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Canadian Poncho Homepage -> Canadian Poncho -> 65-70 Full Size Interior Tech Forum -> Lower steering column bearing replacement
Post Info TOPIC: Lower steering column bearing replacement
4SPEED427


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Lower steering column bearing replacement
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I enjoy when guys post up pics and details of their projects. I figured I'd try to return the favour.

The project is quite basic, replacing the lower column bearing but for some reason it intimidated me slightly. No need for that, I have it all apart now and it appears to be an easy job. I'll post some pics of how far I am so far and update when I get a chance to put it back together.

The floor shift column that 66GrandeGuy had for me. (Thanks yet AGAIN Ken for helping me out with something I needed for my car)

20170701_112328[1].jpg

Typically these bearings get old and dried out, even rusty when the hood is not on the car and it's sitting out in the elements. No worries, it's not complicated.

20170701_112256[1].jpg

My column came with the steering wheel removed so this is what I started with. 3 screws need to come out of the signal switch. One is down the hole as shown and the other 2 are visible.

20170701_112908[1].jpg

The brass ring for the horn contact just has some tabs down the side that snap into place. Gently work it up all around being careful not to bend the flat surface of the ring.

20170701_113024[1].jpg

On the side of the column, remove 1 bolt, 5/16" head that holds the signal switch harness in place.

20170701_113114[1].jpg

I used a small 90 degree hook and gently pulled up on the switch as I worked around with the hook to remove the switch.

20170701_113257[1].jpg

Remove the one bolt that holds the lower bearing housing in place.

20170701_113834[1].jpg

Remove the shaft and lower bearing assembly. One thing I would recommend. Leave the steering wheel retaining nut on the end of the threaded shaft as much as possible in case you happen to bump the shaft on something when you are working around with the column. One innocent little bump on the exposed threads (if the nut is not on to protect them) can cause you a lot of grief.

20170701_113936[1].jpg

To remove the bearing and sleeve assembly, I found an open end wrench as close to the right size as possible, set it on the sleeve and gave a few good taps on the wrench as close to the open end as I could.


20170701_114418[1].jpg


It came off quite nicely.


20170701_114930[1].jpg

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To remove the bearing, I found a piece of pipe that was big enough to support the housing around the perimeter, yet had enough room to let the bearing fall inside when I tapped it out. Then I found a socket to fit inside the housing and fit the bearing nicely to tap it out.

20170701_115813[1].jpg

Voila! (That was for you, JohnneeD!) Bearing and housing separated.

I was the recipient of Pontiax's generosity (he ordered my lower bearing for me repro with some other stuff he was ordering) so have the new bearing. In the meantime, I ran across a deal on an NOS GM bearing for a great deal in Canada, so I bought it too. Debating, but I think I will likely put in the GM bearing. The repro bearing sure looks perfect though.

20170701_114903[1].jpg

20170701_114839[1].jpg

20170701_114751[1].jpg

So that's as far as I am. I plan to clean up the whole shaft real nice before I reinstall it, and I may order a new signal switch because I know how troublesome these switches are in these cars, and it's no extra work for me to install it right now.






















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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
4SPEED427


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I will update once I have reassmbled the column. I need to paint it up to match my interior as well.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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4SPEED427


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I forgot to mention, this is a 66 full size column. 65 would be the same and I am betting that Beaumonts 66 and older, also full size 64 and older could be very similar although I think the signal switch is different.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
macsleuth


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Thanks Carl, have to replace mine as well, looking forward to watching your progress.

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65 Catalina 2+2 421 4bbl,  Auto, White, w/red interior, Buckets w/column shift.

66 Grande Parisienne, 2dr HT, 327 4bbl, Auto.

Had the 66 since about 83 and the 65 since 88.
Both still require a lot of work.
4SPEED427


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Fun job. I think I might even head out to the garage now (10 PM) to do a bit more work on it. I finally have some time after a hard day of yard work...

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
4SPEED427


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Just for fun, I took the old bearing apart. It's very easy, that ring with 4 tabs just pops out with some gentle prying/twisting. I greased it all up, put it back together and it pretty much feels as good as the NOS bearing. I'm not going to put the old one back in but I was curious if it would actually work just to regrease it and it seems to. New bearings don't really cost that much but if a guy is in a pinch, he could likely use the old one over again.

20170703_230759[1].jpg

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
4SPEED427


A Poncho Legend!

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Posts: 50208
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Finally time to update.

I didn't take a picture of installing the bearing into the retainer but it was as easy as finding something the right size to tap it into place.

Cleaned up the whole shaft assembly with the wire wheel on the bench grinder.

I painted the tube and the two upper collar pieces the other day.

20170816_215236[1].jpg

Reassembly is pretty basic so I didn't take pictures of the steps.

Slide the bearing assembly onto the shaft, then slide it all into the tube and bolt the bearing retainer in place.

Install the flat washer, then the wavy washer into the tube.

Slide the larger (lower) collar (shift collar if it's a column shift setup) onto the tube. You can't put it on wrong, there's a piece casted into it that fits in the big notched area at the top of the tube. Make sure the small washer is on top of this collar. It will rest under the upper collar.

Slide the shorter (upper) collar onto the tube and work the tabs through the slots, then twist it clockwise to lock it into place. You can't put it on wrong, it won't fit because the tabs and slots are different sizes.

Feed the signal harness down through the opening. Lots of room to do this. Install the 3 screws to hold down the signal switch.

That's as far as I am until I change columns. At that point I have to swap the signal lever and steering wheel over.


20170816_220613[1].jpg





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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
Nov 18 to Dec 2 Black Friday UP TO 50% OFF Plus Huge Coupons
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4SPEED427


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I tried to copy the paint the way GM did it. They just kind of sprayed the colour where you could see it and rest is black. So no, I wasn't lazy or sloppy when I painted it, that seems to be the way they were new.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
66 Grande guy


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Hi Carl i missed this thread originally.  Great to see the old column looking so good! It has a pretty good pedigree but i had no more use for it.  Looking forward to seeing you stuff it in there.



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ken from northern Alberta

38 Willys pickup electric

39 Buick (327 with 700 r4)

66 Beaumont 4 door hardtop

69 Chevy CST pickup

1976 GMC 23'  motorhome

1994 Impala SS 

1968 Citroen Fourgonnette (Yeah Carl!)
4SPEED427


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It's not installed yet but once I have the conversion up and running that will be top priority.

I'm very grateful for all that you've helped me with over the years Ken. You've bailed me out many times when I was in need.

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1966 Strato Chief 2 door, 427 4 speed, 45,000 original miles 

1966 Grande Parisienne, 396 1 of 23 factory air cars (now converted to a "factory" 4 speed)
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