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Don't wanna CRACK IT!

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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 09:49 AM
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Default Don't wanna CRACK IT!



Last time I tried seating the Lower Steering Shaft Bearing into it's plastic Housing, I cracked it. The Housing that cracked was old, and this one is new, but still, the fit seems extremely tight. I don't enjoy the thought of having to buy another one should I crack this one too.

Any tricks to this step you have used to lower the risk?

Thanks.
Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 10:01 AM
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Hi Steve,
Would some lubricant help?
I used a little bit of bearing grease on a tight fit that I was afraid of damaging with good results.
Sometimes it's the 'traction' between the 2 surfaces that stop it from going together.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 30, 2016 at 10:01 AM.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi Steve,
Would some lubricant help?
I used a little bit of bearing grease on a tight fit that I was afraid of damaging with good results.
Sometimes it's the 'traction' between the 2 surfaces that stop it from going together.
Maybe?
Regards,
Alan
Hi Alan.

I remember I was in, for some strange and of course unjustified, a hurry and started pressing the bearing into the housing, using a vice. Was probably not "squarely" aligned and pop! Don't recall using any lube.



I'm doing a dry run on fitting the works together just now, and I'm wondering if I can assemble this together now, THEN seat the bearing into the plastic Housing, with the Housing's Holding Ring acting as reinforcement, as the bearing is seated with a PVC pipe of proper diameter?

Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 11:42 AM
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Hi Steve,
I wish I could offer some advice but I really can't.
I've not had my column apart so don't know the best/safest way to reassemble.
Using a piece of pvc pipe of the proper diameter sounds like a good idea.
Sorry!
Regards,
Alan

Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 30, 2016 at 11:43 AM.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 12:00 PM
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Alan,

I'm beginning to wonder if this is even the correct bearing.



No way is it fitting into this plastic collar.





Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 12:16 PM
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Hi Steve,
I really don't know what I'm looking at but at least from the photo I don't see how THAT bearing can fit into the collar.
I though you were describing a 'snug' fit but that really looks simply too big!
Jim Shea will know in a moment I think!
Regards,
Alan

I wish I could spot something on the column in my car, but with it assembled, what I need to see, is concealed!

Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 30, 2016 at 12:17 PM.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 12:16 PM
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I just did the lower bearing on my column. The lower bearing popped right into the plastic retainer by hand. No issue at all. Make sure you've got the right parts.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 12:33 PM
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Originally Posted by Neil B
I just did the lower bearing on my column. The lower bearing popped right into the plastic retainer by hand. No issue at all. Make sure you've got the right parts.
WOW Neil. No way will these two pop together by hand.



There must be something wrong here.

Thanks Neil.

Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 12:49 PM
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Hi Steve,
I can't really see anything that might help you figure out your situation.
Regards,
Alan




Last edited by Alan 71; Dec 30, 2016 at 01:00 PM.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 02:02 PM
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have you tried putting the internal bearing in freezer and the external case in heat under 200* may give you the clearance you need to make it fit.
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 02:39 PM
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Alan,
Thanks for the pictures. It always makes things clearer.

Kacy,
I thought about that before I gave up.
I did have the bearing in the freezer, and it was a snug fit working onto the shaft, but it went onto it. But I didn't heat the plastic (or is it nylon?) housing though.
If I did soak it in boiling water and try to insert the frozen bearing into it, perhaps that might work. Thanks!
You've given me new motivation sir.

Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 02:53 PM
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Hi,
Wanted to see if I could find a picture of a white collar installed thinking that would indicate a replacement?
Here's one… member speedreed8 posted it.
The thread is about rag joints though, not bearings/collars.
Regards,
Alan

Don't know what if anything this implies?
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 03:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Cavu2u
WOW Neil. No way will these two pop together by hand.



There must be something wrong here.

Thanks Neil.

Steve
NO WAY those 2 parts are going to fit together .10 is not a interference fit .002 maybe but not .10 That's a tenth of an inch!!
What year car ? tilt or Std column ? where did parts come from?
We gotta know
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 03:40 PM
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Since Jim hasn't check in yet
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/pro...olumn-rebuild/
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by Alan 71
Hi,
Wanted to see if I could find a picture of a white collar installed thinking that would indicate a replacement?
Here's one… member speedreed8 posted it.
The thread is about rag joints though, not bearings/collars.
Regards,
Alan

Don't know what if anything this implies?
It implies A LOT Alan. Bearing looks like it's seated flush. Thanks!

I got it started, by way of boiling water submersion of the collar and freezing the bearing prior to putting in the vice.





However, compared to speedreed8's photo, it's got a ways to go.



BUT I DON"T WANNA CRACK IT!

It probably has to seat all the way until the bearing's outer flange butts up to the Collar. Otherwise the Tube Cap's "C" Lock Clip won't align and reach the recesses in the collar in order to lock in place.

I think I'll submerse the collar in boiling water up to the bearing and try pressing it in again. I'll also spray silicon in the collar just prior to putting in the vice.


Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by AzMotorhead
NO WAY those 2 parts are going to fit together. 10 is not a interference fit .002 maybe but not .10 That's a tenth of an inch!!
What year car ? tilt or Std column ? where did parts come from?
We gotta know
I KNOW! That's what I thought too Az.

But the nylon evidently really does stretch, and bigtime too.

The parts came from and were purchased for a '71 T/T Column.

Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 09:41 PM
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Finally got it in.

Seated the bearing a bit deeper into the collar using hot water on the collar and vice squeezing. It all went together and I'm happy with it.

Thanks to all who responded.

And Happy New Year!

Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 09:49 PM
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A better Picture, showing the Steering Lock Lever clearance.



Steve
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Old Dec 30, 2016 | 10:16 PM
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Good job, your persistence paid off!
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Old Jan 1, 2017 | 08:48 PM
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Glad you got it! I swear mine went together by hand. I just set the collar on the workbench, lubed the bearing and pressed it in with the palm of my hand. I guess it's just different tolerances depending on where the parts come from.
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