MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

It was an unpleasant experience with this 90 degree weather here in So. Cal., but I did finally installed Astro/Safari van lower steering shaft and upon the recommendation of 841LE here on the boards, also did the lower bearing upgrade instead of using the all plastic stock piece.

Went to the wrecking yard yesterday and struck gold. Picked up three of the lower steering bearings along with the thing retainer spring and lock washer type thing which I don't think it's really needed. After removing both rubber pieces from the bearing which protect the internals, I went ahead and cleaned out all the old bearing grease with Purple Power that I picked up from O'Reily's. Stuff worked great. Once all that was said and done, I rinsed it off with water, blew it out with compressed air and let it finish drying out in the sun for a few minutes before packing in new wheel bearing grease and re-installed the rubber protectors.

With a little persuasion, I managed to slide in the bearing and it's components in. Then the steering shaft went on and fortunately for me, 841LE swapped out the upper part of the shaft with a 4th gen piece so that I didn't have to notch anything, just bolted it on. Below are some pictures I just took of after the work for reference. Btw, I still need to work on re-routing the brake lines but I was too tired from the heat so that's for another day. They are not rubbing up against or touching the headers or steering shaft as it may show otherwise.

thtanner

iTrader: (1)

Nice. I need to put the bearing on my car, it's still sitting next to my desk months later...

Stokes1114

Do you guys know what the part number is for this bearing if I were to buy a new one? Closest JY is 2 hours away.

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

I don't know the part number but you will want to look for an early to mid 90's Astro or Safari van. It's very accessible and removing the lower steering shaft is pretty simple. If you come across a later model Astro or Safari, their lower steering is a bit different and covered by a rubber boot of sorts.

Stokes1114

I have the shaft installed but didnt know about the bearing upgrade. I would much rather have an actual bearing than the plastic crap. Ill try to find a p/n for an astro van. Thanks for the help!

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

I took my car to work yesterday to test out the new steering shaft and bearing operation.


What was I supposed to notice? It felt pretty much the same as before.

LT1/TA

I have saw this in many other threads and I always thought it would make worn out stuff feel better,but I feel there is not much difference vs the original set up.I could understand it on a four wheel drive truck with bigger tires but not so much on f-body's.

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

I'm sure if my car had a rough life on the road and wasn't cared for like any good machine should, I would've noticed a change. At least this stuff will last the remainder of my Camaro service life and into the next generation of family who will inherit it. I kept the old parts just for reference.

Thirdgen89GTA

iTrader: (5)

Unfortunately if you have slop elsewhere you won't notice any improvement.

My new 670 steering gear took care of a ton of play, but the steering still isn't razor sharp like my Focus RS is.

But the RS is just over a year old, and the GTA is approaching 29 years old now so thats kind of expected.

I have all new parts that need to go onto the car, just haven't put them on yet.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Thats the big advantage, longevity.That u-joint will last forever.

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

This was pretty much the reason I did it. I had no "slop" and the car didn't wander when I would keep the wheel straight and let go (in a control and safe environment of course) and the car never wandered. So here's to longevity.

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

UPDATE

Noticed a few drops of oil under the power steering box on the floor. It's now leaking from the rear. Guess now is a good time to remove it and replace it with the 2.25 turn fast ratio box I got a while back. But will sent it out first for a refresh just in case.

Honestly, when I put in the new lower steering shaft, I did have to tap it in slightly to have it seat in properly. I don't think I hit it so hard as to mess something up. Then again, 30 year old seals too.

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

Possible, least it lasted long enough.Dont go generic on the refresh.I had mine rebuilt when Lee (manufacturing) was still doing the work himself.Dont know who filling the gap now that he's out of the business.

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

Someone here on the boards said they took theirs to Oxnard after watching the shop on Wheeler Dealers and did a great job on his steering box. So I may make a trip up there with the fast ratio steering box. I checked out their website and they seem cool.

http://www.rebuildingfactory.com/index.html

84 1LE

iTrader: (9)

I remember that episode.Might be worthwhile.

mike135531bubba

nice work

scooter

iTrader: (11)

You can buy the column bearing new from this seller on ebay

https://www.ebay.com/sch/cjsrods73j3...88.m1543.l2654

I bought two, but I haven't installed them yet

**EDIT** or maybe I did install it, I remember pulling the bushing when I was putting the car back together and I remember packing grease in there. I will have to look and see if I can tell whether I did install it or not

MY87LT

iTrader: (2)

These bearings did not work on my car. I purchased them from three separate vendors and they did not fit at all without trying to remove material from the steering shaft. I'm sure they have worked for other people, but not for mine. I went to the wrecking yard and picked up the correct Astro/Safari van bearing, cleaned it u very well, re-greased it, and installed with no problem.