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Challenger steering - lower bearing install help

Posted By: conv440

Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/08/10 10:56 PM

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

Attached picture 5914694-IMG_1531.jpg
Posted By: anlauto

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/08/10 10:59 PM

Totally the wrong bearing for your column. I agree that their advertisement is wrong as well. Sorry about your luck
Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/08/10 11:00 PM

Thanks, do you know if the correct one is available?
Posted By: anlauto

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 01:06 AM

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
Posted By: gtx6970

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 01:14 AM

Quote:

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



Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 01:38 AM

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.
Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 02:15 AM

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

Attached picture 5915108-Steeringcolumn.jpg
Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 02:18 AM

#2 appears to be for a column shift.

Attached picture 5915120-Steeringcolumn2.jpg
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 02:44 AM

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
Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 02:58 AM

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.

Attached picture 5915202-Steeringcolumn3.jpg
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 03:07 AM

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

Attached picture 5915225-column(26).jpg
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 03:11 AM

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

Attached picture 5915232-z042.jpg
Posted By: conv440

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 03:13 AM

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???
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 03:16 AM

Prepaid only!
Posted By: 70SportSatellite

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 03:43 AM

Quote:

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



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.

Attached picture 5915282-Picture140[640x480].jpg
Posted By: anlauto

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 09:38 AM

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.
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 11:16 AM

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.

Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 12:02 PM

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
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 12:16 PM

Quote:

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



Jules, I have no clue. What are your thoughts? Thanks
Posted By: JulesdaWiperman

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/09/10 12:50 PM

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

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/22/10 04:02 PM

I was wondering if you have a part # for the lower bearing for a 74?
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/22/10 05:18 PM

Quote:

I was wondering if you have a part # for the lower bearing for a 74?



Yes I do, but not here in front of me now. I'll look it up tonight and post it.
Posted By: badblack68

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 01:08 AM


http://www.pepsparts.com/products.asp?cat=14
Posted By: GDB

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 02:34 PM

Thanks i can get plastic ones no problem, i am looking for metal one that came on 74's and was hoping Challenger 1 had a part # if it was still available through Chrysler.
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 03:21 PM

Quote:

Thanks i can get plastic ones on Ebay no problem, i am looking for metal one that came on 74's and was hoping Challenger 1 had a part # if it was still available through Chrysler.



Dug out my reciepts,

The bearing support is 3748229 support S 19054003 list in 3-04 was 7.45 cost was 5.59
Bearing is # 4147318 Bearing S 19014004 list 10.45 cost was 7.84 in 3-04

If I remember right, he coundn't find # for the spring or the clip which I reused. It would not be hard to find a spring to retain the bearing and to make a clip, which is nothing more than a C clip made out of a heavy gauge wire.


These # are off of my receicpts and I'm 99% sure these are right for a 74. I hope they still have em.
Posted By: GDB

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 03:53 PM

wow thats great, thanks. I do need a clip but i am sure i can rig up something.
Posted By: GDB

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 09:27 PM

As a follow up, i called my local Chrysler dealer and there is over a hundred of these listed on inventory at warehouse but the bearing support which i dont need, didnt come up as anything but lots of bearings though. Only $18 Canadian too!!!
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/23/10 09:31 PM

Quote:

As a follow up, i called my local Chrysler dealer and there is over a hundred of these listed on inventory at warehouse but the bearing support which i dont need, didnt come up as anything but lots of bearings though. Only $18 Canadian too!!!




Good news, I maybe order me up another bearing or two, for stock.
The bearing support really shouldn't wear out so I could see them not stocking many of them.
Posted By: prochargedhemi

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 04/24/10 03:27 AM

the new bearing that you get from chrysler is not even close to the original. It may work but the original is a far superior design
Posted By: biginchmotor

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 03/26/11 06:43 PM

I purchased the superseded # bearing 4147318. and I am not sure I am going to use it. It is not a sealed bearing, dirt/moisture can get in, inside diameter is slightly larger then the original making it sloppy on the shaft. Would like to know if someone has the original part # of the bearing before it was superseded to 4147318, John.
Posted By: cataclysm80

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 03/27/11 12:16 AM

Nice Thread, Lots of good info. Been a few years since I dug into a steering column, but I've been thinking about digging in again.

Tav
Posted By: Challenger 1

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 03/27/11 03:31 AM

Quote:

I purchased the superseded # bearing 4147318. and I am not sure I am going to use it. It is not a sealed bearing, dirt/moisture can get in, inside diameter is slightly larger then the original making it sloppy on the shaft. Would like to know if someone has the original part # of the bearing before it was superseded to 4147318, John.



That's weird, because that bearing fit just right on the 2 71 and 74 columns that I have rebuilt.

Yea it's a open design bearing, but that's how Mopar made em.
A little grease packed in em will make last another 25 years.
Posted By: Devil

Re: Challenger steering - lower bearing install help - 10/26/11 03:38 AM

Sorry to dig up this old post. I am going to rebuild my 71 Floor shift column here shortly, and I am trying to convert to the 74 style bottom bearing setup.

I found the bearing available, but the retainer, which I believe is the metal sleeve (3748229) around it is no long available from Dodge. What else might it be on? Any floor shift column post 74?




Thanks
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