I read mr b's column ? and I have the same one. I have a stick column and I had taken it to a powder coat place where they disassembled it and I did not get all the pieces back.I went to put the steering shaft in the column and the shaft does not ride tight inside the bearings.Is there a spacer or bushing that goes on the shaft first and then inside the bearing.Or maybe kragen sold me the wrong bearing.What is the inner and outer diameter of this bearing.I noticed you told bassn about a sleeve. I thinkthe sleeve is only in auto columns and 3 speed columns.Pls send any info my way.This truck was a gift for my sons bday in may and I would like to have it done for his bday.Thanks Ed Earl

 

 

There are two nylon bearing races (one upper and one lower) that fit snugly over the steering shaft for the bearings to ride on. They are shaped sorta like a cone (with the top cut off).

There should be a metal clamp or metal collar (with set screws) on the bottom of the shaft. It is used to set the location of the steering column housing.

Drop the collar or clamp down on the shaft, slide one of the nylon races dowm on top of it, slide the housing down over all that, and install the upper nylon race.

Once the steering assembly is installed in the truck, adjusting the housing height can be difficult to do by yourself. I have found that the easiest way to adjust the height location of the housing against the turn signal assembly is to:

1) Install the steering wheel WITHOUT the spring, add the retaining nut and tighten it for a snug 'fit'.
2) With the steering column assembly retaining bolts loose, pull the assembly snugly up against the steering wheel (not too tight; it will bind up, but tight enough that the signal lights will 'cancel'.
3) While holding the housing in place, tighten the retaining bolts (located under the dash).
4) Under the hood, slide the clamp or collar up against the bearing, making sure that the nylon race is set firmly in the bearing. Tighten the set screws on the collar or the bolt on the clamp (I make a spacer out of a small piece of electrical consuit when using the clamp because it comes up under the edge of the steering housing and it is hard to get a socket or wrench on it to tighten the clamp bolt.
5) Remove the steering wheel, install the spring, and reinstall the steering wheel.
6) Tighten the large clamp under the hood that holds the lower end of the column assembly up against the fire-wall mounted bracket.
7) Finish up whatever other work needs to be done (wiring, turn signal lever, etc.)

You can do all the adjustment on the work bench before installation in the truck, if you wish. It just means the assembly has to be taken apart again for installation.

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