steering column bearings
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
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From: Santa Clarita
steering column bearings
I have a 1973 automatic transmission 4x4 steering column in my 1975 4x4 crew cab. The VIN of the 1973 F-250 4x4 highboy that this steering column came out of is F26YRS23853.
I have removed the upper steering column bearing and see that it is the C3DZ-3517-A style as shown in this photo:
A repro C3DZ-3517-A upper style is available from Carpenter and sold by NPD so I will purchase one of those.
However, the lower steering column bearing (as pictured below) is the F23Z-3517-B style, sold at NPD along with the D1AZ-3518-A / E2AZ-3518-C rubber sleeve.
Aftermarket all steel replacement lower bearings such as this one sold at NPD, this one on ebay, this one sold by WildHorses4x4, or this one from BroncoGraveyard say they fit 1974 (or 1976) - 1979. Why do they not fit 1973? or do they? My lower column doesn't have any tabs that these could mount into so I'd have to drill holes. Would one of these all steel replacements work as my lower column bearing or should I just use F23Z-3517-B & E2AZ-3518-C?
I have removed the upper steering column bearing and see that it is the C3DZ-3517-A style as shown in this photo:
A repro C3DZ-3517-A upper style is available from Carpenter and sold by NPD so I will purchase one of those.
However, the lower steering column bearing (as pictured below) is the F23Z-3517-B style, sold at NPD along with the D1AZ-3518-A / E2AZ-3518-C rubber sleeve.
Aftermarket all steel replacement lower bearings such as this one sold at NPD, this one on ebay, this one sold by WildHorses4x4, or this one from BroncoGraveyard say they fit 1974 (or 1976) - 1979. Why do they not fit 1973? or do they? My lower column doesn't have any tabs that these could mount into so I'd have to drill holes. Would one of these all steel replacements work as my lower column bearing or should I just use F23Z-3517-B & E2AZ-3518-C?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 345
On my 1972 f250 4x4, my upper bearing was good. For my lower, when I would look up the part that was supposed to be in it, it would look different. I ended up just pulling it out and measuring it and then seeing the measurements under the part listing. I ended up getting the F237-3517 bearing from NPD. Their part # was 3517-4a. I could never get a straight answer on the bearing sleeve from them by email. So, I got E2AZ-3518-C from DC for the bearing sleeve. My truck has a manual steering column and I dont know the differences. I would get whatever measures out correctly. Good luck.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 70
From: Santa Clarita
On my 1972 f250 4x4, my upper bearing was good. For my lower, when I would look up the part that was supposed to be in it, it would look different. I ended up just pulling it out and measuring it and then seeing the measurements under the part listing. I ended up getting the F237-3517 bearing from NPD. Their part # was 3517-4a. I could never get a straight answer on the bearing sleeve from them by email. So, I got E2AZ-3518-C from DC for the bearing sleeve. My truck has a manual steering column and I dont know the differences. I would get whatever measures out correctly. Good luck.
As far as the ebay bearing is concerned, I heard back from the seller how to get the bearing to fit in my steering column:
"remove that stock metal part that you show in the picture (below). To do this, wire brush the column tube so you can see the spot welds and drill them out with a 1/4 inch drill. Then, my bearing will fit in place and can be spot welded or you would likely have to drill three more holes to match the bolt holes in my bearing. Your column tube and shaft are the same dimensions of later models."
I know that the dimensions of the 73 and 75 steering columns are the same since I swapped them between my trucks, so why so many places say they fit 76-79 or 74-79 is puzzling. Maybe the 76-79 columns don't have the lower piece welded in place to help hold the bearing in place?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 345
I figured the bearing and sleeve was in there for almost 50 years so I am just putting what came out back in. So, youre using the ebay styled bearing that you showed above? Im sure that will last a long *** time as well. I havent even put my column back together yet but I did test fit the bearing and sleeve as soon as I got it. I ended up guessing on the sleeve from DC because NPD wouldnt give me a straight answer. I got tired of doing email tag for a few times. So I just moved on. I got lucky and all is well.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 887
Likes: 70
From: Santa Clarita
I have both the ebay bearing and original style getting shipped to me.
The easier, faster path is to use the original style and that is what I'm leaning towards but maybe I'll change my mind. I'll figure out for sure which route I want to go after they arrive.
The easier, faster path is to use the original style and that is what I'm leaning towards but maybe I'll change my mind. I'll figure out for sure which route I want to go after they arrive.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 345
My bearing was rusted and thats why I replaced it. The bearing retainer in the bottom of the column wasnt bad. I just used a round wire brush on my cordless and cleaned it up. I primed it all since i was repainting the column. Almost like new.
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1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
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