How To Replace your Lower Column Bearing: Better and Cheaper!!!

I know i had asked and someone else had to about shortening the collar for header clearance. I cut mine down tonight, picked the bearing up on ebay for $7 shipped. I would have to measure but i took 2" + off mine. Mine had a spring being the plastic bearing, I had to shorten that as well. I also added a u joint while i was at it. I did make some more room. Before and after shot.




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I plan to install the SER205-16 bearing in my 72 Demon. The car was originally a manual trans car and does not have a shift tube. I also want to shorten the housing for more header clearance. My question is can this be performed without removing the column from the car? I was thinking that I could use a chain pipe cutter to shorten the tube and remove the gear box and u-joint to install the bearing. Any advice would be appreciated.

Below is a picture of what I have.

Thanks,
Mike

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