1970 chevelle steering column problems

[bosoxfancam]

How do you replace the steering column bearing on a 1970 chevelle with tilt column? all the bearings fell out of my column when i was changing the turn signal switch any ifo would be great thanks

[flash]

Good question ,I dont know the answer but Im sure someone will chime in and help you out.
And welcome aboard .

[shadowgray396]

Here's the info I used when I did mine

Here is a link to a blowup of our tilt column. The numbers in the blowup match the numbers in the Disassembly & Repair Papers that follow.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/TiltColumnBlowup.doc

Here are links to all three papers and pics
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/tiltcolumndr_1rev09ja2010.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/stdortiltcolumndr_2rev15ja2010.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/tiltcolumndr_3rev05my2010.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tiltcolumnlinedrwg_1.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tiltcolumnlinedrwg_2.pdf

http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/tiltcolumnlinedrwg_3.pdf

You do need to purchase a new upper bearing. The following description is taken from my Disassembly & Repair Paper #3 above.

Replace the Upper Bearings – Missing Balls/Broken Separator
There are two bearings (#17 & #35) located in the bearing housing #23, they are seated back to back with one inch between them. They consist of an outer race, a plastic ball separator, and ball bearings. The bearing outer races are press fit into the housing, one toward the driver and the other one in the other side of the housing pointed in the opposite direction. The balls ride on inner races. One is permanently pressed onto the steering shaft yoke #39. The other inner race #11, the one closest to the driver, is a loose fit to the shaft. This one is preloaded by upper bearing inner race seat #10 that is pushed by a 100# spring #6, and secured with around wire lock plate retaining ring #3.

The column upper bearing service kit is GM part number 26001827. It contains one bearing with an inner and outer race. However, if you need both bearings, I have found that it is cheaper if you purchase GM kit #7844651. The kit contains two bearings, along with a rack, sector, lock bolt spring, and screw. Just save the extra parts or replace your thirty year old rack, sector, and spring while you have the housing apart. You should be able to purchase either kit from any GM dealer.

One other suggestion. One enthusiast found very similar bearings at a bicycle shop! I would guess that they were probably a lot cheaper than going through a dealership.

Now that you have the housing removed from the column, place it on a terry cloth surface. You now need to take a small screwdriver and pop the individual ball bearings out of the separator. You will soon understand why I recommended a terry cloth work surface. With all of the balls removed, it is now possible to inspect the plastic separator.
If it is brittle and broken, replace it by reaching into the housing and popping the separator out of the inner race. If it is in good condition, leave it alone.

Inspect the inner race, if it is in good condition, leave it alone. Otherwise, you need to reach through the back side of the housing with a thin punch and using the notches that are in the housing bore to assist you, work the race out of the housing. Press the new
inner race into place. Caution: Do not press the race into the housing by pushing on the balls, this will cause them to damage the race and rotation of the steering shaft will feel rough. Snap the new separator into the inner race. Individually snap the ball bearings into the separator. Make sure that you lubricate the bearing with the grease that comes in the service kit.

Caution: When you purchase replacement upper bearings you should receive the balls, a plastic separator, and the outer race as a set. It has come to my attention that the replacement bearing separator may rub on the original outer race that is pressed into the bearing housing. This will cause objectionable friction when turning the steering shaft. Snap the ball bearings into the new separator and make a trial fit to the outer race in the bearing housing. Check if the new plastic carrier rubs or not. If it rubs you will need to replace the outer race with the one supplied in the kit. Follow the instructions in the previous paragraph to remove and replace the outer race.

If you are not up to a complete teardown of your steering column, I suggest that you contact companies like:
Steering Columns Galore in New York http://www.columnsgalore.com/index.htm
or
GM Tilt Steering Column Service http://www.gmtiltsteeringcolumn.com/services.html

or some other steering column rebuilder for replacement of the upper bearing. These people are not cheap but they will do a good job.

[bosoxfancam]

thanks alot this is exactly what i needed

[669roby]

Hi..........i've got my column down to the top bearing......is there a ring holding it down or can I just use screwdrivers to pry it up.........?