The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts 1970 C50 steering column upper bearing

The upper steering column bearing let go today on my 70' C50 (has been loose for a while) is the bearing the same as a pickup and where can I get one??? also looks like something is missing , isn't there a spring or collar that holds pressure against the bearing?? mine has just the snap ring then the cancle cam/horn ring rides on the bearing. I'm asking because the bowl is loose also even though the screws were tight.Has any one got a pic of a exploded view of the column?? Thanks :confused:

If it is the same as a pick-up, try one of the parts vendors. There are dozens out there, but a few are:

Athey's

LMC

Golden State


LMC has pretty good pictures in their catalogs. Some catalogs may be view-able online.

How can I find out if they are the same ? they look the same but I was wondering if the bearings may be bigger in a big bolt? the bearing looks simular to other older GM stuff I have seen.

You could try your local Chevy Dealer, especailly if you know of one who deals in larger trucks. The part is most likely dis-continued, but it still may be on some old books. If you can get someone there with a little patience, he may have the answer for you. GMC should be the same and you may have better luck calling an old GMC dealer.

If that doesn't work out, you may want to go with a good used one. Preferably one with lower mileage.

I looked at the picture on LMC's web site The column looks different but they show a shift on the column and tilt hard to tell if it is the same as a pickup?? I saw one from a 64 impala on ebay that looks the same. I thought there were a lot that were the same in gm ,just don't know if the larger trucks were the same.

According to `67 shop manual, pick ups, vans, tilt cabs & P-models do NOT have the same steering column.
C40 C50 C60 are the same.

I believe that bearing is the same as the smaller trucks. The legth of the column will vary.

Toomany2count I sent you a PM

Close, but the bearing in that picture is different. my column dosen't have the lockplate. I think the truck column is like the older car columns like 64/65 full size GM cars. my bearing is just tin with some ball bearings inside you can see the ball bearings (some are missing on mine)

Junk yards generally have books (sorry can't recall the name of these books) that cross reference part numbers. You look up your part, & the book provides you w/ the part number & a list of other vehicles & the years they were used in. From the description you provided, you have the tin cage w/ round ball beaings? When the cage is slipped off the shaft, the only thing that holds the ball bearings in the cage is grease? If so, these are very common. Is your tin cage in good shape? If so, measure the diameter of it, count how many ball bearing slots it has. Better yet; If you or someone you know has a micrometer, measure a ball bearing & get back to me. I have some & will gladly give'em to you if they fit your application.

What really grabs my attention is you mentioned that "the bowl is loose even though the bolts were tight". I suspect ball bearings falling out is a symptom which resulted from the loose bowl. You'll need to look into why your bowl is loose as the root of the problem. From my experience w/ steering columns, if everything seemed right, but the bowl was loose, It was due to wear at the lower end of the steering column. Does the seal in that bottom area look like it leaked grease out of it? Does it look like dirt & water got in there? These are tell tale signs of lower end wear.
Here's how you can check it: With the lower end of the steering shaft coupler disconnected, Have someone watch the bowl while you pull hard & jerk back & forth on the end of the steering shaft @ the coupler. If that person sees the bowl move while your doing this, The lower end of the coulmn is probably worn as that will usually wear b4 the area in the bowl will. Unless someone was previousely in that bowl area & removed & or added the wrong grease to the bearings & shaft. This is unlikely, but possible. Also when your pulling/ jerking on the end of the shaft, the shaft in & out movement (end play) should be minimal). Also try moving the shaft around in a circular motion. Jerk it up & down & side to side to check for slop. There should be zero slop.
On a final note; I've done this test on 80's mopar trucks with the steering assembly completely assembled & all the parts were there. You mentioned that you weren't sure if you were missing a spring or something. Hmmmmm.
I'm looking @ a **** poor pic (Fig 18) in my `67 shop manual & the only spring it shows in the column is in the lower end.

Here's the Dissembly & Assembly instructions:

Disassembly--40-50-60 Series (Fig. 18)

1. Loosen lower bearing clamp, push steering shaft slightly upward and remove snap ring retainer at upper mast jacket bearing.
2. Slide steering shaft out of mast jacket from bottom, along with lower bearing clamp, seal spring and retainer seat.
3. Loosen turn signal switch retaining screws and remove turn signal switch housing and switch assembly.

Assembly:

1. Install turn signal switch and housing assembly on upper end of mast jacket.
2. Position clamp, seal, spring, lower bearing and lower bearing on steering shaft. (Yea I typed that correct. I think the last "lower bearing" was supposed to be "lower bearing retainer or clamp?).
Note: Lubricate seal with a silicon grease.
3. Carefully insert steering shaft into mast jacket from bottom.
4. Install upper mast jacket bearing retainer (snap ring) in groove in the steering shaft.
5.Adjust lower mast jacket bearing as outlined under "Maintainence and Adjustment".

Mast Jacket Lower Bearing Adjustment:

1. Loosen clamp on steering shaft.
2. Adjust clamp to allow steering shaft and play indicated in specifications section.

Steering specs for 40-50-60 (Except T) Models:

Lower Mast Jacket Bearing Adjustment .005 - .030

Ok, found out why the bowl was loose. one of the tabs that holds it was broken off. I found the pice and welded it back together. just need the upper bearing now.

my bearing is like 2 pices of tin stamped together sm balls insidethe tin is cracked not usable

Toomany 2count just got your PM, Thanks!It's people like you that make this a great place to be!