Steering Upper Shaft Bearing Question

[pschreyer]

1982 CJ8 , non-tilt, manual steering. I am trying to put a new lower bearing on my steering shaft. There is a piece at the bottom of the shaft blocking the way. It almost looks like the old bearing fused to the shaft, but I have seen other shafts with this piece, and others without it. What am I missing?

 

[CJ]

Yep, that's the race from the bearing. A quick cut with an abrasive disk from a Dremel or another tool will relieve the tension and allow you to remove it.

 

[pschreyer]

Yep, that's the race from the bearing. A quick cut with an abrasive disk from a Dremel or another tool will relieve the tension and allow you to remove it.

Thank you very much. Always a challenge.