I to changed both bearings in my 97. Sometimes it would lock up in the middle of a turn untill I forced it then a loud crunch and it was fine.

My advice for changing them is take your time, alot of small parts in there.

Good luck! I hope it all goes well!

 

Thanks and welcome to FTE. I got it all apart, its just I dont have all the parts to get it back together lol.

 

Instead of trying to order the specific bearings, why not order the whole update kit from Ford. See below

http://www.thedieselstop.com/faq/949...les/962301.pdf

 

Whats that price wise?

 

Well the penny pincher in me came back out... Going to get the right bearing and the bushing and some other bushing thing that was totally destroyed. Gonna go order it from the local ford dealer tomorrow.

 

Mine did this like a year ago. I just put the whole steering collum out of my parts truck in. Now it has started again -_- my question is would it be easier to do it on the old collum then switch them or do it on the one currently in the truck

 

$62 and done.

Ford Parts - TascaParts.com

 

I'd do it on your spare then swap it in. In this way you can still drive it to get more parts, milk, bread..... 'K ok..... beer while working on the spare...

jrc

 

This is good Karma because you need to do both as the bearings and races are pretty cheesy bits and if the top is done then the bottom will be going out soon too. The top on mine (see pix in write up) had ground down and fell into the bottom...

Thinking if you just change out the top it will be snug (like it should), however it will act as a fulcrum and putting excessive wear on the bottom (as it will be loose and warn).. and will require replacing sooner than if you did both at once... MO.

The good news now is you can do both.... i'd not cheap out on steering components.... tires and brakes sure... not steering.... hahaaa kidding...

jrc

 

Lol no your 100% correct, Im doing this just to get the truck by for now, My steering wheel is warn pretty good and all so im thinking when the other piece starts to go, I will just pull one from a yard bc i kinda dont have the time right now to be fussing with it, I have a backhoe that needs a piston and a head, on top of doing other stuff

 

Be careful with a used one. My used one only lasted a few months.

 

I will if thats what it comes to but if I get a used one I can change the bearings and still have the truck going at the same time then just swap them out

 

A definite advantage!!! What I need to do as soon as my days stop going by in 2 hours flat lol

 

I had this issue i took the bottom cover and the ball bearings fell out. so I got a used one for free so i went with it swapping columns is easy. Ive heard the way you get in your truck can wear out the bearings like grabbing the wheel to pull yourself in wears them out sooner.

 

Well I got it all together and feels great thanks for the help