Hello all. The upper steering column bearing disintegrated in my '71 Highboy. I found an NOS bearing on eBay. I have used the replacement bearings in the past and they didn't hold up well. This NOS part looks much more robust, but I can't figure out how it is supposed to be installed. I have the exploded view of the steering column, but isn't helping me figure this out:



I have done an exhaustive search for a "how to" on Google, as well as here in several forums. Here is the bearing I acquired:











You can see the part number on the box is the correct part number for my truck, but it does not look like the bearings that are normally offered under that number. The bearing fits over the shaft, and fits nicely into the race(?) in the back of the steering column tube flange (part #3511), but I can't figure out how it is supposed to be secured so that it doesn't slide down the shaft. Of course, the illustration clearly shows that the bearing goes into the front of part #3511.I'm sure that securing the bearing has something to do with the three threaded holes on the flat portions, but I have now way of knowing how to utilize them short of drilling hoes into the steering column. I'm afraid that I may have the wrong part, although the seller assured me that this part is correct for 1971/up F100/250 (4X4) Trucks and 1971/up B-F500/700 bus & trucks.

Sorry for my lack of knowledge. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

 

You got yourself the wrong bearing correct Top Bearing number is - C3DZ-3517-A seller is wrong

Check out this link to my steering column rebuild should help you out a lot.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...uild-some.html

 

I won't argue with you, I believe I have the wrong bearing. The confusing thing is that the parts list and exploded view shows the part number that you mentioned, but there is also a part #D1TZ-3517-A that is called out as "Upper - retainer & bearing assembly - includes retainer, bearing, seal & snap ring"

So, I got that going for me...

Thank you for the rebuild. I will definitely read all of it. I need to remount my PS box to inside the frame rails. Mine was the when I bought the truck three years or so ago, and it is a butchered up job, but works great.

 

I don't understand either. You and the seller are correct in that D1TZ3517A is in fact listed for that application. 1971/up F100/250 (4X4) Trucks and 1971/up B-F500/700 bus & trucks.
So one would think that application takes a special 3511. But the 3511's are listed as S/T or M/T, not 4X2 or 4X4. And the F500/750 don't have a 3511. The D1TZ3517A bearing and collar assembly fit directly in to the steering column tube. Then the 3 screws go from the outside of the tube,through it,and in to the bearing collar. 64/72 Ford Truck illustration section 35,page 2. I kinda remember back in the day going to sell a customer a D1TZ3517A. And it ended up being wrong. The C3DZ was correct. After that I always just went C3DZ3517A for the upper bearing on a Bump body style.

 

Thank you very much for that information. Too bad i can't use the one I have. It looks much sturdier than the replacement parts available. I guess I'll go ahead and order the correct part.

 

You're welcome. BTW, C3DZ3517A still available from FORD!

 

C3DZ-3517-A = 1964/66 & 1967/70 F100/250 4WD

D1TZ-3517-A = 1971/72 F100/250 4WD & B/F500/750.

Here are the 3517 parts catalog applications:

 

you got the right box, it just had the wrong part in it