio I saw it and said to my self whats this so I picked it up chunk'd it somewhere

07-10-2011, 05:31 PM	#1
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	upper steering column bearing I put a new turn signal switch in my 84 auto, tilt column, after I pulled the old switch old I cleaned up and painted the column. When I picked up the column I heard something hit the ground so look down and it was a race, so stuck it back in and reinstalled the column parts when I got the part to install the lock plate the shaft became really loose I believe is there supposed to be a retainer to hold the race in __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

07-10-2011, 07:23 PM	#2
Psycho71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kaufman, Tx Posts: 827	Re: upper steering column bearing This thread should show you what part is missing. http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/sm...?topic=12525.0 __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem! Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!

07-10-2011, 11:21 PM	#3
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: upper steering column bearing I did look at that thread but it still didn't help me what it looks like, but it did help me figure out that I'm missing something __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

07-12-2011, 11:13 PM	#4
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: upper steering column bearing does anyone know __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326

07-12-2011, 11:50 PM	#5
Psycho71 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kaufman, Tx Posts: 827	Re: upper steering column bearing I had to tear my column apart a few weeks ago to tighten up the four bolts that hold the hinge plate down. When i put it back together, I learned I hadn't payed enough attention to how the pieces came out. On the top bearing, there is an upper race (the one you mention), if flipped upside down it will let the shaft have way too much play, sliding in and out. The lock plate, IIRC has a clip that holds it in place. Again, IIRC it snaps around the shaft, holding pressure on the lock plate and keeping the bearing and race tight. It's referred to in the thread I posted as "the locking ring". It's a circular piece of wire, about an inch in diameter, and sets in a groove on the shaft, holding the lock plate in place and pressure on the large spring which snugs the upper race into the upper bearing. Hope this helps. __________________ You only need two tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape. If a hammer doesn't fix it, you have an electrical problem! Slot Cars, 1:24 Scale, 100MPH@100,000RPM, fastest things on wheels!

07-13-2011, 09:42 PM	#6
cjlinkster Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Atlanta ga Posts: 150	Re: upper steering column bearing I was in fact just working on my column last weekend. I would recommend that you should google 'Jazzman Steering column' guide. He does an excellent job of stepping through the entire process. The upper bearing does have a race and a cup. On my truck, the previous owner had inserted the cup wrong. The steering wheel was all over the place due to this error. The tab side of the cub goes into the race (see jazzman's pdf), so the cup side is away from the race. Good luck. __________________ 1984 C20, 454, 4 speed named "Gold Member"

07-14-2011, 10:50 PM	#7
flamingbig10 6.0 powered square Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mesquite texas Posts: 3,459	Re: upper steering column bearing I got my column fixed today it was the cup I was missing but had to purchase a column spring kit from gm It was $35 dollar mistake for not paying at what was it the column that could fall out, I do remember seeing last, it was on my back patio I saw it and said to my self whats this so I picked it up chunk'd it somewhere __________________ Aaron 1980 c-10 short bed lowered, cammed 6.0, 4l80e 3600 stall, smp tune, wilwoods, and flames best time so far best et 7.86 @87 on motor 7.57 90 on a 75 shot Build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=283326



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