Steering Column Bearing Replacement HELP

[roughidle]

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=228103


I've kept a subscription to this thread above so I could use it when I rebuilt my column.

I'm rebuilding my column.

It's a floor shift column supposedly out of a '67 dart - going into my '68 barracuda. I ordered this bearing. My question is in reference to my particular year of column. The plastic bearing/bushing in the bottom of my column actually supports the inner tube as well as centers the shaft itself... My original thought to take care of this while using the new style bearing was to cut the plastic bearing in half (cut the lower collar off) and slam it up inside which would hold the inner tube centered with the outer tube and then just press the new bearing in at the bottom of the outer tube which would hold the column rod centered in the outer tube.

Everyone on board so far?

Then I'm running into the clock of the tubes to each other. When that lower plastic bushing is removed it allows the inner tube and subsequently the upper column shell to spin a few (20) degrees around inside the outer tube. So how do I know when it is clocked correctly or doesn't it matter?

Thanks,

D

 

[72bluNblu]

Although I did that write up, I'm afraid I'm not going to be a ton of help. Part of the reason I used the insert bearing was to eliminate the inner tube, as I converted from a column shift to a floor shift. But your plan sounds like a decent way to tackle the issue.

As far as the clocking, that inner tube, at least on the later models, is what the column shifter moves to change gears. You'll want it to be lined up so that the column shifter and linkage attaches properly. With the column apart, I'm not sure it matters. You'll have to re-attach the column shift to hold the inner tube in place. All of that said, I know the '67 column is a little different than the later columns, and all the ones I've dealt with were later.

 

[roughidle]

That's just it though...it's not a column shift column. It's a floor shift column. The inner tube is attached to the collar at the top of the column (the bell behind the steering wheel). The outer tube is standalone....

 

[roughidle]

There's no linkage that travels through the column between the inner and outer tubes. I'm at a loss without it sitting in front of me, but the inner tube is say ~ 1.375" - 1.5" diameter and the outer is the 2" tube...

 

[roughidle]

Anybody with experience rebuilding '67 columns?

 

[72bluNblu]

Sorry! Guess I misunderstood. On the later columns the inner tube is just there for the shifter, and the floor shift columns didn't have them. Just the steering shaft and the outer column jacket. Sorry I can't be of more help, I've never dealt with a '67 column.

 

[ssba]

I just removed the lower bearing / bushing on a 67 floor shift column myself.
The inner tube is colapsable just like the shaft. The bushing is a press fit to
this inner tube and keeps the lower collar from rotating as you say.
It looks like you could grind off the outer lip of bushing and shove it into the outer
tube as you say. You will have to remove the metal bearing from the bushing first.
As far as the clocking it doesn't matter. There is a hole you can locate at center.

 

[4spdragtop]

Subscribed

 

[roughidle]

That's the direction I was planning on heading. I'll try to get some pics as I go here...

 

[younggun2.0]

im not sure what you got going on but when i did the bearing swap on my 67 dart floor shift column i remember the upper bell attached to the outer housing and then the steering shaft rode in the middle on the upper column bearing just below the turn signal switch and retainer plate and the bottom of the steering shaft was supported by the lower bearing. post up some pics of what you got. i have a bone stock 67 dart floor shift column i can look at when i get home.

 

[ssba]

Here is a couple pictures of the 67 column.
Different size outer tube then the 68 & 69 takes a different bushing/bearing.
Has a set screw lock collar and spring to hold bushing in tube, changed to a sheet metal screw
in 68.
Inner tube slips into bushing on lower end and is keyed into the lower collar at the upper end.
You take the bushing out and the inner tube is no longer held in place allowing lower column collar to rotate with the tube.
Also inner tube may be slipped out of lower collar if set screw is not tight. This set screw is
accessible thru hole in lower collar. 67 only. No access hole in 68.

 

[ssba]

Pictures of the upper end of inner tube.
Clean tube is 67, other 68 & 69.
Access hole in lower collar for set screw 67
68 no access hole or set screw.

 

[roughidle]

Everything you just said is correct. Just got to it before i was able to. Tube is actually 2-1/4"....as opposed to the 2" tube used in the initial bearing replacement thread. So, I'm going to attempt to find another bearing that will satisfy the different outside tube and cut down the plastic bushing and fire it up inside the tube far enough to get the bearing in. Here are some pics of my progress for any additional reference:

 

[longarm]

..

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks all, maybe we need to make this a sticky and maybe retitle it for 67 floor shift column?? Lots of year specific and floor specific info. Subscribed!

 

[ssba]

Keep us all informed when you find your bearing.
You are a further ahead of my progress.
You got a good topic going here for the 67s I haven't found elsewhere with my searches.
I have only done the dissasembly and some comparisons to date.
From what I can tell 68 & 69 are the same and 67 is its own.

 

[ssba]

Another picture for those converting to a floor shift from column shift.
The lever is attached to the tube with 3 spotwelds.
Some careful grinding will get you a leverless tube.
Same as the outer tube 67 has a slightly larger inner tube than the 68 & 69

 

[roughidle]

OK So this is what I came up with for a solution.....Due to the fact that my column was closer to 2-1/4" diameter, the bearing didn't fit....

Aluminum bushing for the bearing to sit in. The back side of the bushing holds the inner tube in place....

Let me know if the attachment does or doesn't open...

Thanks

 

[ssba]

Thanks for the follow up with your solution.
So you are still using the plastic bushing with the lip removed
to keep the inner tube stationary?
That's a nice print by the way.

 

[roughidle]

No, no plastic I just cross drilled the column tube and used two short 1/4"-20 x 3/8" long bolts opposing each other to hold the aluminum bushing in the tube....

The ID of the bushing holds the inner tube in place. The new bearing presses into the bushing... That ID is critical for the press fit. I'll try to remember to throw up some pictures of the installed column tonight when I get home.

I always get into such a groove when working on things that I never remember to take a minute and snap pics as I go...

 

[sammie]

I know this is a OLD post. But ! roughidle , can you tell me what you used for a "bushing" ?your om box is full. I have the same bearing you used just need some help with the bushing .where to find .. thx

 

[roughidle]

The drawing pdf is in the post above. I made an aluminum bushing.

 

[roughidle]

The bearing came from the original column thread:

Enter the ER16 flange bearing. It has a 1" inner diameter, and an outer diameter of 52mm. Turns out the column jacket has in inner diameter of ~52mm. Just a smidge less actually. So, you can search ER16, SER205-16, etc.