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Upper steering wheel column bearing replacement

13K views 19 replies 12 participants last post by  Evenprime 
#1 ·
If any have tried to find a replacement bearing for upper steering wheel column on a 1977 RC you can use a bicycle bearing part number B539 for about $10. Your other option is a $100 airplane quality one. I went everywhere even to a bearing store.
 

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#6 ·
legit said:
will this work for 1990 RC with Saginaw tilt wheel? nice going btw, $30.00 and up is all I see out there.
No. this is for the straight column. Tilt column is a different animal.
 
#7 ·
I just ran across this site a few hours ago. I have not done anything, but take a quick look, and book mark it. So do your due diligence before dishing out any money. If nothing else, maybe take them up on the free diagrams.

http://www.steeringcolumnservices.com/
 
#9 ·
Black77Ramcharger said:
If any have tried to find a replacement bearing for upper steering wheel column on a 1977 RC you can use a bicycle bearing part number B539 for about $10.
This same bearing is still on amazon. Is it a direct fit, or does it need any modifications?
 
#11 ·
They all should be the same. I have an auto column shift 73', and floor shift 73' with a 77' column. Both are the same inside steering column as far as that bearing goes. Very little changed 1973 to 1979.
 
#12 ·
So this is my stock 76 ramcharger non tilt steering column. I ordered the bearing and installed it, works well. It doesn't fit by itself, you still have to reuse the rubber cover that went over the original bearing. Even the original bearing O.D. is too small without the cover. If that cover is lost then this bearing would not work.


 
#13 ·
adam83 said:
So this is my stock 76 ramcharger non tilt steering column. I ordered the bearing and installed it, works well. It doesn't fit by itself, you still have to reuse the rubber cover that went over the original bearing. Even the original bearing O.D. is too small without the cover. If that cover is lost then this bearing would not work.


That rubber cover has a staple in it for the ground connection for the horn. :)
 
#16 ·
Will this bearing failing cause the wheel to turn hard? What are you experiencing that you decided to replace this bearing?  I have a 1985 dodge truck and the steering turns hard. I did check power steering pump fluid,belt tightness. I also jack up the front end and took weight off the wheels. The steering wheel still turns just as hard.

                                                                  Thank you
 
#17 ·
RRRed said:
Will this bearing failing cause the wheel to turn hard? What are you experiencing that you decided to replace this bearing? I have a 1985 dodge truck and the steering turns hard. I did check power steering pump fluid,belt tightness. I also jack up the front end and took weight off the wheels. The steering wheel still turns just as hard.

Thank you
No it shouldn't make it turn hard.
It will make a squeaking noise when it dries out of grease.
 
#18 ·
My 85 d100 is having a serious issue at the column. The steering wheel moves around and seems like the whole bearing is missing I didn’t get to take it apart yet I just bought the truck last week. I’m hoping the issue is the bearing.
 
#19 ·
Check everything on the outside and work your way inward. Like starting at the bolts at the fire wall at the columns base and going further. There isn't a whole lot that is difficult with pulling everything apart. Might find it's something else, or find more issues that need to be fixed ahead of time.
 
#20 ·
Big time thanks for this post!

I recently upgraded my 76 w100 to a 3 1/4 turn steering box and needed a new ragjoint.

Once I got it in, I realized my steering wheel isnt perfectly straight (it was so sloppy before I just didnt notice)

I've been thinking about taking the steering wheel and realigning it but doing some research into how to pull it apart properly

Not sure if I should do it from the steering wheel to center it that way or look into the collapsible portion as there is a piece of plastic I see has broken off it.

Everything from the tires to the rag-joint is perfect now - working my way up haha

Cheers and thank you - might as well replace that part if I have the steering wheel off right.


 
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