Steering column bearings?

[ENafziger]

Has anyone tried to re-build their steering column? I'm getting a clunkety-click-click-thunka-clunk-clack when going over rough roads, etc. I'm almost certain that it's actually play inside the steering column itself. Are there replaceable bearings in there?

--Eric

 

[RSchwarzli]

That isnt normal for these old trucks? :-laf

 

[ENafziger]

That isnt normal for these old trucks? :-laf<!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

Well, might be actually... I never really noticed it until I completely re-did the suspension, sound insulated the interior, and replaced the gearbox and steering shaft. Now things are quiet and smooth enough that the clunking is quite evident. I've had a bunch of other old dodges and don't seem to recall this looseness... hence my thinking that something may be worn in this one. Although, with only 194k, I don't see how it could already be wearing prematurely?

--Eric

 

[RSchwarzli]

I have the same issue. Never noticed it till I did my suspension, insulation, stearing box, front end, and borgeson shaft.



Let me know what you discover. I may want to pay attention to what you find.

 

[HHhuntitall]

I'll have to look, but I think there's a bushing in the bottom end of the shaft through the firewall..... it's usually kept tight by the spring between the rag joint and firewall bushing... . other wise, I'd think it might be some loose wireing running up the steering column bouncing or perhaps a wire connector in that area up to the firewall..... then there should be a bearing/bushing under the steering wheel, and if you have tilt steer, a u-joint of some type under that..... I know in my '84, the whole column itself had worked loose, and would slightly move up and down, forward and back. Not much to do for it but some rubber splicing tape around the column where it clamps to the dash.....

 

[Bob4x4]

Used to be able to buy all the individual pieces for both the std and tilt columns. Just about all the pieces have gone belly up in the parts system for the 1st gen columns.

The tilt columns are a Gm set up,I know I used Dodge parts on my brother in laws 78 Chevy after an attempted theft.

 

[ENafziger]

Let me know what you discover. I may want to pay attention to what you find.

I was actually hoping you had already dove into this and had a full picture descriptive write-up on what I needed to do. It maybe something akin to a snail racing a slug as to whether you or I get to it first... I think we both have at least one or two other things we're into with higher priorities.

Mine isn't a tilt column, so it should be simpler. Hmmm, well it's not really very pressing, I was just wondering if someone had ventured this way before...

--Eric

 

[Bob4x4]

With the STD column you will have to build yourself a puller to remove the upper housing
With the tilt you can still buy all the tools needed

 

[RSchwarzli]

I was actually hoping you had already dove into this and had a full picture descriptive write-up on what I needed to do.

:-laf You are a funny boy! No. Have nothing to show on that. Yet.

I think we both have at least one or two other things we're into with higher priorities.

Yup. Rumor has it I might be ordering a 5600 in the next day or so... . Thats priority as the gut bag is being just that.

 

[ENafziger]

With the STD column you will have to build yourself a puller to remove the upper housing
With the tilt you can still buy all the tools needed<!-- google_ad_section_end -->

Hmmm... this may be a project for cold winter day then. Thanks for the info!

--Eric

 

[Bob4x4]

Whoops... 91 was the year they changed

You are going to get creative

That was the year they went to the throw away design

 

[RSchwarzli]

Throw away... . gotta love that style.....

 

[ENafziger]

Whoops... 91 was the year they changed
You are going to get creative
That was the year they went to the throw away design<!-- google_ad_section_end --> <!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

:/ Well, hmmm, just makes it all that much more of a challenge I suppose. Thanks again!

--Eric