steering column bearings

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Apr 8, 2022 | 07:48 AM

peter sipp

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 340

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From: Weaverville NC

steering column bearings

My lowest brg, just above the rag joint has died. I tried some plastic ones from LMC...lasted 3-4 weeks. There was a post by someone who made the two that are under the hood...I think. Would anyone have any experience with this situation, know the steering column size and the tube ID they fit into? My truck is a '65 F100 2WD. Thanks in advance, Pete

Apr 8, 2022 | 08:13 AM

James_Western_Canada

Laughing Gas

Joined: Nov 2001

Posts: 1,062

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From: Edmonton, Alberta

If you search, you should find multiple posts that have the OEM part number for these. They may still be available from Ford dealers, if not, try running the PN on rearcounter.com

HTH
James

Apr 8, 2022 | 08:46 AM

Red60

Cargo Master

Joined: Dec 2019

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Is there a reason for the failures? The LMC part quick fail makes one wonder why. Might be an underlying problem to address before sacrificing more parts.

Apr 8, 2022 | 04:28 PM

peter sipp

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 340

Likes: 21

From: Weaverville NC

Hi James,
My D. Carpenter book doesna show any part # for a '65 :-(, So I'm kinda stuck. I'll look at oem. See what I can find out...Thank you James!!

Apr 8, 2022 | 04:37 PM

peter sipp

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 340

Likes: 21

From: Weaverville NC

Hi Red60. Yes, you are on it. I actually had a shop replace the two brgs. I suspect the shaft is narrow where the original one was. That is a welding solution if that's what caused the LMC plastic brg to fail. Am looking for another steering column. Not too many around. Flashback 100's, Tom (the owner/operator) recently left us. He was in east NC...I'm in west NC. Thank you for responding. All the best to you.

Apr 8, 2022 | 04:43 PM

TA455HO

Lead Gopher

Joined: Aug 2012

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From: Seattle

Here may be the thread you are thinking about. 1965GTFB replaced the OEM with a sealed bearing.

Blue Top Steering Box Rebuild/Install and Column Lower Support Bearing Install - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums (ford-trucks.com)

You can also get the OEM style bearing either NOS or reproduction.

c3dz-3517-a: Search Result | eBay

Some of those come with the plastic sleeve a.k.a. bushing.

b1az-3518-a: Search Result | eBay

If these parts are falling apart or getting destroyed in just a few weeks then you may have cab mount sag or possibly the column is under a bind for some other reason. Even a sealed bearing could fail if that's the case. Just sayin' it may be worth a look.

Apr 9, 2022 | 05:50 AM

peter sipp

Thread Starter

Tuned

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 340

Likes: 21

From: Weaverville NC

Hi TA455HO,
The brg right under the steering wheel sounded like there was gravel in it. The truck was 17 yr old when I bought it. So that makes 57 yrs of service...is this average?
9 yr ago I made a cab support for the drivers side. The pass side is needing to be done too now. So, you are right about the steering column being in a bind. I did not consider the sagging on the pass side to cause trouble. Thank you for your giving your thoughts on this situation.
All the best, Pete