Do I only need the bearing itself, or should I lay claim to the C-clip, cap, etc.? Or will the OE Camaro parts fit?

JamesC

The Camaro parts fit. Just need the bearing piece. Did this on the '92 and an '87.

RBob.

Thanks, RBob. Any need to lube the bearing?

JamesC

If it's a ball bearing, it will would love to be cleaned and lubed.

Humm, I pulled parts from both a 90 Firebird and a 90's Astro Van. In this instance, the OE thirdgen cap, while having the same diameter, is designed differently on the inside than the Astro cap (the OE has a lip and three small 'fingers') and will not fit the Astro bearing. Also, I've found that the Astro bearings are protected by a seal.

JamesC

I had double checked this prior to my first post here. Now just triple checked it. I have four of the cups, two of the plastic bushings, and one of the ball-bearing styles. All four cups are identical. And have the three rounded fingers that protrude toward the bushing/bearing.

All three bushing/bearings fit within all four cups.

The bearing is from an Astro, while the bushings are from a '78 g-body and an '87 g-body. The '92 Camaro bushing wasn't too bad so it went into the '78 g-body, which was shot.

The rounded fingers in the cup prevent the bushing/bearing from rotating within the cup.

The plastic bushings have a rubber seal on each end. While the bearing only has an internal o-ring.

Not sure why the difference, maybe GM made a running change along the line someplace. Or, there were ones made by a different vendor that changed the design some.

I can post pics if it would help.

RBob.

Probably would. I have one thirdgen cup and bearing. I have one Astro cup and two bearings.

The thirdgen with the 'fingers' simply won't work with the two Astro bearings I have. There's no slot for the fingers. Note the pics.

Just installed the Jeep shaft and the Astro bearing with the Astro cap. Both were perfect fits.

JamesC

That one is completely different. Haven't seen one like that yet. I've pulled four so far (one was bad which is why the extra cup) and they were all the same. First pic is the Astro bearing (shaft exit end up), second the cup (all four are the same), then the Astro bearing in a cup.

RBob.

Thanks, RBob. Don't know if you caught my above edit or not, but the Astro version (and cap) fit fine.

JamesC

James, got it, see it now. Good to hear that the 'different' bearing assembly does fit. It actually should as the columns at this location are no different from the f, g, and what-ever-body of this era.

As for the Astro intermediate shaft, what did you need to do to it? I've found that the stock ones are not only 90* out, but too short.

You know, I do recall something, that the newer year Astros had the intermediate shaft housed in a rubber boot. Was that how this one was?

RBob.

Jeep Cherokee shaft.

Both the bearings I pulled were inside a boot.

JamesC

OK on the Cherokee shaft. As for the column bearings the year is the difference. Those are the late model stuff. Good though that the whole assembly fits our f-body's.

All the bearings I've grabbed are from non-booted column/shaft set ups.

RBob.

RBob, I've read several posts on the Astro shaft (I may try it as well). All mention the 90* out business, but none mention the Astro shaft's being too short. Since it's a collapsable shaft, I assume it can be made to thirdgen length? Thoughts or comments?

JamesC

The early non-booted ones are too short. To use it I purchased a length of double-d shaft to replace the stock shaft. It needs to be turned down on the end for the press fit. And a slot milled for the spring.

It may be that the booted shafts are longer, but I don't know for sure.

Also found that can use a full size vans booted assembly along with an Astro van assembly. Use the upper of one and the lower of the other to make an assembly that is correct length and has the correct index.

Only issue is that the newer upper is keyed to the steering column shaft. So need to remove a little metal to get it to go over the f-body steering column shaft. There are pictures of this in another thread.

I'll put a link here once I find it.

RBob.

Here is the thread I was referring to:

https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/susp...-steering.html

Apparently the booted Astro shafts are long enough. As the shaft in that thread is a booted one, can tell as it is so clean. But still 90* out.

In one of the posts I placed some circles showing the areas that are the keys to the column shaft.

RBob.

Does anyone have a part number for this? having troubling locating one. Thanks

EDIT nevermind

I emailed this guy (he has motive to sell), but he stated the bearing would fit on my 91 bird... I see a lot of people have gotten their hands dirty with this... do you think this will work?

Quote from Seller...
"Yes this lower bearing will directly replace your plastic type with no modifications. Thanks for the question. Regards, CJ"
I see they can custom make too...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/69-95-GM-tilt-non-tilt-New-Steering-Column-Lower-Bearing-100-USA-Made-L-K/141596232085?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140602152332%26meid%3Dad3d2219397e48c9a04316a6f22f0c78%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D9%26sd%3D141494209309

Some more info / pics here on this part...

http://www.kirbanperformance.com/pro...T+%237572.html

1969-1995 GM Cars, including 1969-1988 GM A-Body & G-Body Cars, including 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction UPGRADED UPPER STEERING COLUMN BEARING KIT

This reproduction steering bearing kit replaces the factory GM bushing kit found at the base of the main steering column. It replaces the following four GM parts: adapter #7805822, bearing #7805700, retainer #7804440, and retainer clip #7804439.

It will fit virtually every GM car from 1969 through 1995.

Ideally, you would want to replace this if you are changing the lower steering shaft, or replacing the steering coupler that attaches to the gear box. The reason is, the lower steering shaft has to be removed to slip the old bearing assembly out and install the new one. You do not have to remove the main steering shaft that this bearing kit goes on to.

This reproduction upgraded bearing kit includes everything you need and comes with the bearing already pressed into the plastic adapter. By offering it as a complete kit, it eliminates any issues with having to try to save any of the original related parts when you remove the old bearing.

Over the years, GM has used either a metal bearing or simply used a rubber-like seal that attached on each side of the plastic adapter. Our research shows that it appears GM simply used a rubber-like two-piece seal on all the 1984-1987 Regals and other G-Body cars. Other cars, such as some of the Corvettes, received the upgraded metal bearing, as did many of the GM vehicles in the early 1990s. By upgrading to a metal ball bearing format, it provides a much tighter secure fit and one that will outlast your car!

It comes with easy-to-follow directions.

Another great steering restoration item to tighten up the steering. A very inexpensive upgrade to do.

NOTE - You may also be interested in a related item - #7569 Steering Coupler and #7380 Rebuilt Power Steering Gear Box.

7572 - 1969-1995 GM Cars,
including 1969-1988 GM A-Body & G-Body Cars,
including 1984-1987 Buick Regal (All Models) -
Reproduction Upgraded Upper Steering Column Bearing Kit

As for the actual Astro ones... many people I talked to said it was junk by the time they pulled it off, etc...

Want a new one?

This one worked & fit fine...



I bought the one from ebay, seller cjsrods73j3, currently $45 shipped...
Part # 69-95GM
Item Title: 69-95 GM tilt & non tilt New Steering Column Lower Bearing, 100% USA Made, L@@@K

Current Ebay Auction
http://www.ebay.com/itm/69-95-GM-tilt-non-tilt-New-Steering-Column-Lower-Bearing-100-USA-Made-L-K-/131481158788?vxp=mtr

And now we have the newest most expensive option, the Detroit Speed shaft.

Hmm... I paid $15 for a Jeep Cherokee shaft from the local upull it lot and it does the exact same thing. Even though I had to clean it up I think it was worth the $260 I saved lol!

Hey thanks for the info! I've been wanting to replace my plastic bearing for a while. So you just slide it on right? No dremeling or any hacking? I ask because the last bearing kit I ordered for a jeep would not fit at all lol... and I refuse to dremel out the end of the shaft just to put an incorrect size bearing on lol.

It fits.. No dremel / grinding needed. The seller is a steering column shop, he sells them as custom upgrades to many GM cars, thirdgen F bodies included...

Rafael

Alright cool, I'll go ahead and buy one from the seller next payday... Sorry if it was a dumb question lol, and thanks for the input.

My factory plastic bushing has more play then I would like as is, so hopefully this bearing will take the the slop out. I'll report back when I get mine installed...

I just received this in the mail today and hopefully it fits. I had ordered two other ones before; one from another Ebay seller and one from Amazon. I emailed this guy and told him I saw him on this thread and told him my issue with the other two not fitting at all even with grease; bearing too small. So hopefully this works.

Interested in hearing how this goes. For those who have done it, is there any benefit to making the swap if the plastic one doesn't have very much wiggle to it? That's one of the few things I haven't tried to firm up the steering.

You know, a lot of Detroit Speed's items are expensive, but I just priced this shaft out at Borgeson's, and it's actually a deal through Detroit Speed. Unless you know somewhere that sells borgeson parts for a good deal.

edit: I priced it with a vibration reducing joint on both ends. You can piece it together a little cheaper than Detroit Speed's price.

Ok well the bearing "kit" i got from the third vendor, was exactly the same as the other two. I checked the inner diameter of each of the bearings with a micrometer and they all measured 1". The lower steering shaft is ever so slightly larger in diameter. So I guess I grease up the old plastic bearing thing or hit up the wrecking yards and see if I can find an Astro or Safari van.

Tom, i have an astro van bearing i never used.Its yours if you dont find anything at the JY.Make sure you also take the ring cap retainer thing.The spring/clip should be the same, but i have the whole thing if you want it.
I never tried any other bearing but the astro.

It is because the lower steering shaft was squeezed by the clamping of the intermediate shaft onto it. Can use a file to smooth it some, make sure there are no nicks on it. Sometimes need to use a little force to get the bearing over the end of the shaft.

RBob.

I'll take it. Pm so we can make arraignments.