[Mitch Leland]

Mark,

You lost me on why and how to remove the ignition and how that relates to the steering column. I understand the lock-out feature of the ignition at the steering column, I guess I need to remove my steering wheel again to see what you mean.

If the bearings are ball bearings, then if they could fall out they must need grease. Also how could they fall out if the steering column is still in place. It would seem like the bearings should have been needle bearings for this application.

For this set up to work right I would guess that the I.D of the bushing should be fixed or tight to the the steering column, then the O.D. of the bushing would rotate on the bearing race. I bet the ball bearings in time just eat into the bushing since there's only a single point of contact.

Doesn't sound like a real good engineering. Interesting that my steering wheel was tight one day, and lose the next. I had to vacuum the bits and pieces out of the cavity, the bushing just disintegrated. And I was worried about how to get the old one out...