Rapom's Rocket - just another Duster build thread

Progress!!! The first step in fitting the collar bearing is to tear down the column. The following applies to 70ish and latter columns (don't know about earlier versions). Once you get the wheel and turn signal cams out of the way the next step is to remove the C clip that keeps the upper half of the head unit on the steering shaft. This is a great opportunity to clean, inspect and grease the upper shaft bearing and it's rubber collar, which supposedly dampens vibrations coming up through the shaft into the steering wheel. My bearing was dirty and pretty dry so I washed it in mineral spirits with a toothbrush, gently blew it dry with compressed air and then worked in some fresh grease. Red arrow points to the race where the bearing sits.

View attachment IMG_2373.jpg

View attachment IMG_2374.jpg