steering column lower bearing

[74kay5]

I was doing an XJ steering shaft swap which went great, but decided to check the lower bearing adapter and parts on the column next to the firewall. I removed the lower bearing and greased it and put it back. The problem is that whenever I tug on the steering column from the engine side even a little there is about a 1/2" movement and the bearing slides down and out of place. With the steering shaft in place it seems to stay put, I just don't want to be driving down the road and have it flop around loose.
This is the area I'm talking about

 

[bp71k5]

It sounds like you might have a loose bolt on top of the steering wheel?

The clip and cap on the bottom end is what keeps it in place and it looks like yours is still there so it should be ok.

Edit, sometimes that clip in your picture "looks" like it's fully seated but isn't. Try checking it. The cap should keep the bearing from coming out.

 

[74kay5]

The way it went together the spring, adapter, and cap and clip go on, then the bearing. The cap doesn't seem to be keeping it in place at all but maybe it's the clip. I'll double check.

It sounds like you might have a loose bolt on top of the steering wheel?

The clip and cap on the bottom end is what keeps it in place and it looks like yours is still there so it should be ok.

Edit, sometimes that clip in your picture "looks" like it's fully seated but isn't. Try checking it. The cap should keep the bearing from coming out.

 

[bp71k5]

I'm pretty sure the clip and cap is supposed to go on after the bearing goes in. Maybe that's why there's extra clearance?

 

[folkenheath]

I know this is old, but did anyonever ever figure this out? Was it a worn cap or something? I have the exact same issue, I was pulling the shaft off the column and the shaft inside the column slipped out an inch with the bearing. The output shaft can slide down until it hits an inner stop, you can push it all back in place, and it works fine, but I am worried it is going to pop out at the worst moment. It appears the cap is supposed to hold the bearing in, but it doesn't. Is this the case? Thanks.

 

[74kay5]

I know this is old, but did anyonever ever figure this out? Was it a worn cap or something? I have the exact same issue, I was pulling the shaft off the column and the shaft inside the column slipped out an inch with the bearing. The output shaft can slide down until it hits an inner stop, you can push it all back in place, and it works fine, but I am worried it is going to pop out at the worst moment. It appears the cap is supposed to hold the bearing in, but it doesn't. Is this the case? Thanks.

I can't remember what I did to fix it. I think it was a clip seating issue. You have to make sure everything is straight and didn't get tweaked, and make sure the clip is seating where it's supposed to, and not only partially holding on.

 

[folkenheath]

I can't remember what I did to fix it. I think it was a clip seating issue. You have to make sure everything is straight and didn't get tweaked, and make sure the clip is seating where it's supposed to, and not only partially holding on.

So was the cap supposed to hold the bearing in? Or did the bearing go behind the cap and the clip hold the bearing in too?

Thanks.

 

[74kay5]

So was the cap supposed to hold the bearing in? Or did the bearing go behind the cap and the clip hold the bearing in too?

Thanks.

I think that it must hold the bearing in, but I don't want to take mine all apart again to find out. I did have to straighten the cap a little to get the clip to seat.

 

[folkenheath]

Thanks, I might have a different cap in the attic. I'll see if that one holds it in better.