steering column bearings

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my68barracuda

my68barracuda

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hello,
working over the winter months on a 1968 Barracuda,
I have the steering column out, it is a factory floor shift auto car, manual steer.
I disassembled, cleaned it up, kind of re packed the upper and lower shaft bearings and re assembled it.
the shaft turns freely, but certainly has a course feel, if this was a wheel bearing and had that feel I certainly would replace the wheel bearings.
I am after a car with good steering, so,,
the steering column bearings are certainly not locked-up , but even after a garage repack, the shaft is not really smooth when turning.

It looks like I could replace the lower bearing for approx. 85.00 and the upper for another 45.00 would rather not spend that for no reason,,,

for those that have replaced the steering column bearings, what do you think?
replace only when the bearings fail and lock, or does renewing the steering column bearings help over all steering feel?
 
Last edited:
my68barracuda said:
hello,
working over the winter months on a 1968 Barracuda,
I have the steering column out, it is a factory floor shift auto car, manual steer.
I disassembled, cleaned it up, kind of re packed the upper and lower shaft bearings and re assembled it.
the shaft turns freely, but certainly has a course feel, if this was a wheel bearing and had that feel I certainly would replace the wheel bearings.
I am after a car with good steering, so,,
the steering column bearings are certainly not locked-up , but even after a garage repack, the shaft is not really smooth when turning.

It looks like I could replace the lower bearing for approx. 85.00 and the upper for another 45.00 would rather not spend that for no reason,,,

for those that have replaced the steering column bearings, what do you think?
replace only when the bearings fail and lock, or does renewing the steering column bearings help over all steering feel?
Click to expand...

I'm using this for the lower.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RPFYKPE/?tag=joeychgo-20
And this for the upper.
1962 - 1983 Upper Steering Column Bearing Dodge Chrysler Plymouth - Vans Auto

i took mine about apart a long time ago and need to put it back together. But I can't remember if the coller get indexed clockwise or counterclockwise or if it matters? Maybe just the hub nuts pinch the coller to keep it from rotating. Any thoughts.
 
khuebner250 said:
I'm using this for the lower.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RPFYKPE/?tag=joeychgo-20
And this for the upper.
1962 - 1983 Upper Steering Column Bearing Dodge Chrysler Plymouth - Vans Auto

i took mine about apart a long time ago and need to put it back together. But I can't remember if the coller get indexed clockwise or counterclockwise or if it matters? Maybe just the hub nuts pinch the coller to keep it from rotating. Any thoughts.
Click to expand...
The Amazon link does not work.
Can you repost it?
The Vans link does. That is a good price for an upper bearing.

To assemble the steering column,
1) I marked the approximate location of the upper section screws - nuts with tape arrows
2) marked the approximate location of the slots in the shaft cover with tape arrows.
3) aligned the arrows, then holding the column assembly between my knees to keep gravity pressure on it tightened the nuts. FSM spec is 50 inch lbs,
4) to start, the nuts are barely threaded on to the bolts.
5) you can look into the turn signal shaft slot and see one of the receiver slot - bolt head interface. I had to use a rubber mallet and tap the upper section to get it down on to the shaft cover.
 
I didn't know my upper bearing had a roar in it until the column was out on the workbench. Can't feel the roar in the car. No way to turn so far so fast. I was building a power steering floor shift column from parts of 2 columns. Did buy a new upper bearing.
The OEM bearings weren't made of much. They aren't the same hardened and ground/grinded? manufacture process as a more common bearing. They are closer to a cheap brand bicycle bearing. I've seen them worn so bad that the balls fell out but never seen one locked up. That wont hold true for some alternative replacement bearings which are the real deal, load bearing bearings.
 
Have done the column on my '68. Upper bearing cleaned up and packed, replaced lower. The only "clocking" was for lower bearing set screws to column housing. Re-check those bearings, should roll smooth. I use wheel bearing grease.
 
Murray said:
Have done the column on my '68. Upper bearing cleaned up and packed, replaced lower. The only "clocking" was for lower bearing set screws to column housing. Re-check those bearings, should roll smooth. I use wheel bearing grease.
Click to expand...
This is the clocking in referring to.

IMG_0926.jpg

"The collar slides on loosely and indexes counter-clockwise into a specific key way cut into the column."

It says it's indexed CCW but shows it indexed CW?
 
x2 with 72bluNblu. Used that one on my 73 Sport. Much cheaper than the factory replacement and works as well or better.
 
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