63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

[Richard K.]

I am trying to replace the upper steering shaft bearing and "sleeve" in my 1963. Based upon a review of the AIM (Sect 9 / Sheet 5.00) and on line research it is unclear where the "sleeve" should be located on the steering shaft. The sleeve slides on the steering shaft but seems much to large to fit inside the upper bearing itself to take up any excess play. Does it go below (toward the firewall) the upper bearing? If so, what is its function? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Richard,

I am not aware of any sleeve, the inner race for the upper bearing is the only sleeve I can think of as it slips over the steering shaft. Are you installing a reproduction bearing or the original?

Post a pic if you can, I will go look at my old bearing..

[Richard K.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Thanks for the reply. The top of the shaft seems to have a fair bit of left to right and up to down play in it. I ordered a replacement upper bearing and upon further review of the AIM I see there is a sleeve which is also installed. I ordered the sleeve from LI Corvette (Part No 18-65 - 1963 part only) but can't figure out where it goes on the shaft. It clearly won't fit into the new bearing, and your comment about the inner race of the bearing below verifies the bearing has direct contact with the shaft, which makes sense to me. I note the new bearing does seem to fit more tightly on the shaft vs the old one, but still don't know what the sleeve is for and where it goes on the steering shaft.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Richard,

I will look at the pic on the LI website, I just can't remember any sleeve for the upper bearing..

[Richard K.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Thanks. If you have an AIM, it is much easier to see.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Richard,

I am looking at the picture in the AIM and I believe the sleeve may be in the hub assembly. I can't recall any sleeve inside the bearing, look in your hub to double check.

[Richard K.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Thanks. I did look at the hub assembly and it fits tightly on the steering shaft without a sleeve. I had to use a wheel puller and torque it up to get the assembly off at the start of this project.

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Richard,

Maybe someone else will respond but it's possible the sleeve was used on passenger cars and part of the picture was borrowed from another AIM.

[Michael F.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Richard,

Maybe someone else will respond but it's possible the sleeve was used on passenger cars and part of the picture was borrowed from another AIM.

Bingo!. I tried 10 ways from Sunday to find how that darn sleeve fits. It doesn't. Discard and move on.

[Richard K.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Mike / Tim,
Thanks for all the posts. I appreciate your time and responses.
Will set the sleeve asside and continue with the project.
Rich

[Kenneth S.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve


Ken

[Timothy B.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Ken,

I see exactly what your talking about, if this is correct I need to take mine apart to double check because I don't think it's there. Anyone have a picture of this sleeve they can post..

I makes cense to act as a spacer for the plastic cancelling cam.. Never recall this part but my steering was in a box..

[Michael F.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

My ’63 has the sleeve installed, it sits on top of the upper bearing and I believe acts as a spacer between the bearing and the cam canceling part that is attached to the bottom of the steering wheel hub. See the AIM Section 12 Sheet B7.00.
Ken

If I used the sleeve on my 63? The hub and shaft would not lower to proper clearances with the turn signal mechanism. the clearance difference was the length of the sleeve.

After being told on the Corvette Forum to by-pass it. I di and the steering is as tight as a 63 can be. Seemingly no negatives.

If there is an explanation for the sleeve not fitting? I am anxious to hear it.

[Richard M.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

I didn't read your entire thread but check out this thread. It has some photos and info which may help. I had similar issues when I rebuilt my 63 column a few years back.....Rich

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthread.php?p=388383&uid=2477#poststop

[Richard K.]

Re: 63 Upper Steering Column Bearing and Sleeve

Wanted to close out this post. I ended up taking the steering shaft out of the car and replacing the upper and lower steering bearings, turn signal metal ring and cancelling cam. I left the steering mast in the car. The lower bearing was missing the ball bearings and just fell apart. The steering shaft was scored deeply at the lower bearing site so I replaced the shaft. Upon reassembly, I realized the sleeve (Part No 18-65 - 1963 part only) does fit on the shaft acting as a spacer between the upper steering bearing and steering wheel hub, as Ken Schurr noted in his post. I compressed the lower spring at the lower bearing to the .010" spec. The space between steering wheel hub and turn signal housing was to far apart so I loosened the screw on the turn signal housing using an "L" shaped screw driver and gently hit the loosened screw head with wrench to loosen the wedge inside the housing. I then slid the jacket up to try to get the .070" gap between the housing and the steering wheel hub. Initially the turn signal cancelling cam did not work. I checked the .070" gap noted above and the gap was too wide. I re-adjusted the gap to exactly .070" and adjusted the directional cable at the directional switch and the turn signal and cancelling cam works great. Overall the steering is much smoother, tighter and responsive. I wanted to thank everyone who responded and provided input and suggestions.