Upper Steering Column Bushing

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 12:09 pm

Can anyone tell me, or show me, what the upper bushing/bearing looks like that goes in the column just behind the wheel?

Trick414 · Post by **Trick414** » Tue Feb 26, 2013 10:03 pm

I've got a 51 Riviera, and I don't know how close they are.

But I'll post some pics up to give you an idea.

Here's the bearing from macsauto.com:

Here's a shot of the retainer that sits in it. The bearing is down in the shaft a bit.

Hope that helps.

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 10:09 am

Trick, thanks a lot that's a big help.

Pete DeVito · Post by **Pete DeVito** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 8:52 pm

Here is what the upper bushing looks like out of my 1957 Capri.

jim g · Post by **jim g** » Wed Feb 27, 2013 9:21 pm

pre war steering bushing was just a rubber bushing pressed into the tube with a hole in the center to support the steering shaft. I have new ones that are machined out of high quality derlin.

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:17 am

Thanks guys, will probably turn a bushing on my wood lathe out of some UHMW (Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene).

bjornbakken · Post by **bjornbakken** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:05 am

Look up this old tread, should be correct for your prewar steering.

http://www.chris-craft.org/discussion/v ... highlight=

Bjorn B.

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 3:32 pm

Have another question, the collar that goes over the end of the tube, at the top, how do they attach? The reason I ask is, the one that was on my column originally (I'm making a new one out of SS) has a 1-5/8" ID where as the column measures 1-1/2" on the OD.

Pete DeVito · Post by **Pete DeVito** » Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:37 pm

Ok here is the deal..

Don't fool with making this out of UHMW just buy the proper bushing from MAC's Antique Auto Parts.
I purchased one for my 48 model and it fits perfect and is correct. The cost was $19.00 it may have gone up 50 cents since then.

The bushing is
B-3517-AM
Modified 32-41 Upper Str Bush 3/4" ID 1-7/16"OD
Measure your steering tube and the steering shaft and give them a call. This should be the correct ID and OD.

MAC's phone is 716-210-1340

They will give you a little instruction sheet on how far it should be inserted into the tube and all.

Pete

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 10:10 am

but i like making things...

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Fri Mar 01, 2013 11:53 am

Yep, I like making things too...just got too many to make...so I would order from Mac's.

But there is real satisfaction in fabricating small parts....rewarding and takes your mind off the big stuff.

John in Va

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:11 am

Pics of the finished bushing and collar. Ended up using Teflon for the bushing.

jfrprops · Post by **jfrprops** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:19 pm

no wonder you "like makeing things" you are very good at it!
Nice job.

John in Va.

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:48 pm

Thanks.

Chad Durren · Post by **Chad Durren** » Mon Mar 04, 2013 10:36 pm

Great work!

I need some things made, are you taking orders?

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Tue Mar 05, 2013 2:45 pm

Maybe, what you need? Not cheap but I can be had.

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 9:02 am

All done and first trial fit in boat.

Doug P · Post by **Doug P** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:18 am

Terry, Where did the steering column come from?

tuobanur · Post by **tuobanur** » Thu Apr 11, 2013 1:38 pm

McMaster Carr, was able to buy a 36" long X 1-1/2" od SS tubing already polished, then I just cut it to length and cut a slot in one end where it clamps to the box. The only problem I ran in to, which wasn't a big deal, was that the new tube was a tad thicker than the old one and since tubing is measured by the od, the id was a tad smaller, so I had to turn a few thousandths off the steering box cap that the tube slips over. Otherwise, it was a piece of cake.

Upper Steering Column Bushing

Upper Steering Column Bushing

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