Need help w/lower steering column
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 111
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From: Oakton VA
Need help w/lower steering column
I have the steering box off, the rag joint off and I’ve removed the bearing adapter (cover?) and the wire retainer. I need help with how to remove the lower bearing and the spring. There’s nothing wrong with them, but I want to clean/paint or replace them before I re-install my engine. It looks like a pry job with a screw driver, but it’s not yielding to moderate persuasion. Any suggestions?
TIA, Dick
TIA, Dick
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Since the lower end of the steering column is exposed to the underhood and engine environment, I would suggest soaking the area with penetrating oil to get rid of as much rust as possible to ease disassembly. Here is a page that shows the parts. It is posted at Terry Rudy's new corvettefaq websight.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...InstrPage3.doc
I don't think that the lower column bearing is a sealed unit. Make sure that you regrease the bearing after spraying the area with penetrating oil.
Jim
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...InstrPage3.doc
I don't think that the lower column bearing is a sealed unit. Make sure that you regrease the bearing after spraying the area with penetrating oil.
Jim
Last edited by Jim Shea; Jan 27, 2006 at 04:55 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Removing the lower bearing, is it just a matter of pulling it off once the retaining ring and retaining clip are removed? I have been thinking of replacing this bearing since it is 36 years old.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Originally Posted by sly vette
With column out of car, remove rag joint flange. Then remove the pinch sleeve. Now remove the retaining clip from around the retainer, and remove the retainer, and the spring. You should now have access to the bearing and nylon and/or teflon bearing holder. Clean the shaft with emery cloth spray with some PB Blaster, and try to pry the bearing GENTLY up and off the shaft. This worked for me with my '69 column and with some patience, it should work for you also. I hope I didn't leave anything out, but if I did I'm sure someone on the site will chime in. At least I think my spelling and grammar are correct. 
Just found this in another thread. Very cool. Is this bearing something I can find locally or is it just a vette catalog part?
Last edited by Eddie 70; Jan 28, 2006 at 12:52 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 188
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From: Atascadero California
The bearing is held in a plastic mounting ring that is pressed into the end of the column. Remove the outer metal circlip and the outer metal cover. You can then soak the bearing and mount with penetrating oil and just knock out the bearing and ring.
The bearing is cheap and available from the Usual Suspects, so replace it.
The bearing is cheap and available from the Usual Suspects, so replace it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Ordered my bearing this morning. Should be another fun project this winter. So far I have been taking a beating working on my car this winter.
Should be another fun project this winter. So far I have been taking a beating working on my car this winter.
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Used a little sandpaper and cleaned the lower end of the column. Sprayed a little PB Blaster on the bearing and it worked out pretty good. That bearing was dry as a chip and every thing was full of dirt and gunk. No wonder it was making a squeeking noise. New bearing is supposed to be here tomorrow.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Got my new bearing today. It looks like it has a small amount of grease in it. I was thinking it should have some more grease in it. I have some wheel bearing grease out in the garage, is this acceptable to pack the bearing with. I also have some Mobil Grease I could use. 
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 188
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From: Atascadero California
Originally Posted by Eddie 70
Got my new bearing today. It looks like it has a small amount of grease in it. I was thinking it should have some more grease in it. I have some wheel bearing grease out in the garage, is this acceptable to pack the bearing with. I also have some Mobil Grease I could use.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I cleaned the new bearing of its old grease and repacked it this evening with some high temp bearing grease. Should be good for another 36 years. 