My steering column is real loose and I have checked for loose bolts etc. It is a tilt and from 88 so it has some years on it. I know that there are bearing sets in the column but can they be replaced? Any ideas?

 

I'm sure they can. I've never done it. Does the column itself have endplay or side slop? If not, I'd be more inclined to think it is further down the steering at the u-joint/ragjoint (depends on the year) or even the steering gear itself.

When it comes to dismantling the column, I let the pros do it but thats not to say it can't be done otherwise. You might check with a local column shop for info on the bearing sets etc.

 

I'm not sure what endplay is but if you are sitting in the truck the steering wheel sort of pivots up and down mainly with a little side to side.

A new or rebuilt column may be the way to go.

 

rews- what did you end up doing?

The play in my steering wheel is so bad that it has broken two of the plastic/metal contact things on the back of the wheel. I really dont have much money to do a column rebuid, but dont know how many other options I have...

 

I had to replace the ignition actuator so I tore the column apart down to the bearings. The pivot pins for the tilt had worked their way out a little but the bearings looked good. I repacked the bearings and reinstalled everything with the new actuator and it helped some. I think my main problem was the steering box not the column, this truck never had a steering stabilizer on it and I think it just took it's toll on the steering box.

I had to get rid of my bronco a couple months ago, the engine gave up and I didn't have the money to put in it. I was getting parts together for a rebuild this summer but it just didn't last.