The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Automatic Steering Column

A few months ago I bought a automatic steering column from someone. It was in very good shape I was happy with it and I still am. I finally got to where I need to paint it so I started taking it apart and now I have some questions.

First thing is of course the turn signal is broke and I hate those after market ones so if anyone has an original one let me know.

The other thing I was wondering is should I take it farther apart and clean the hole thing up. I was afraid to, I thought that maybe there is a spring in there and didn't want to mess with it.

I have it apart enough to paint the parts that need to be the color of the dash.

Thanks for the help.

I take it that you have a 60's type column? I used a 67 column in my 52 panel and before I put it in I took it apart and put new bearings in it. I took a half dozen pictures as I took it apart which came in handy later but no biggie. Its fairly straight forward.
Here is a pic of what mine looked like. You can do it.

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/68SteeringColumn.jpg

http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r19/LutherParris/52Panel/June172009005.jpg

Not sure if this will help you with whatever model you have but maybe??

Mine is out of a 65 looks just like yours thanks for the pics I will go ahead and take it apart and clean it up maybe get bearings.

climberman, when I ordered my bearings I got ONE bearing and ONE bushing. The bushing went at the bottom. Double check when you buy the bearing that whoever the vendor is sells you TWO bearings.
The brass bushing I got that goes in the bottom is OK but I rather have the bearings as was advertised. Just double check with the vendor.
Good luck.

I took my column apart but I only found one bearing at the bottom and a bushing at the top.

I was not able to remove the bearing from the part that it is connected to do I buy the hole thing. I found one on line for 113 dollars. It is called a mast jacket.

Can't answer you specific question but maybe this will help.

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cbe/full.aspx?Page=41

I don't buy much from LMC but do like their catalog pictures.
I do NOT know for sure but surely there is a way to change the bearing rather than buy the whole set up.

...Tony Smith specializes in the retto's of the 60's models. I've met him and visited his shop not to long ago at one of the Kansas City Reunions. I think he goes by 4-5-6 Chevy here on the bolt. Look through this forum and you'll find him. He is the guy who will know for SURE what it going on and he also, just so you know, has some parts for your model that he has made and sells that others don't. Perhaps it'd be wise to give him a call/PM/email.