Steering Column Play - Not in the tilt mechanism

[BGKYK5]

Over the weekend I swapped the steering column from my '89 parts truck into my '91 project truck (why? long story, see my blog). I swapped in an XJ steering shaft at the same time. Driving it around I didn't see the improvement I was expecting. After scratching my head and checking everything in the steering linkage, I found that I have about 1/8" play in every direction, not within the steering shaft, but at the base of the column (the tilt mechanism is fine). Has anybody else seen that. It is like the bushing or bearing in the bottom of the column is bad. Are they replaceable? If you tell me I have to pull the column out again I'll punch you in the mouth.



J/K. Go on, give me the bad news I can take it *sniffle, sniffle*

 

[lectric80]

The bearing at the bottom of the column is replaceable, but you will want to remove it from the truck to do it. Sorry to give you the bad news, but they do wear over time. They are a pain to replace, and some parts stores are going to look at you like you are an idiot. Best thing to do is pick up another column and swap it.

 

[archangel939]

I actually just had this done in my 89' Blazer, took about 2 hrs, and $150.

 

[BGKYK5]

I actually just had this done in my 89' Blazer, took about 2 hrs, and $150.

Column swap or bearing swap? Anybody know where to get a bearing?

 

[blazindorito]

I am having this problem right now and this is what I found out. Right where the steering shaft connects to the shaft coming out of the firewall into the engine compartment there is a metal piece with a wire that holds it in place. When you remove that there is a bearing and a plastic NUt ??? (what looks like a plastic nut or washer to hold the bearing from the metal piece before the shaft. The plastic piece is broken which give my steering slop in every direction. I will go to the JY on Saturday and see if I can swap it out.

I'll let you know. If you need pictures I will post just ask.

 

[USSkoval]

I also would like to know how to fix this, as my S10 is developing this issue.

 

[BGKYK5]

I'll let you know. If you need pictures I will post just ask.

Post away!

 

[BGKYK5]

I took apart the bearing on my "spare" column today just to see what it looked like. It is pretty much just how Blazindorito described it.



There is a plastic piece with a roller bearing in it. That plastic piece is held in place with a stamped metal cover and retained with a wire clip. I'll take apart the "bad" one in my '91 and see what it looks like, then I'll probably swap this one into it.

 

[BGKYK5]

BTW, the bearing swap fixed the play issue. In case anybody was interested. I actually did it a while ago, but forgot to post back up.

 

[Wicked Wolf Auto]

is this part available new or only in the JY?? if so where and what is the part number?

 

[dyeager535]

GM part number 7805700 "BEARING, Lwr shift tube"

$21 before shipping from GMPD.

 

[Randy92782]

Man i wanted to say pull the column.

Did this last year on my other truck. Made a BIG difference

 

[Wicked Wolf Auto]

GM part number 7805700 "BEARING, Lwr shift tube"

$21 before shipping from GMPD.

same part# for all years ?? I've got a 76

 

[dyeager535]

That's only from my mid-late 80's parts manual. Can't really say for sure, although someone here might be able to. It didn't seem like the columns physically changed much...