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1980 steering column upper bearing centering ring issue
So I taken my steering column apart thinking that the tilt was worn out only to find that it seems to be the upper bearing centering retainer that will not stay in place, it goes the upper bearing, centering ring, flat washer, spring, lock plate, then clip. When the centering ring is pressed in place i have 0 play, re install everything to the steering wheel and play comes back, tore it back down and that centering ring was out again, so my question is, what am i missing or do i need to replace?
so i 100% have it, for me it seems like the inner race is pushing it self out. When i push it completely in the bearing then push the race seat in everything feels tight like it should. Then the spring and so on. But once i get the steering wheel installed i get the 7-8 o'clock play back.(my wheel moved towards 7/8 o'clock). So I tear it back apart, and when i get to the bearing the inner race is out again. Like the spring is compressed but i can tell you, its not. I fight to get the c clip back on.....😫😫😫
Has it always done this or did it just start doing it ?
Can you put up a pic with all the pieces you are using ? someone (previous owner ?) might have used the wrong pieces in there .
Also a measure of the spring length as well.
so i 100% have it, for me it seems like the inner race is pushing it self out. When i push it completely in the bearing then push the race seat in everything feels tight like it should. Then the spring and so on. But once i get the steering wheel installed i get the 7-8 o'clock play back.(my wheel moved towards 7/8 o'clock). So I tear it back apart, and when i get to the bearing the inner race is out again. Like the spring is compressed but i can tell you, its not. I fight to get the c clip back on.....😫😫😫
Are you putting the turn signal switch to the center position? If it's up or down it could cause this problem.
Its all held together with the spring that compresses with the tool so you can lock the (steering)lock ring down. If that spring is weakened or shorter it will keep doing what you described every time.
I have had tilt columns from every year disassembled and I have never seen that part in any one of them. There is a small ring that goes between the upper race and spring, but have never seen one that looks like that.
1980 steering column upper bearing centering ring issue
