Steering Column Snapring

[Coronet 14]

Well finally got the car off jackstands. Test drove it and the steering wheel was not turning the way it should. So I pulled the steering wheel off and found a broke snapring. The book says it's the steeriing shaft bearing upper snapring. The rubber behind it is a little torn. Does anyone know what size it is and where I can get one Thanks

 

[themechanic]

Take it down to the hardware store like Ace and they can match it. Or, buy the assorted kit from a local parts store.

 

[Bigal75]

yep, generic size will work.

 

[Coronet 14]

Thanks guys. If this dosen't solve I will have to replace bearing. Is that a hard job to do Thank

 

[Coronet 14]

The snapring isn't the issue. The Upper bearing is what is making noise and binding. The book just shows taking the column out of car and taking it apart. Can this be done in the car. Thanks

 

[1911pro]

The snapring isn't the issue. The Upper bearing is what is making noise and binding. The book just shows taking the column out of car and taking it apart. Can this be done in the car. Thanks

Not sure on doing it in the car. Megaparts.com has all the parts and the installation tool.

 

[Bigal75]

It's super easy to change.

I'm not sure about doing it in the car. You have to get the bearing out. Alot easier to do when the shaft is disconnected

 

[Coronet 14]

I ordered the bearing and tool. The only question now is can this be done with the column in the car

 

[Bigal75]

Taking the column out is really easy.

 

[Meep-Meep]

Yes, not a terrible job and can be done in the car. Snap ring should be a hardware store item but the bearing is somewhat unique. Also note that rubber grommet around the bearing has a staple in it. This is to create a path to ground for the horn.

 

[Coronet 14]

Right now the tool is on backorder from Mega Parts. I may try to fab one up

 

[Coronet 14]

Rigged up a puller and got the collar off. I thought the bearing was on the shaft but it sits in the collar.

 

[themechanic]

 

[Coronet 14]

I'm trying to put this back together and having issues. I'm putting the collar on then put the bearing on steering shaft. Drawing the shaft up through bearing like the Manual says. When the collar is screwed into the lock housing the Steering Wheel will bind while turning wheel but if the screws for the lock housing are loose or I take them out. The Steering Wheel won't bind while turning wheel. I can move the steering shaft in and out. Thanks

 

[Bigal75]

I'm trying to put this back together and having issues. I'm putting the collar on then put the bearing on steering shaft. Drawing the shaft up through bearing like the Manual says. When the collar is screwed into the lock housing the Steering Wheel will bind while turning wheel but if the screws for the lock housing are loose or I take them out. The Steering Wheel won't bind while turning wheel. I can move the steering shaft in and out. Thanks

Sorry, this is tough to read, did you get this fixed?

 

[Coronet 14]

Haven't figured it out yet. I may remove the small pin in the steering coupler. Maybe that will give the Shaft more room to move. Column is still in car. I'm thinking that the bearing may not be seating properly even though the Collar can be screwed into the other Collar. I think that the bearing isn't far enough down on the shaft

 

[Coronet 14]

Got that part working. The Lock plate was hitting the inside of the collar. I took my Dremel tool and grinded down some of the webbing. I used some large washers and a Lower Control arm steel sleeve. Then used the steering Wheel nut to draw the shaft through the Collar. Also painted shift indicator. The Column will still have to come out. The Coupler boot is ripped and Grease is coming out of the tear. Sorry Pics are not in order. Thanks all for the help on this

 

[Bigal75]

So it's all good?

 

[Coronet 14]

Yes that part is fixed. Only took me a week to figure out.