Need to "center" steering column?

[Dibbons]

Dropped the 72 SSP steering column to R & R the dash. The FSM refers mechanics to the steering chapter after doing so, I believe to re-center the column with a special tool/gauge. Anyone done that before? Thank you.

 

[gkent]

Really ?!?!?! Re-center it relative to what ???

 

[Dibbons]

Page 19-46 of 72 fsm:
Tool c-4134 or c'4157 must be used to hold the steering shaft in the center of the shift tube while installing and aligning the column in the vehicle. This centering operation is not necessary on columns which have a lower bearing for the steering shaft.

 

[gkent]

This centering operation is not necessary on columns which have a lower bearing for the steering shaft.

So there are columns without lower bearings ?!?!? WTF !!!

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

Some floor shift columns without a reverse lockout do not have a lower bearing, just a seal and seal retainer. Yes, there was a factory service tool that held the shaft centered in the column tube while tightening the mounts. Without the tool, loosen the bolts on the firewall plate, adjust the three column mounting bolts and the height adjustment on the lower mounting bolt, center the shaft by eye as close as you can. Then tighten up the firewall plate.

 

[Dibbons]

Does anyone know if the column for a 72 bbody with small block 318 and 904 auto with slapstick has the lower bearing?

 

[72RoadrunnerGTX]

No lower bearing on floor shift '72 B-bodies.