steering column lower bearing

[dalefan88]

well i found out where the rest of the slop is in my steering. the lower bearing is bad and as in theres no bearings at all. it rusted so bad and just turned to rust dust lol. how hard is it to change. i never changed one before and it seems like i can only order it online i checked my work and we cant get it. shouldnt other gm cars and trucks have the same one?

 

[Torxhead]

I have replaced mine with one that I got from 4WD Hardware, it did involve a steering wheel teardown and I had to use a repair manual to see an exploded view. there was quite a bit of dirt in there and the bearing was shot. I noticed that bearing was quite exposed and accessible to dirt after assembly, so I did wrap electrical tape around it to try and protect it.

 

[PaRenegade]

There should be a rubber dust boot that goes over it too.
The bearings, or actually it's just 2 curved square pieces that fit over each end of a pin, aren't hard to change, they make a rebuild kit for them. The tuff part is separating the splined connection to the steering rod. You have to remove the bolt that goes thru and keeps it from separating, and then grab a long thin punch and a hammer and go to town.
I could not separate either the top or bottom joint so I had to take it out with the whole steering column from inside. Clean the splines well and use anti-seize for re-assembly.

Get kit #5, it has a new boot too.
http://www.quadratec.com/jeep-replacement-parts/jeep-steering/cj-steering.php

 

[dalefan88]

Ok thanks guys can't wait to get it fixed and have good steering after this everything in the steering will be new

 

[dalefan88]

Got the bearing kit In today. Hope this isn't a pita job.


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[dalefan88]

Well shaft came off easy the bearing won't budge


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[dalefan88]

After hours of spraying pb blaster and pounding I finally got it changed. Seems like all the slop is out of the steering wheel. I havent had a chance for a test drive yet.


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[roger big jeep]

what i did was git a seald bearing from the part store for 7 dollers for a 1'' shaft an the out side fit in the colum iturnd down the shaft a lil an the in side of the bearing so it slid over good anput it in weld some takes on so it cant move works like new to git all new parts from the dealer it was 180 to git it on line it was 40 i fixt it for 7 an u would never know i did it less u know what to look for