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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
The original upper bearings with the wider horn contact area and correct colored wire are tough to find....the repros are mostly the narrow horn contact version. The picture shows the wide contact area bearing; it is from a 55-57 Chevy. Keen Parts has this type and they do work.
IIRC the metal sleeve sits atop the bearing...and is unique to '63.
The tough part on the column rebuild is getting the clamp that abuts the large spring on the steering column adjusted properly - you should check that first (see picture) - IIRC the adjustment is 0,010" to 0.030". Mine is shown in the second picture.
If you don't get that bugger up tight and to spec; your steering column will be loose. I see many cars with this improperly adjusted. -
Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Thanks Frank. The original wire was black. Best I recall all the Service Replacement wires were green. I know I have a black magic marker somewhere.
I have another bearing. Since it's to rain all day tomorrow I'll have all day to swap it.
CheerLast edited by Harry S.; May 19, 2018, 04:50 PM.
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
I forgot that I made this old video 5 years ago when rebuilding my 63 column...you can see from this that there is no way that spacer goes inside the bearing -- and that some of the repro bearings are problematic:
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Frank, got it.
Thanks
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Harry,
I just saw your post, the sleeve goes on the shaft and when assembled into the mast jacket it sits on top of the inner race of the upper bearing, it does not go inside the bearing. When the spring is assembled and compressed against the lower bearing the sleeve actually preloads the upper bearing thus the shaft will spin nice and smooth. Without that sleeve against the upper bearing race there will always be play (up/down) in the shaft inside the car, that play is the small ball bearings between the inner and outer races of the upper bearing.Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Tim,
I'll give it an adjustment timorrow and see what happens.
Cheers
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Harry, did adjusting the spring tension on the lower bearing help with the up and down movement of your steering wheel as Frank suggested? I am having the same exact problem you were having. The new upper bearing I purchased from Keen had the smaller horn contact surface and a brown wire and the wrong wire terminal. I installed it anyway only to have the same steering wheel movement my original bearing had leading me to think there was nothing wrong with my original. There has to be a better bearing. What have the rest of you guys done?Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Perry,
If you have the sleeve installed on the shaft at the top when you take up the clearance with the spring in the engine compartment the sleeve should preload the upper bearing. There should be very little if any movement in the shaft up/down and the feel of the wheel turning should be smooth and easy.
NOS bearings come up on eBay from time to time because this bearing is used on some mid size chevy's of the late 50's.Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Perzactly....
That spring is to be adjusted so that there is only so much "float" in the assembly as the wheel is turned - the specs are in the AIM but I believe its about 0.020". Yes earlier Chevy cars had the wide contact upper bearing and those'll work but IIRC the wire color is different than a Corvette...
I think I have a coupe of those on the shelf...as I said above I think Keen Parts has these bearings..Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Those bearings for the 63 are sold under part number 5660233 as they are the same as earlier chevy's and Corvettes.
Several on E-bay listed now.
JRComment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
As I stated in my post, the new bearing I have is from Keen and I do know it is originally sold for use in the tri-five Chevys as I have one. The wire color is brown, not green or black. The wire color is not an issue. The connector is a male spade type which needs to be changed to a female. Again this is not an issue. I assume the narrow horn contact is not an issue. I can't figure out how tightening the spring tension against the lower bearing would have any affect on the up and down/side to side motion of the steering wheel when all the movement comes from the sloppy upper bearing. I mean the shaft is tight on the inner race and the outer race is tight in it's holder but the bearings are loose. What gives?Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Could it be that the canceling cam is worn as it rides on the bearing and sets the clearance for the upper hub and bearing assembly?
JRComment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Perry,
The horn cancelling cam screws to the hub and extends over the bearing so Joe Ray may have a good point. If that reproduction bearing has a smaller diameter the additional space between bearing and plastic cancelling cam wall may allow the movement you describe.
When the spring is compressed below the lower bearing the shaft is pulled down which forces the sleeve up top against the upper bearing inner race and holds the ball bearings of the upper bearing in a position where there is very little up/down movement. If you can't find any joy, post some pictures of as much of it as you can and other eyes will have a look.
The 63 column is a PIA because I remember pictures and info was not real good but once it's together it's simple.Comment
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Re: 1963 Steering column upper bearing and sleeve
Thanks for all the replies. My problems started when I dropped the steering column in order to remove the dash cluster. When I re-assembled everything I had a lot of play in the steering shaft at the wheel so I ordered a new bearing assuming it was shot. When I installed it, it had the same amount of play that my original one had. I re-installed my original bearing and adjusted everything that could be adjusted. After reading Joe and Tim's last post, I will revisit the situation again. I will take some pictures and get back to you guys. ThanksComment
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