I bought a repro lower bearing for the steering column for a 70 Challenger. It's a floor shift. I can't see any way that this bearing works on this column. Can anyone help?


http://restorationpartssource.com/store/product40110.html

Totally the wrong bearing for your column. I agree that their advertisement is wrong as well. Sorry about your luck

Thanks, do you know if the correct one is available?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/STEERING-...sQ5fAccessories

Yes however I've never seen this two-piece one before . Keep looking you should be able to find the correct one with no problem. Try Hoover's parts

Both of those are the bearings that go between the shift lockout and the outer housing. If you check the picture you'll see that one is already in place. What's missing is a bearing between the lockout tube and the steering shaft itself. I think there is supposed to be a bearing between the steering shaft and the lockout tube.

I have this technical reference document but it isn't clear for a floor shift application.

#2 appears to be for a column shift.

The correct lower nylon bearing for a 70 e and b body is the one that gtx6970 has in his picture.
There is no other bearing between the shaft and the lock out tube.
The ONLY way to install it is to remove the lock out tube and to do so means dismantling the column.
Jules

Jules, I still think there is a missing piece. The red arrow is the bearing that you're talking about. The gap where the blue arrow is should have a bearing. Without it the steering shaft is only supported by the small bearing at the top of the column at the wheel and the coupling at the steering box. There's a ton of play that shouldn't be there.

Nope.
It is a terrible design flaw IMO. No bearing goes there.
The shaft ties into the lower coupler and that's it.
It floats in the tube.
100 % sure.
Same issue with 71 e and b bodies except the nylon bushing is different.
It's actually worse.

Jules

When you install the column , make sure you align it properly with the steering box so that the shaft does not rub
inside the tube.71s have a foam gasket to prevent dust and some heat rising up the tube.
70s have the foam gasket on the outside of the lock out tube.
Jules

U da man. It goes back in as is, after a little black paint to make it look a little more like the one in your pic. Can I just mail my car up to you and have you set it right???

Prepaid only!

Quote:

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Can I just mail my car up to you and have you set it right

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Maybe I can help. What I did was make a bushing out of plastic round bar. I drilled it to the shaft size and turned it down so it fit in the tube. I also stepped it.Then I cut it in half. When installing the column attach the lower support plate to the bottom of the dash with the nuts on the studs then attach the coupling. IIRC there is a set depth for the shoes in the coupling housing but I don't have it handy. I could be wrong but I thought there was a line on the shaft that goes flush with the housing.
After the depth is set tighten the nuts on the studs. Now slip the 2 piece bushing in place and this centers the shaft in the tube. I used a hose clamp to hold it together. Now tighten the lower column support plate to the firewall. This is why the holes are so large. Remove alignment bushing and you have it.

Thanks Bill for posting that picture, that's what I was looking for. I've never seen the "split" design before

I agree with Jules...poor design.

I know you are working on a 70 car, 74 E bodys had a lower ball bearing with bearing holder down there.

This is the upper bearing.

You can see the lower bearing holder, bearing and retainer spring in this picture. I was able to get the bearing from Mopar in 05, the holder was NA. I put this setup in my 71 car, my 74 already had it. I have another set that's going in my other 74 when I get it done. FYI


I have the part number for the lower bearing somewhere, just don't have it here at work.
Another shot of the 74 lower bearing support and bearing.

That's right Gary.
Now the head scratch question of the day is why did they go to a metal
encased bearing in 74 when back in 68-69 b bodies they used a nylon captured bearing?
I have a few theories.
Yours?
Jules

Maybe the following.
Different vendor.
Nylon bushing could melt or simply breakdown.
Cost.
All theories or guesses.
Jules