Steering columm bearing kit

Moderator: Moderators

Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Greybeard » Fri Mar 13, 2015 8:59 pm

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
1937 Chev 2dr sedan
1966 Chevy El Camino (daily driver w/300K miles)
1966 Chevy V8 Corvair https://greybeard.shutterfly.com
1972 Vega GT
1985 Corvette
1999 Safari Sahara 30' with Cat 330
1999 Jeep Cherokee 'toad'
Next: 1964 289 slabside Cobra, LS525 power
User avatar
Greybeard
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:48 am
Location: Sequim, Washington


Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Smiley » Fri Mar 13, 2015 10:14 pm

My 73 has no actual lower bearing, only a plastic bushing.
I believe the upper is the same as a 65 to 79 Corvette.
Last edited by Smiley on Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
User avatar
Smiley
 
Posts: 1002
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:50 am

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Monza Harry » Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:09 am

:popcorn: 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 :idea: Please keep us posted on your progress especially how the hunt turns out and then the fit of the parts after that! Thanx Harry
I'm not a hoarder I'm a preservationist 78 Monza Spyder (~Soon(ish +/- I guess) To Be 2+2 with Spoilers)
User avatar
Monza Harry
 
Posts: 2568
Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2011 8:50 am
Location: Windsor ON Canada

1978 Chevrolet Monza 2+2

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Mar 14, 2015 12:29 pm

Is this power steering or manual steering? I will try to research the GM parts manual and see if I can see anything.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Greybeard » Sat Mar 14, 2015 2:11 pm

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.
1937 Chev 2dr sedan
1966 Chevy El Camino (daily driver w/300K miles)
1966 Chevy V8 Corvair https://greybeard.shutterfly.com
1972 Vega GT
1985 Corvette
1999 Safari Sahara 30' with Cat 330
1999 Jeep Cherokee 'toad'
Next: 1964 289 slabside Cobra, LS525 power
User avatar
Greybeard
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:48 am
Location: Sequim, Washington

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby hammerdown7 » Sat Mar 14, 2015 3:57 pm

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
User avatar
hammerdown7
 
Posts: 3805
Joined: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:53 pm
Location: Clawson, MI

1976 Chevrolet Vega Cosworth

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby chevyart » Sat Mar 14, 2015 4:04 pm

john: you were strangling the wrong person when you tried to strangle the steering wheel. hope all is going well art
chevyart
 
Posts: 1964
Joined: Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:00 pm

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Mar 14, 2015 5:39 pm

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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Smiley » Sat Mar 14, 2015 6:29 pm

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.
User avatar
Smiley
 
Posts: 1002
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:50 am

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Greybeard » Sat Mar 14, 2015 7:41 pm

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

image.jpg


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.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
1937 Chev 2dr sedan
1966 Chevy El Camino (daily driver w/300K miles)
1966 Chevy V8 Corvair https://greybeard.shutterfly.com
1972 Vega GT
1985 Corvette
1999 Safari Sahara 30' with Cat 330
1999 Jeep Cherokee 'toad'
Next: 1964 289 slabside Cobra, LS525 power
User avatar
Greybeard
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:48 am
Location: Sequim, Washington

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Smiley » Sat Mar 14, 2015 8:17 pm

the white bushing rubs against the square clamp.
Image
User avatar
Smiley
 
Posts: 1002
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:50 am

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Greybeard » Sat Mar 14, 2015 9:01 pm

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
1937 Chev 2dr sedan
1966 Chevy El Camino (daily driver w/300K miles)
1966 Chevy V8 Corvair https://greybeard.shutterfly.com
1972 Vega GT
1985 Corvette
1999 Safari Sahara 30' with Cat 330
1999 Jeep Cherokee 'toad'
Next: 1964 289 slabside Cobra, LS525 power
User avatar
Greybeard
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2014 4:48 am
Location: Sequim, Washington

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby cjbiagi » Sat Mar 14, 2015 9:54 pm

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.
Clyde.........75 Monza 2+2
User avatar
cjbiagi
 
Posts: 8608
Joined: Sun Jun 25, 2006 2:37 pm
Location: Glenwood, Illinois

1975 Chevrolet Monza

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby Smiley » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:17 pm

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

Image
User avatar
Smiley
 
Posts: 1002
Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2012 2:50 am

Re: Steering columm bearing kit

Postby gt350fme » Sat Mar 14, 2015 10:34 pm

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.
1964 Chevy panel K30
1973 GT Vega Hatchback
1977 Chevy K20
1984 944 porsche
1992 Lexus SC 400
User avatar
gt350fme
 
Posts: 626
Joined: Wed Jul 05, 2006 9:40 pm
Location: North coast California

1973 Chevrolet Vega GT

Next

Return to Suspension, Steering, & Brakes Tech

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 6 guests