I was working on a friends 66 Chevelle this weekend, and it seems that his UPPER steering column is very loose...

The wheel is tight on the shaft, and the outer column jacket (under the dash, where it is supported) is also very tight.

BUT, I can wiggle the steering wheel/upper portion all around (probably 1/2" + play)... The outer decorative/painted sleeve and turn signal ring (outer painted portion) also move...

Are these bearing available anywhere (I don't recall seeing them in resto catalogues, but I never really looked for them)?

Are they easy to replace (we need to replace the turn signal switch anyway)...


I am not too worried about the safety, because that solid shaft is still connected directly to the rag joint...

Thanks,

Tony

I'm not sure on the 66 but I just rebuildt my 69 column and the upper bearing is only avalible as a part of the turn signal housing.

What I did was just use a socket that was the same size tapped the bearing out and repacked it with grease and reinstalled it into the housing.

You could call your local GM dealer since the lower bearings are only avalible through dealers and never been made aftermarket.

Hope this helps

If you can get the bearing out in one piece, any place that sells industrial bearings would be able to match it up easily.

is it really part of the turn signal assembly? Would it come with a new turn signal (repro?). We need to replace that anyway...

Thanks

The upper bearing is included inside the new turn signal switch.
Also note even with a good bearing if the outter housing has slipped down the shaft it will not hold the bearing up snug to the bottom of the cancel cam causing play. Loosen the two attaching nuts under the dash and pull up on the outter housing to remove the slack.


Rene
66_Malibu