Steering column dilemma

I am trying to mount the steering column and have come up against a problem I did not plan for...

I have as part of my collection a few steering columns of various types and I had planned to use them in my project.

However, my problem is this; I had intended to use the column tube and indicator from mid 60's but now I come to put this together I realisa that I am missing the bearing and upper end that locates and centres the shaft within the column.

However, I do have these items in a later indicator and ignition lock setup.

Can anyone tell me, before I tear the later indicator assembly apart, whether I can transfer the upper bearing from this to the earlier column? Are there any other components I would need to transfer or source from somewhere? Does anyone sell these items?

Thanks for any help.

Jim.

JIm:

Don't know about inner and outer diameters between early and later years, but I got a replacement top-shaft bearing from Mid-America for my 1969 sedan column and it fit......gn

jim,

i can't exactly picture your issue and don't have any personal experience swapping column shafts but if what you need is a bearing
of particular diameter that can easily be ordered from a "bearing supplier". just measure the inside diameter/outside diameter and
thet'll provide a bearing that suits your purpose. or sleeve what you have with a bushing. good luck.

Don't listen to Bruce ! ! My GOD! You're now heading off to the industrial bowels of New Jersey with an OD measurement looking for help from Mike Jr. over at Tri-County Bearings and Fittings.

The steering shafts from the sixties and seventies are pretty much the same except for the upper splines at the very top. Even if you replace the blinker housing you really ought to order up a "bearing" from AirCooled or Mid-America.

It's not really a bearing but rather metal sleeve or a later nylon bushing depending on the year of application.

Luck,

TC

see tc, you're always taking the easy way out.

ps-watch what you say about jersey, we know where you live

"see tc, you're always taking the easy way out."

You know . . . you're right . . . my Dad always used to get on me for that. I guess that I haven't changed a bit in my old age.

Speaking of my Dad, last year he went down to the house in Clearwater and BANG, a triple by-pass almost the moment that he crossed the Florida state line. This year he went down in October and Boom, a heart attack and pacemaker install after being there for just four days. Last week "they found a tumor under my hat." (His words not mine.) and he went to see a Doctor who just happened to have his own private hospital ! !

WTF? Something in the air? Or water . . . I mean, I'm not complaining here. He collects antique race cars and all of this just puts them one step closer to my garage, but still . . .

TC

Bruce:

You may know where TC lives, but you'se guys STILL hire the "Atwells Ave." hit-men from Providence to do the real "snubbing". We all know dis 'cuz we watch "Da Soprano's", so dere.

Gordon
The soon-to-be "Speedstah Guy" from Rhode Island, again (and can't wait for a good, Federal Hill/Atwells Ave. dinner!!)

remember gordon, thats tv land. if you want a job done right we always use local talent.
you may have a nice dinner but you'll have to come to nj for a good diner.
and another thing, how come you guys move out west/south and forget what good bread tastes like?

Anyway, all this discussion about goodfellas is nice, but to get back to my problem...

I have ordered a bearing kit from CIP, but I'm coming up againat another problem;

When I look at the Bentley manual about the steering wheel it mentions (and shows) a brass washes that sits under the nut that has a reduced diameter section that must be oppostie the indicator arm. I am assuming that this is necessary for cancelling the turn signal. CIP does not have this, and to be honest had never heard of it, does anyone know where I can source one of these?

I suppose I could always make one myself; If anyone has one they could measure for me or lend to me for a week or so...

Cheers,

Jim

PS TC did you get the Type III stuff? I sent it to the address you put on the envelope you sent to me with the foam patterns. Is that right?

NJ...
Good Italian bread, real pizza, egg creams too!
A morning buttered roll, coffee and the NY Daily News for a buck .....Man 'o man, do I miss that!

Jim here the link for the bracket.
www.pro-werks.com/detail.php?name=BAR+MOUNT
cheers!
Joe

Yes Jim!

I got the Type III items . . . I thought that I'd already emailed a "Thanks!". WOW

We found a decent Italian restaurant AND bakery just down the street from our house in Beaufort, and when we get REALLY desperate we get stuff shipped in from Federal Hill in Providence from Constantino's - www.vendaravioli.com - one of our favorite places in the Universe!

BTW: If you want to see Beaufort, just watch the movie "the Big Chill" - filmed in and around downtown - the house is the "Cuthbert House", I believe.......

Sorry for Hijacking the thread, Jim......I didn't have that washer on mine when I rebuilt it, but the top bearing looked to be made of bronze and I believe it was a ball bearing item. It also appeared to make electrical contact with the shaft as a ground point for the horn and I remember it being a pain to get the horn to work consistently (and I still don't think it's totally consistent, either!!)

gn

Thanks for the information gentlemen.

TC, Glad to hear those parts are going to help you out.

Joe, Looked at the website and will give them a call on Monday.

Gordon et al, No worries on 'hijacking' the thread.

I actually think that it is part of the appeal of the SOC forum, and its members, that an single thread can generate so much discussion that is both related and completely unrelated to the initial subject.

It truely is the closest I have found to having a conversation with friends.

Cheers,

Jim.

PS Spent today installing sound deadener and false floorpans in the car. Will post some pictures in a different thread. Let's see where that one will take us...

Jim wrote: "It truely is the closest I have found to having a conversation with friends."

Kind of like being at a local Pub, isn't it?

gn