Steering Column Bearing Problem: NOTHING fits...

[911 tweaks]

I have a 1973.5 911 that needs a new steering column bearing...I realize this particular car being a mid yr car could have anything in it but both the 65-73 & the 74-89 bearings do not fit & all of the aftermarket solutions ie from Ed Mitchell do not fit...even if I left in the remnants of what ever was in there before...

Here is what I have:
1. 1974-89 bearing #911 347 771 02 o/d = 1.576"...i/d = 0.900"...
2. 1965-74 bearing #914 347 739 02 o/d = 1.616"...i/d = 1.200"...
3. steering column i/d = 1.515 ~ 520"...
4. steering shaft o/d = 0.835-837"...

We are talking a good .050-.065" differences on the i/d & o/d dimensions i need to fit...
Anyone have any ideas...?
What you see remaining in the steering column I removed & all of the tiny ball bearings & a round ring...

After removal of the remnants of old bearing or what ever was in there...

What I removed from i/d of steering column:


I ordered from our host a bottom steering column bearing just in case for some odd reason that may fit on the top...other than that, will I have to get a close in size bearing & have an o/d & i/d sleeve made so the replacement bearing I find will fit...?
thx for any & all help on this one...hopefully I am missing something very obvious here but I don't think so...

[javadog]

Tried 914.347.711.00 yet?

JR

[911 tweaks]

hi JR...yes i tried that bearing which measures 1.616" o/d and 1.200" i/d...
the steering column i/d is 1.515-520" and the steering shaft o/d is 0.835"... this one has me really scratching my head...
So we have column i/d of 1.515" which is smaller than either bearing = p/n 914 has o/d of 1.616"...p/n 911 has o/d of 1.576"...either way the bearing offerings are too lg in diameter by 0.050" to 0.100" difference...that makes these bearings impossible to get inside the steering column...the steering shaft dimension is waaaaay off also to fit either of these bearings...
This is very bazar...

[4flyboy]

You need to communicate with Mitch Leland...... he provides the kit for the steering column on later model cars. He's restored a number of P cars.
Good luck with it, Scott

[911 tweaks]

thx 4flyboy...I have tried all of mitch's products before I removed what ever was in the column & after & none of them worked...
there must be something in the air a/o water around here as i have never seen this before & i have worked on MANY a pcar too...
something is not right for sure...

[rothaus]

Originally Posted by 911 tweaks

I have a 1973.5 911 that needs a new steering column bearing...I realize this particular car being a mid yr car could have anything in it but both the 65-73 & the 74-89 bearings do not fit & all of the aftermarket solutions ie from Ed Mitchell do not fit...even if I left in the remnants of what ever was in there before...

Here is what I have:
1. 1974-89 bearing #911 347 771 02 o/d = 1.576"...i/d = 0.900"...
2. 1965-74 bearing #914 347 739 02 o/d = 1.616"...i/d = 1.200"...
3. steering column i/d = 1.515 ~ 520"...
4. steering shaft o/d = 0.835-837"...

We are talking a good .050-.065" differences on the i/d & o/d dimensions i need to fit...
Anyone have any ideas...?
What you see remaining in the steering column I removed & all of the tiny ball bearings & a round ring...
What I removed from i/d of steering column:


I ordered from our host a bottom steering column bearing just in case for some odd reason that may fit on the top...other than that, will I have to get a close in size bearing & have an o/d & i/d sleeve made so the replacement bearing I find will fit...?
thx for any & all help on this one...hopefully I am missing something very obvious here but I don't think so...

The bearing you have there looks like an early 911.

I fixed my play, and here is how I did it.

Mini DIY - Fixing Steering Wheel Play on Early 911 - Dorkiphus.net

[911 tweaks]

thx rothaus but that bearing would no way no how work on this 1973.5 car...
I double cecked all of my measurements...checked with a local bearing supplier & determined that I could remove some outer bearing material which I did & batta boom batta bing...she is all set now...the inside dimension I miss measured as I put a new battery into my micrometer & got different measurements this AM...hummm...pics after this post...

[911 tweaks]

i/d of steering column...

74-89 bearing...

sanded down 74-89 bearing...

belt sander in a vise...very helpful...

bearing installed...

thx for everyones' help...of to the next project/item... :-)