Steering Column lower bearing re-assembly - did I do it right?

[Lugnutz65]

Hello again everyone!
I need confirmation that I assembled this correctly. I wasn't paying attention when I disassembled it.

So here's the story - I'm in the midst of several "inside" winter projects. This week's project is disassembly and refurbishing my steering column. Tonight I had a small panic attack. I cleaned the outer surfaces of my steering column lower bearing and discovered the felt ring inside with the "C" shaped clip. Curiosity made me try to remove the clip - and I succeeded. I then heard a ball bearing hit the floor and PANIC was my only emotion. I quickly placed the contents of my hands into a basin and crawled around my shop floor until I found the rascal - yes I am sure it was only one. If you saw my shop, you'd immediately know why I panicked.

In my panic and eventual recovery, I never took note of EXACTLY how the bearing was assembled. Rats! More panic - or at least anxiety.

These photos show how I reassembled it. I'd like confirmation from someone here that I did it correctly before I disassemble again and add the grease for the final assembly.

Here are the parts. Bearing cup and race (both in my hand), bearings, felt ring and C clip.



I rolled paper into a cone and placed it inside the bearing cup so the ball bearings would stay in the perimeter of the cup and not fall out.



Then working over a bowl, I slid the race over the tip of the cone and onto the ball bearings. Then I removed the paper cone keeping pressure on the race.



The felt washer and C clip are then worked into place for the final assembly.

[Sharps40]

Man I was thinkin bout this the other day...till I grabbed my lower steering shaft near the bearing and gave it a mighty ol man heave and it didn't wiggle much at all. I'm relieved...got some time. But I'm gonna put in an Ididit with the original wheel and toss that ancient steering column of mine. Needless to say I ain't takin mine apart right now cause it still works.

[Lugnutz65]

Anyone? Hasn't anyone done this rebuild?

[1966shortwide]

Yes i did mine ,got new steel ball's mine were pitted and some missing and smoothed out the race with a red oxide wheel applied grease to hold the ball's in and reinstalled seal and retainer. I had a groove in shaft where bearing rode ,so i mig welded it and chucked into a fixture and smoothed it back down , Is tight and turn's smooth. My inner column tube also had a tang broken off where the upper housing turn's into it so i welded on a tang and re shaped the notch so housing is tight and don't wobble. My upper bearing was ok , but i need a ts switch ,don't know if switch come's with new bearing or not. I had to get ball's at a industrial bearing supplier. Cheap fix, i just like the original column look,just my 2 cent's!!!!!

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 1966shortwide

Yes i did mine ,got new steel ball's mine were pitted and some missing and smoothed out the race with a red oxide wheel applied grease to hold the ball's in and reinstalled seal and retainer. I had a groove in shaft where bearing rode ,so i mig welded it and chucked into a fixture and smoothed it back down , Is tight and turn's smooth. My inner column tube also had a tang broken off where the upper housing turn's into it so i welded on a tang and re shaped the notch so housing is tight and don't wobble. My upper bearing was ok , but i need a ts switch ,don't know if switch come's with new bearing or not. I had to get ball's at a industrial bearing supplier. Cheap fix, i just like the original column look,just my 2 cent's!!!!!

Great! Does it look like I put mine together correctly?

[1966shortwide]

Originally Posted by Lugnutz65

Great! Does it look like I put mine together correctly?

YES, you did.

[Lugnutz65]

Originally Posted by 1966shortwide

YES, you did.

Thanks for confirming this. Now I can finish the rebuild.