Steering column bushing

mickey356 · 07-18-2009, 03:49 PM

I did a search and based on what I've read and what I just noticed tonight [steering column play of 1/4-1/2" up and down and 1/8" side to side] I'm going with a shot steering column bushing. I order the "quick fix" bushing already and read the procedure. My question is - Is it OK to drive the car this way for a bit while I wait for the part? It doesn't seem like much damage could be done but then after all it is the steering and I'd really hate to lose that while driving

!

Flat6pac · 07-18-2009, 04:12 PM

You want the 928 347 739 02 part is metal where the aftermarket is plastic. Easy install and its been running llike that for some time so youre not hurting anything.
Bruce

aston@ultrasw.c · aston@ultrasw.c's Garage

I don't think there is any risk. The steering column is pretty stout.

The quick fix bushing is great! You will just need to find a piece of tubing with the right ID to tap it into place.

mickey356 · 07-18-2009, 04:33 PM

Whew! I hate the idea of not driving my car. I figured I was safe but then I've been wrong before so I just wanted to check.
I did in fact order the metal one (porsche) and not the aftermarket one. And thanks for the tubing tip. It doesn't look like a terribly difficult job hopefully the bushing will come in close to the time my steering wheel adapter does and I can knock both out at the same time.

msk1986911 · 07-18-2009, 05:18 PM

Grease the bushing before it is installed.

mickey356 · 07-18-2009, 07:33 PM

Good point. Thanks.

Seriously, this site is just invaluable. Yes, I'm a newbie to this and I know there is soooooo much to learn at first, but it's awesome to have a question/issue and have help literally in minutes. And GOOD help at that.

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Mickey,

You might have missed this thread on your search: Mitch Leland's Steering Wheel Bushing

mickey356 · 07-22-2009, 01:30 PM

It's never as easy as it seems is it? So I got my new bushing (one from PP and one from Mitch just to cover my bases) and I go to fix my steering wheel slop today. All goes well with the disassembly and install. Button everything back up and the wheel is waaaaaayyyyyy too tight. I take everything apart and make sure I didn't overlook anything. Nope. All good. Still waaaayyyyy too tight. Turns out the column bearing to shot too. It looks like the only reason I've been able to turn the wheel in the first place is because the bushing was cracked/split and therefore allowing it to turn. I guess when it finally crumbled it got sloppy.
Is this common? I mean I understand the plastic bushing breaking up over years of vibration, heat, cold, etc... but the bearing I would think is a lot more durable, no? Has anyone out there ever had to replace the bearing in the turnsigna l/ wiper switch housing? Any help is much apprecitated.

thebng · thebng's Garage

I had the same problem. Upon really close inspection, I noticed that I debris from the original white plastic bushing lodged in the bearing in the column. My air compressor made quick work of the residual from the original bushing and I haven't had a problem since. Might be your issue as well.

mickey356 · 07-22-2009, 03:38 PM

When I took the wheel off there was a good amount of debris sitting there from the old bushing and the first thing I did was grab the air comp and spray it with the gun. I may have inadvertently blown some in between the race and the collar or gunked up the ball bearings? I can try to clean it out but its pretty stuck right now.

It's the steering shaft and not the entire column. Or at least I don't feel anything else moving (the housing etc.... sits still), its just the wheel that moves.

Has anyone ever replaced this before?

Mitch Leland · Mitch Leland's Garage

Mickey,

I don't think you can ruin this roller bearing since it doesn't see much work. Unless it got wet and rusted up. Have you tried to wet it down with rust penetrant and turn the inner race. If you get it freed up then you could blow it out real good and work in some wheel bearing grease.

Maybe someone knows how to remove the bearing from the top of the column which would make servicing the bearing much easier.

mickey356 · 07-23-2009, 01:25 PM

Yea Mitch, I hit it with penetrating grease spray and let it sit for awhile and it still isn't moving. I don't know if something's wedged in there or if a couple of the ball bearings got oblong and bound up, who knows. I guess the only way to find out is to remove it and since it's only a $30 part why not replace it if it's out?
So I'm still wondering if anyone has ever removed/replaced one of these? Could it be that I'm the first? Oh Goodie!

mickey356 · 07-26-2009, 08:07 PM

After extensive searching I finally found an old post (ended in early 08 and like an idiot I didn't cut and paste it) that covers this PITA upper steering column roller bearing. It was a little confusing to me because I think the term "bushing" and "bearing" were being used for the same thing, which they are not. Because of KTR's (?) very informative posts and pics I can see that the original BEARING came with a BUSHING (the plastic piece that inevitably falls apart) attached to it. KTR says that the only way to get the upper bearing out is to remove the steering column all together. Which he adds is a HUGE PITA!
Another poster told of how he removed the plastic cover under the steering column, drilled a 1/4'' elongated hole in the column tube, inserted a rod and tapped the bushing out that way. That sounds doable to me.
Has ANYONE else done this any other way? Has anyone else ever freed up a sticky upper steering column bearing?
I am not a big fan of the steering wheel play and want it gone.
Just to recap- I have both the metal "quick fix" sleeve and one of the bushings that Mitch Leland makes. I've only tried to install Mitchs bushing so far and when I install the bushing and reinstall the steering wheel and steering column 27mm nut, the wheel is waaayyyy too tight, dangerousy so. If I don't tighten down the nut the wheel turn relatively free. So this all leads me to think that the roller bearing is frozen (or partially frozen) and needs replacing. I say this because the bushing should "tie" the column to the inner race of the roller bearing and turn freely. The column and bushing turn together in harmony with the inner race of the roller bearing, yes?

mickey356 · 07-28-2009, 09:47 AM

Just so everyone knows, you CAN remove the upper steering column roller bearing without removing the steering column assembly.

In all fairness to a previous poster that suggested it could be done by drilling a small hole under the steering column tube and tapping it out, I didn't attempt that way, but it was going to be "plan B".

It's not pretty but I did get it done. I started by drilling two holes in the bearing case and screwwing two screws in to use as leverage. Well, that didn't quite work out so I then got out the dremel and ground out the outer race to "free it up". Once that was done I used to the two holes and some picks to pull the bearing out. It was tough. I WAS ugly. But it did come out and the other went right in no problem. I'm not saying I'm proud of the craftsmanship but it only took about an hour to do start to finish.

I packed the new bearing with plenty of grease and just went ahead and used the original bushing that came with it because it also acts as the backing of the bearing. So I'll save Mitchs bushing and the "quick fix" sleeve for another day or a fellow pelican in need.

Here's the old bearing after I finally got it out. All in all a pretty clean job wouldn't you say?

rusnak · 02-25-2011, 10:23 AM

I guess you crossed the Rubicon, so to speak, early on in that job. I'm glad it worked out. I don't think I'd have had the guts to do that given how horrid the steering column removal is.