79 steering column

[radman]

HELP, while trying to repair my loose steering column, i discovered that the
upper bearing had dislodged 3 of its balls that resulted in the wobbly column!
where do you suppose one might find that bearing? i've tried wrecking yards,
my favorite auto parts store, a steering column repair place and even a pick-a
-part. no luck...

any ideas??

 

[CJ]

Does your 79 have a stock column? It's a tilt w/ key?

 

[radman]

yes my column is a tilt that once had a key. (po removed keyworks)

 

[CJ]

I'm not real sure on the year Jeep put the key in the column but - it's just a GM column... Any GM dealership should be able to get a bearing for that column if you have an approximate year...

Just tell them it is for a Camaro or something...

Here are some great guides for getting to that bearing. -->>

Tilt Steering Column Wobble
Tilt Column Repair

 

[radman]

i'm on my way to the local (real) autoparts store armed with new ideas!

thanks, and i'll repost my results!! (?)

 

[baker9713]

if nothing else, try getting a bearing number from it and get it from Miller Bearings or some place like it. You may be able to get it by knowing the dimensions (inside diameter, outside diameter, and thickness).

 

[radman]

local autoparts struck out too! seems none of their parts books show any
layout of column.
measurements are a little iffy because it appears that old race is still in place!
i'll try a gm dealership (yuuuck) tomorrow.
anybody know of a part number or a website to consult with?

thanks

 

[CJ]

Any part like that is usually not an auto counter store item - A GM dealership will be the only place that will have a break down of the parts (as you found out)...

Good luck!

 

[BrockGrimes]

My '79 doesn't have a tilt column. Hmmm.... interesting.
Find the bearing yet?

If not check: https://www.motionindustries.com/
I buy bearings from them often.

 

[radman]

thanks for the website!! mine does have tilt but could have been an upgrade
from previous owner. because bearing came out in pieces i'm not sure (yet)
about its size. going to local gm dealer and try to get part and or number.

beyond this, i'd like to replace column with one that does not have keyworks
in it. that's down the line however.

again, thanks... radman

 

[radman]

went to chevy dealer and they stock the part!! it comes in a kit that repairs
columns that were broken due to attempted theft. not cheap but certainly
less than buying a replacement column! bearing is non standard and has NO
number on it!!

Just Exchange Every Part

radman

 

[BrockGrimes]

Toss up the dealer part# if you have it for reference.

 

[coldwater]

That stupid bearing is a disaster. It's just a rubbery kind of ring that basically spaces the balls out, but dosen't really hold them in place. I don't think I have ever pulled one that didn't toss the tittle balls all over holy hell when you pull it out!

 

[radman]

i agree with the stupid ball bearing concept, but what can you do? my
column coughed up one or two "balls" on the outer bearing and this resulted in
a loose column! now i gotta try to remove the "pivot pins"!

gm part number is 7844651 Rack Kit
the kit replaces both upper and lower (identical) bearings and is for repairing
column post auto theft!
lists for around $60.00

any ideas on pulling pivot pins??
radman

 

[coldwater]

Here's a pretty good overview.
Tilt Steering Column - Super Chevy Magazine

 

[radman]

all is wonderful in CJ5 land!! went to 5 different auto parts stores and turns
out kragen carries a powerbuilt #647073 steering wheel pivot pin remover
(about $8.00) and voila one almost perfect unwobbly gm/jeep steering column!

lisle makes a similar pin remover part number 19940.. couldn't find it locally..

whole process is a bit spendy but i think it was worth it.

make sure that you have some bearing grease handy if you try this, you'll want
to pre lube bearing to hold "balls" in place.

thank you all, radman

 

[CJ]

Glad you have it working well now... Having a tight steering column really helps the Jeep driving experience!

 

[coldwater]

Rock on baby! you're good for the next 30 years now!

 

[dalefan88]

Rock on baby! you're good for the next 30 years now!

that sounds like a tim mcgraw song. in my next 30 years. sorry for posting off topic.

 

[KenB]

Had some serious wobble in my '81 CJ column, so I bit the bullet and tore into it to tighten the bolts. Kind of like radman, I found the bearing had cratered. Biggest piece of the race had 3 balls in it. Went on to check the bolts, and they're tighter than <-BAD WORD->'s hat band. Remembered seeing this thread, and a Part Number!!
Ordered it today from gmpartsdirect.com - $48.01 with shipping.

Now I gotta try to remember how to put all them gizmo's back together when the bearing gets here.

Thanks Radman!