Replace your lower column bearing: Better and Cheaper!!!

[Katfish]

Get PN and get from Amazon

[72bluNblu]

Great idea!
Unfortunately that ebay seller wont ship to canada.
Is anyone able to post the bearing dimensions for me? I am trying to source one locally.

Thanks!

Just do a search for an ER16 insert bearing. Its a standard set of dimensions, inside diameter is 1", outside diameter is actually 52mm, or 2.047".

[Katfish]

Ok, now I'm confused?   

Found on Amazon: 1" Insert Bearings SER205-16 

Is the part I need?   

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045FPUXI/ref=s9_wish_gw_d61_g328_ir02?ie=UTF8&colid=1593BM0UJ7FDV&coliid=I3DNCVWTLNW52T&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0X0D6A7RS33QDGR21539&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

Thx

[72bluNblu]

Ok, now I'm confused?   

Found on Amazon: 1" Insert Bearings SER205-16 

Is the part I need?   

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0045FPUXI/ref=s9_wish_gw_d61_g328_ir02?ie=UTF8&colid=1593BM0UJ7FDV&coliid=I3DNCVWTLNW52T&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0X0D6A7RS33QDGR21539&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1389517282&pf_rd_i=507846

Thx

Yep, that's it. SER205-16 is just another part # for it.

[highspeeddirt]

Thanks for the tip!   Just about done with my column, and ordered this bearing for the job.  I have one question. 
My shaft was collapsed, so I modified the plastic retainer portion by drilling and tapping where they injected the plastic material, and using 2 small aluminum screws in their place.  I was concerned about it not collapsing in the event of an accident done this way. (Hence the aluminum screws) Well, I found out they collapse probably about the same as it would with the plastic.  Bone head me sheared the screws putting the crush can back on and had to drill them back out and put new ones in.  Good test, but not planned.

Anyway, my question..... with taking in consideration the shaft needing to collapse, wouldn't it be better to secure the bearing to the column tube and not use the allen screws to secure it to the shaft?  I wold think this would affect the collapse? 

[72bluNblu]

If you're concerned about it, you don't need to tighten the allen screw.

But keep in mind you're not going to be able to put much tension on that allen screw anyway, it doesn't thread into the steering shaft. It just keeps the bearing from sliding under normal conditions.

Also, the bearing just sits in the outer column jacket. Its pressed in enough that it won't fall out, but in a crash it wouldn't stay put either. For that matter, the column jacket itself is designed to collapse as well, so even if the allen screw held tight (it won't) and the bearing didn't slide in the housing (it will), the housing itself would collapse. And once that happened, the steering shaft would collapse with it.

Getting impaled by the steering column is probably the absolute least of your worries in a crash with one of these cars.

[tommyg29]

Just looked at mine and noticed the shaft isnt even touching the plastic "bearing".
Maybe a metal bearing is missing but mine has a gap of about 1/4" between the shaft and the white plastic, so the shaft isnt supported at that point at all. Its simply providing a clean oversized opening at the firewall.

[72bluNblu]

Just looked at mine and noticed the shaft isnt even touching the plastic "bearing".
Maybe a metal bearing is missing but mine has a gap of about 1/4" between the shaft and the white plastic, so the shaft isnt supported at that point at all. Its simply providing a clean oversized opening at the firewall.

Yup, that's how most of them came. I think only the manual steering cars actually got a bearing, and it was still just a small bearing surrounded by plastic.

Don't get me wrong, you don't NEED to have a bearing there. Just one more place to remove some play in the system.

[mrbill426]

So, floor shifted automatic cars only came with that snap-in plastic collar, and no actual bearing?

[burdar]

Yes...except maybe for manual steering applications as mentioned above. My 73 didn't have a bearing...just the plastic collar. It looked just like the picture above. The inner seal was gone so there was a gap between the inner shaft and the plastic...just like the picture. I used a scrap piece of thick foam from a heater box seal kit and made a new seal. You just have to make sure the inner shaft is centered in the column when you tighten the three lower support bolts.

I'm going to do this mod on my Dart. I'm converting to manual steering so I can see the need for more support. I also like the updated coupler seal. I wonder if it's available from the dealer cheaper then in the link?

[mrbill426]

Mine is power steering so I guess that's all there is.  I've been racking my brain off and on about this (unfinished) look for some time and now have the answer.  Guess I don't need that $65!! special bearing the aftermarket guys are selling after all  , thanks all!

 

Yes...except maybe for manual steering applications as mentioned above. My 73 didn't have a bearing...just the plastic collar. It looked just like the picture above. The inner seal was gone so there was a gap between the inner shaft and the plastic...just like the picture. I used a scrap piece of thick foam from a heater box seal kit and made a new seal. You just have to make sure the inner shaft is centered in the column when you tighten the three lower support bolts.

I'm going to do this mod on my Dart. I'm converting to manual steering so I can see the need for more support. I also like the updated coupler seal. I wonder if it's available from the dealer cheaper then in the link?

[elmoska]

i'm missing the pins that block the lower steering shaft to the steering box.

i don't know what it look like and where to get it.

challenger 74.

is it this one

sp3252 or sp3253

http://www.jimsautoparts.com/steering_parts.htm

[72bluNblu]

Sounds like 3252 is what you need, that's the one that holds the steering coupler onto the steering box.

3253 holds the guts of the steering coupler in.

[CUDA JAS]

Great idea!
Unfortunately that ebay seller wont ship to canada.
Is anyone able to post the bearing dimensions for me? I am trying to source one locally.

Thanks!

Did you ever find a local (Canada) source for the bearing.  I want one, but do not want to pay $9 shipping on an $8 item.

Jason

[CUDA JAS]

ok...

I went our a bought the bearing (found a local source,$25).  Looks like it will fit the column ok, but it does not look like it will fit the shaft.

I measured both the bearing and the shaft, the inside diameter of the bearing - just less than an inch (0.998) and the shaft, just over an inch (1.003).

I am guessing I need to sand the paint of the shaft, and uhhh use a little force to get the bearing on?

I guess I thought it would just slide on?

Jason