Early 1967 Steering Column Help Needed
As usual, nothing can ever go smoothly. I should know that by now but for some reason it continues to surprise me.
I took the column out of my early 67 big block to have the steering box rebuilt due to a prior disastrous rebuild that obliterated the internals of the box.
At the same time, I need to replace the lower bearing in the column as it was completely shot. There were no balls left in it and the races were just along for the ride. I've read all the papers and resources I could find on the early column, and ordered a reproduction early bearing from Paragon which arrived today. I cleaned all the paint and mess off the shaft and had no difficulty removing the retainer, flange, spring, and bearing.
Now I see the plastic pins that stake the upper and lower column shafts together must be broken, because the lower shaft telescopes within the upper by at least an inch. I do not want to disassemble the entire column if not necessary. The first question is, may I replace the bearing and use as it is with no saftey or performance detriment provided I reinstall correctly in the car?
Second problem is that the new repro bearing will not slide freely on the shaft all the way up to the outer sleeve where it must seat. As I see it, the inner race of the bearing has to be a slip fit all the way. I get about half way between the splines and the retainer groove before it gets too snug to slide. I tried it with the O-ring out of the inner race and same problem. I do not have any mics or even a caliper to measure the parts with, but will do so tomm at work. The shaft is clean to bare metal with no burrs or marks that would cause the bind. What to do on this???
Third question is, does anyone restore these columns? At this point I'm getting agitated and would probably prefer to write a check rather than continue messing with it.
Thanks for reading, sorry this is so darn long.
Nick
I took the column out of my early 67 big block to have the steering box rebuilt due to a prior disastrous rebuild that obliterated the internals of the box.
At the same time, I need to replace the lower bearing in the column as it was completely shot. There were no balls left in it and the races were just along for the ride. I've read all the papers and resources I could find on the early column, and ordered a reproduction early bearing from Paragon which arrived today. I cleaned all the paint and mess off the shaft and had no difficulty removing the retainer, flange, spring, and bearing.
Now I see the plastic pins that stake the upper and lower column shafts together must be broken, because the lower shaft telescopes within the upper by at least an inch. I do not want to disassemble the entire column if not necessary. The first question is, may I replace the bearing and use as it is with no saftey or performance detriment provided I reinstall correctly in the car?
Second problem is that the new repro bearing will not slide freely on the shaft all the way up to the outer sleeve where it must seat. As I see it, the inner race of the bearing has to be a slip fit all the way. I get about half way between the splines and the retainer groove before it gets too snug to slide. I tried it with the O-ring out of the inner race and same problem. I do not have any mics or even a caliper to measure the parts with, but will do so tomm at work. The shaft is clean to bare metal with no burrs or marks that would cause the bind. What to do on this???
Third question is, does anyone restore these columns? At this point I'm getting agitated and would probably prefer to write a check rather than continue messing with it.
Thanks for reading, sorry this is so darn long.
Nick
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