Steering column help

Recently bought a 75 c10. Turn signal switch was bad, and noticed the upper column bearing was completely gone.

I bought new bearings and the nylon bushing for the tilt. While I had it apart, I also tightened the 4 screws that commonly come loose. Everything went back together ok (using multiple YouTube videos as reference). Went for a drive and the steering wheel has lots of wobble. Is there something else it could be?

Scratching my head trying to figure this out, especially with new bearings.

Thanks.

Can you define the "wobble" better?

When I did mine in the '79, I discovered that there is another bearing down near the bottom, and monkeying around just up top can upset the spacing needed to keep the shaft from doing what you describe.

Probably need to remove the entire column (not hard per se, just a pita at times) and inspect both ends. It's damn near impossible to my reckoning to do this while in the rig.

There are the two bolts at the column on the dash and all the wiring harnesses to disconnect plus 4 or 5 little-ish sheet metal bolts that hold the plate on the firewall interior, shift linkage if optioned for it and the clamp down at the steering gearbox. Pretty sure from memory that is all it takes.

Also, spend some time with the search feature, others have written about their column experiences as well.

As usual, pictures are always appreciated here and let us know how it goes or if you run into problems. Best of luck friend.

If you hold the upper part of the column still, will it move when the wheel is wobbled?

Radiohead said:

Can you define the "wobble" better?

When I did mine in the '79, I discovered that there is another bearing down near the bottom, and monkeying around just up top can upset the spacing needed to keep the shaft from doing what you describe.

Probably need to remove the entire column (not hard per se, just a pita at times) and inspect both ends. It's damn near impossible to my reckoning to do this while in the rig.

There are the two bolts at the column on the dash and all the wiring harnesses to disconnect plus 4 or 5 little-ish sheet metal bolts that hold the plate on the firewall interior, shift linkage if optioned for it and the clamp down at the steering gearbox. Pretty sure from memory that is all it takes.

Also, spend some time with the search feature, others have written about their column experiences as well.

As usual, pictures are always appreciated here and let us know how it goes or if you run into problems. Best of luck friend.

Click to expand...

Rickf said:

If you hold the upper part of the column still, will it move when the wheel is wobbled?

Click to expand...

No

Looks like maybe something is broken down in there, or a pivot point has left the chat.

LMC has good drawings of the breakdown of all sorts of things. I would investigate that for some insight into how it goes together. I'm off to hang a tranny pan but I will check back later.

My money is an issue with the aftermarket steering wheel adapter. None of the factory levers seem to move when the steering wheel wabbles. If you know what brand wheel & adapter you may be able to find installation instructions and/or a parts list.

This last summer, I helped my neighbor with his '71 column. Non-Tilt, but top had a ton of annoying play in every direction imaginable. He ordered a new top bearing, which I think is the same exact part number as my '83. The new bearing was really a sloppy piece of garbage, and I mean just as sloppy as the one that was in there.

I think he then ordered another bearing from a different supplier and it was the same, sheet metal stamped piece of junk.

His steering shaft measured clean at .625", so it was not worn. I tossed the aftermarket bearings, and ended up using an off the shelf, regular old hardware store flanged bronze bushing with a 5/8" bore instead. It actually fit down in there pretty darn good. I did have to very mildly open up the bore a smidge because it fit the shaft very tight, but with it greased up, it feels right. I can't remember now if I had to take some OD off of the flange or not.

The bottom end of his column was messed with by the previous owner. He had some UHMW pounded up into the tube. I tossed that and turned an 1-7/8" diameter aluminum slug to slide up into the sheet tube, and I bored that end to take the very same bushing. Steering in that truck finally feels right. And, sure, it is not riding on balls, but so what. At least a guy can replace the bushing easily if they wear.

Rickf said:

My money is an issue with the aftermarket steering wheel adapter. None of the factory levers seem to move when the steering wheel wabbles. If you know what brand wheel & adapter you may be able to find installation instructions and/or a parts list.

Click to expand...

Good catch man. I didn’t see that the first time.

Rickf said:

My money is an issue with the aftermarket steering wheel adapter. None of the factory levers seem to move when the steering wheel wabbles. If you know what brand wheel & adapter you may be able to find installation instructions and/or a parts list.

Click to expand...

I will check that first.