Tilt column lower bearing - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

mccollum007 · 12-17-2023, 08:53 PM

Hey guys I recently tore apart my junkyard van tilt and modified it to work in my truck along with regreasing and freshening it up but have hit a snag. What I thought would have been a non issue on disassembly turned into my only major hang up on reassembly. I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong putting the lower bearing assembly back in. I have tried what seems like every combination of assembling the bearing and retainer and nothing seems to work. By what I can tell it has to go in the order of plastic retainer then bearing and finally the little metal cap. Can somebody help me out on what I'm missing?

**pjmoreland** · 12-18-2023, 12:30 AM

A clip like this holds the metal cap in place

mccollum007 · 12-18-2023, 08:05 AM

Sorry, I should have been more specific. I've got the little clip and cap they just aren't on in the picture. The hole in the center of the cap is big enough the bearing can just fall right through the middle. What keeps the bearing from just sliding through the cap?

**29od1** · 12-18-2023, 10:20 AM

The bearing has a rounded shoulder that slips into a recess in the white nylon piece. That interference holds the bearing in place. Sometimes it's difficult to drive the bearing into the white part, but if you have something long enough to slip over the steering shaft and contact the inner bearing race, you can drive it in.

mccollum007 · 12-18-2023, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 29od1

The bearing has a rounded shoulder that slips into a recess in the white nylon piece. That interference holds the bearing in place. Sometimes it's difficult to drive the bearing into the white part, but if you have something long enough to slip over the steering shaft and contact the inner bearing race, you can drive it in.

Thanks for the response, so I've got it on correctly in the picture? I just need to press the bearing into the retainer further, correct?

**70shortfleet** · 12-18-2023, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mccollum007

Thanks for the response, so I've got it on correctly in the picture? I just need to press the bearing into the retainer further, correct?

It looks like it is all the way into the plastic retainer, no need to press anymore.

mccollum007 · 12-18-2023, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70shortfleet

It looks like it is all the way into the plastic retainer, no need to press anymore.

Thanks! Glad to know I've got the reassembly behind me.

Orange Crate · 12-19-2023, 02:18 PM

Hhhmmm, on the 72 tilt the bearing looks like it is inside the tube and the plastic retainer is outside. Sorry this is the only service manual I have for tilt. Looks like changes were made on later columns?

**HO455** · 12-19-2023, 03:32 PM

I don't know if these pictures help or not. They're of the lower end of a 72 firebird tilt column. The same but different.

12-17-2023, 08:53 PM	#1
mccollum007 Registered User Join Date: May 2022 Location: Mulberry, AR Posts: 26	Tilt column lower bearing Hey guys I recently tore apart my junkyard van tilt and modified it to work in my truck along with regreasing and freshening it up but have hit a snag. What I thought would have been a non issue on disassembly turned into my only major hang up on reassembly. I cannot figure out what I'm doing wrong putting the lower bearing assembly back in. I have tried what seems like every combination of assembling the bearing and retainer and nothing seems to work. By what I can tell it has to go in the order of plastic retainer then bearing and finally the little metal cap. Can somebody help me out on what I'm missing? Attached Images

12-18-2023, 12:30 AM	#2
pjmoreland Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: CA Posts: 5,289	Re: Tilt column lower bearing A clip like this holds the metal cap in place Attached Images

12-18-2023, 08:05 AM	#3
mccollum007 Registered User Join Date: May 2022 Location: Mulberry, AR Posts: 26	Re: Tilt column lower bearing Sorry, I should have been more specific. I've got the little clip and cap they just aren't on in the picture. The hole in the center of the cap is big enough the bearing can just fall right through the middle. What keeps the bearing from just sliding through the cap? Last edited by mccollum007; 12-18-2023 at 08:22 AM.

12-18-2023, 10:20 AM	#4
29od1 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Wichita, Kansas Posts: 1,050	Re: Tilt column lower bearing The bearing has a rounded shoulder that slips into a recess in the white nylon piece. That interference holds the bearing in place. Sometimes it's difficult to drive the bearing into the white part, but if you have something long enough to slip over the steering shaft and contact the inner bearing race, you can drive it in.

12-19-2023, 02:18 PM	#8
Orange Crate Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Under the Truck Dreaming Posts: 642	Re: Tilt column lower bearing Hhhmmm, on the 72 tilt the bearing looks like it is inside the tube and the plastic retainer is outside. Sorry this is the only service manual I have for tilt. Looks like changes were made on later columns? Attached Images __________________ 72 K20 Custom Camper, D60, 14BFF, full roller 406 TPI w custom built ECU and yes..it has tow hooks...

12-19-2023, 03:32 PM	#9
HO455 Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 10,820	Re: Tilt column lower bearing I don't know if these pictures help or not. They're of the lower end of a 72 firebird tilt column. The same but different. Attached Images __________________ Thanks to Bob and Jeanie and everyone else at Superior Performance for all their great help. RIP Bob Parks. 1967 Burban the WMB,1991 S(stink)-10 Blazer,1969 GTO, 1970 Javelin, 1952 F2 Ford 4X4, 29 Model A, 72 Firebird. 85 Alfa Romeo If it breaks I didn't want it in the first place The WMB repair thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=698377



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