Replacing lower bearing on steering column

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Jun 8, 2007 | 10:22 AM

karstenhorn

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 67

Likes: 0

From: Sindal Jutland

Replacing lower bearing on steering column

Hello

I’m about to replace my completely worn out lower bearing on my non T/T 1972 column. Is there a specific trick to get the old bearing off without taking the complete column to pieces? I have removed the clip/ end cap but it seems like the bearing sits rock hard on the inner shaft. As the surroundings are plastic/thin metal, I would prefer not being too rough to it if possible.

By looking at the original design for the rag joint/steeringbox, it looks like a not so good design for the Steeroids and I’m thinking about installing a second bearing on the outside as well.

Thanks in advance and regards from Denmark

Karsten

Jun 8, 2007 | 11:05 AM

AzMotorhead

Limping across the line

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 5,299

Likes: 109

From: Peoria Az

I believe the column has to be dis assembled.But here's a link that may help
Columns Galore

Jun 8, 2007 | 11:46 AM

crf311

Melting Slicks

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 3,029

Likes: 94

From: meraux LA

If I remember right, it was a easy job. All I needed to do was remove the bearing from the lower portion and replace. It was harder to get the column out than it was to change the bearing.

Jun 8, 2007 | 01:01 PM

karstenhorn

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 67

Likes: 0

From: Sindal Jutland

Quote:

Originally Posted by crf311

If I remember right, it was a easy job. All I needed to do was remove the bearing from the lower portion and replace. It was harder to get the column out than it was to change the bearing.

I concur, it looks like an easy job but my bearing is like welded to the inner portion. I will give it a try again tomorrow with some heavier tools and if that is not a success – I do have another bearing I will weld in place on the outside. As a matter of fact I think I will do that under all circumstances.

Regards

Karsten

Jun 8, 2007 | 01:18 PM

I'm Batman

Team Owner

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 23,831

Likes: 10

From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

Jun 8, 2007 | 01:47 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

Likes: 263

From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

soak it in solvent for a while i soaked mine for about a week

[IMG]

[/IMG]

[IMG]

[/IMG]

Jun 8, 2007 | 01:48 PM

karstenhorn

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 67

Likes: 0

From: Sindal Jutland

Quote:

Originally Posted by I'm Batman

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/?page_id=4

I have been crawling through almost all the papers about the steering column and have found the part numbers but not direct guidance about replacing lower bearing. It looks like an easy task and the culprit could very well be the fact that my old bearing is simply rusted tight due to age etc.

Thanks

Karsten

Jun 8, 2007 | 01:52 PM

bobs77vet

Race Director

Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 11,874

Likes: 263

From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod

its not hard just soak it in penetrant

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Jun 10, 2007 | 11:51 AM

karstenhorn

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 67

Likes: 0

From: Sindal Jutland

Hello
Finally got the old bearing off using some quite heavy pulling tools, however even with the new bearing there were too much play at the end with my Steeroids kit so I decided for an outside bearing as well.
In my opinion the stock bearing is not designed for the bigger side trust that the Steeroids linkage creates so it will wear quickly. I would say that an outside bearing is a must when going R & P.
Now there is a small amount of play left and that is inside the R & P and is taken care of by Speed Direct.

A couple of pictures of my new outside bearing:

Thanks for all the good replies and greetings from Denmark

Karsten

Jun 10, 2007 | 09:59 PM

#10

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

I have updated my Disassembly & Repair Paper #3 for both the standard (non-adjustable) and the tilt & telescoping steering columns to include additional information on replacing the lower bearing.

Standard Steering Column
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr3-08jn07.doc

T&T Steering Column
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...dr3-08jn07.doc

Jim

Jun 10, 2007 | 11:54 PM

#11

karstenhorn

Thread Starter

Advanced

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 67

Likes: 0

From: Sindal Jutland

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Shea

Thanks Jim

By studying your papers it took me about 1/2 an hour to get the column off the car. As a matter of fact it is so easy so when working on the dashboard in the future, it will be removed beforehand. Giving so much more space in there.

Even with penetration oil, my lower bearing was like welded to the inner shaft. I had to use a big puller welded to the bearing in order to get it off. No way I could have done that with the column still in the car as I tried to in the beginning.

Regards
Karsten

Jun 11, 2007 | 07:54 AM

#12

Jim Shea

Le Mans Master

Joined: Jul 2000

Posts: 6,001

Likes: 113

From: Saginaw Michigan

Karsten,
Glad to see that you have rebuilt the lower end of your steering column successfully!

It seems that a lot of people are just reluctant to even try to pull the steering column. It really isn't that difficult and the steering column is so much easier to work on when it is completely out of the car. My Disassembly & Repair Papers #2 for the standard column and for the T&T column have very complete instructions on pulling the column.

Standard (non-adjustable) Steering Column
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...&R2-20JA06.doc

Tilt & Telescoping Steering Column
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-co...2-20JA2006.doc

Jim

Reply Subscribe