steering column detailed

[decker49]

does anyone have a detailed picture of the bottom steering column where main steering shaft comes out of tube I am trying to see if there is just a dust shield or bearing at the bottom of the steering column I need to see if I am missing any parts.Any help would be appreciated. thanks Don

 

[Chris-Turbo]

http://www.1970dodgecharger500.com/images/steering-column-parts.jpg

 

[Meep-Meep]

Not a close up but it may give you what you need.

 

[69HEMICORONETR/TCONV]

Will email pictures of a Professionally Restored column tomorrow.

 

[Chris-Turbo]

Not a close up but it may give you what you need.

Looks like my engine-bay. ;)

 

[Meep-Meep]

Hey, yeah!! Sure does. Is that a RR too?

Looks like a Hemi master cyl for the Bendix 4 piston disc brakes.

 

[moparstuart]

i got an empty red end bay too

 

[decker49]

Thanks alot, between my shaft and tube I do not have a dust shield or bearing but between the tube and outer housing I have the white plastic bearing is this the way yours is. I cannot tell for sure from the pictures. thanks Don

 

[Meep-Meep]

The bearing, which is supported by the plastic holder rides directly on the shaft.

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

confirming correct bearing parts

I just rebuilt the front end of my '68 Satellite and the steering wheel still has some play in it and makes a little squeaking noise. After researching on this forum and others I found that there are some steering column bearings to replace that might help. So I ordered these two items from Jim's auto parts. I haven't taken anything apart yet, but I was wondering if anyone can confirm that replacement of these two parts will solve my problem?

P/N KQ-543 (Similar to KQ-542)
Power Steering Column Bearing
68-69 A, B & C all models; 70-73 A, B & E all models exc. Imperial; 74-79 A, B & E (will also fit some C Body cars) for use with Manual & Column Shift transmission with 3 bolt mounting pattern

P/N SP-9415
STEERING COLUMN UPPER SHAFT BEARING

I was also wondering if I can access things to replace these in the interior of the car or if one of these is in the engine bay? Sorry, but I don't have a '68 repair manual yet and need to get one.

Thanks for the help!

 

[Meep-Meep]

Do you have power steering? If so then a little play is normal when the pump isn't circulating fluid. If the play is up and down then you probably have something loose in the column or the bearing is bad. I have never seen a bad upper bearing but a few rusted out lower ones.

The lower bearing is the one in the white plastic holder and the upper is the smaller of the two and that's held in place with a rubber isolator that grabs the outer race.

If you must you can change the upper bearing easily in the car by dismantling the upper part of the column. The bearing is in the short housing closest to the steering wheel under the turn signal switch. Remove wheel, turn signal switch, snap ring around shaft and loosen the two 7/16" hex nuts (1/4-28 thread) until they are almost off. When the nuts are loose push the bolt in and that should release the square head of the bolt that engages in the column sleeve on the inside. A little wiggling and careful prying and it should slide off the shaft. I would say it will be easier to remove the column to change the lower bearing.

 

[snakeoil24]

The steering column rare ever goes bad did you check the play in your steering box??

 

[68 Sport Satellite]

thanks for the detailed advice guys. The car is in the shop right now for something else and I get it back next week so I will check things out then.

Yes, I have power steering. I recently took the housing off of the original power steering pump and replaced the main reservoir seal as well as fitting it with both new hoses. The play and squeaking sound happens while driving in the city at 20-40 mph.

I suspected maybe the steering box could be bad or need adjustment, but aside from just forking over $350 to buy a new one, i don't know how to go about checking that out on the old one. Can you guys give any advice on that?

If I have to it sounds like I should try replacing the larger white housing lower bearing first. What are the steps to go about that? Is it easily visible in the engine compartment or is it inside the car near the firewall?