Originally Posted by DADS50
is that screw rubbing the shaft?
...pic...
might be what caused your mast bearing to fail?

No, those are the column shift collar screws and they're close but they don't hit. They're also an inch or two further down the column than the bottom of the mast jacket and actually stopped the bearing assembly and spring from sliding further down.

What I believe happened was that the material between the jacket and bearing assembly deteriorated and the tension of the spring pushed the bearing portion out of the jacket over time.

1951 Chevy 3100
In the Stovebolt Gallery
www.rustyfiftyone.com