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I just found the lower steering columm bearing is totally gone on my Vega. I did a search here and didn't find a discussion about it.
Tried ebay search and a zero. Where can I find the parts to rebuild it? Or?
Thanks
Mike

My 73 has no actual lower bearing, only a plastic bushing.
I believe the upper is the same as a 65 to 79 Corvette.

I am watching this thread close as I am planning a column mod and I should do a rebuild while it is all apart and under the "knife" anyway Please keep us posted on your progress especially how the hunt turns out and then the fit of the parts after that! Thanx Harry

Is this power steering or manual steering? I will try to research the GM parts manual and see if I can see anything.

This is a manual box.
It was kind of strange. Got a call, pulled off the road and shut it off. I got kinda agitated during the call and started moving the steering wheel back and forth and I was hearing a clunk. Went oh sheet. Checking it out I found the clunk was in the steering shaft at the columm. Using my cell for inspection, I could see scouring on the shaft were I thought a bearing should be, but nothing at all that looked like a bearing or bushing. The car drives fine, no issues there, but it's a little disconcerting to hear that clunk.

My column is from a '77 and there is no bearing where the steering shaft exits, just a white plastic insert that does not keep it centered, it's more toward a 10 o'clock position.

Dick

john: you were strangling the wrong person when you tried to strangle the steering wheel. hope all is going well art

According to the GM parts book all I see is what Smiley and Dick were referring to, a white plastic bushing. If this is the part you need I should be able to get a NOS one. I am not exactly sure what this bushing does, but it's all I see in the book.

The early non-tilt manual steering shaft was a double "d" colapsable shaft, you may be missing the square sheet metal clamp that looks like 2 muffler clamps with 1 straight bolt to tighten it.
That clamp prevents the hollow section of the shaft from being pushed into the column housing in an accident.

Slid the "clamp" down the shaft and took some pics.



As I understand from this conversation, this "bushing" does nothing, and the only bearing is on the upper end of the columm.. Humm?
From the looks of the alignment, I need to raise the columm, and it appears I have 1/2 to 5/8 inch under the dash to do that. The upper bearing is sloppy, so I will need to find one of them. At the same time I can replace the turn signal stuff as it doesn't cancel to the left, and I have to hold it to turn right. Good thing I haven't put a four speed in it yet, cause I don't have that many hands.

the white bushing rubs against the square clamp.

Smiley,
That's where the clamp was before I slid it back to take pictures.
It appears to me I need to get into the top of the columm and sort out the issue with that bearing. I can move the steering wheel up and down more than I think it should do. Then I need to adjust the columm clamp under the dash so the shaft is more centered in that nylon bushing and not laying on it as it is now.
Am I going in the right direction?
Thanks
Mike

The parts book does show some type of seal at the end of the bushing, do you see that? Hard to believe there is nothing holding the lower part of the shaft at the firewall.

the top bearing should be pressed and crimped in to the housing and there should be a spring on the upper end of the shaft under the column lock plate.

here is a link to rebuild instructions:

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219831

Yes, adjust by loosening the 2 nuts holding the steering Columm under the dash, move column around to center the shaft as it inters exits the firewall, no bearing or seal behind that clamp, just center it as best you can, I have seen a centering jig for that in a manual but never seen one in the real.
Loosening the 3 bolts at the firewall where the column goes through can also give some adjustment.


It is strange that there is no seal at the firewall, heat and all can travel right up the columm.