Steering column maintenance

[FLATBEDFORD]

'70 F350, manual steering. I notice that the wheel doesn't always turn smoothly, there is slight grinding noise, and some rattle in the steering column. I figure there must be some worn bearings or bushings in there. How tough is it to replace that stuff and are the parts readily available?

[kaptnkaos]

Hey FBF,

Yeah, there are two bearings, top and bottom of the column housing...
There are a couple of ways to deal with it.
Remove the whole column and disassemble it, pop the bearings out and replace them and reassemble the column, and reinstall.
Or, you can do it like 390Nut did...
Basically the same as above, except that he slid the column housing out and left the main center shaft attached.
Everything else was the same.
I just used a screw driver to pop out the top bearing, then used the center shaft upside down as a punch, to pop out the bottom one.
You can get those at any Ford dealer for about $20. They come in a pack of four so you'll have a spare pair.
I think NPD carries them as well.

KaptnKA S

[FLATBEDFORD]

I can get it at a Ford dealer!! The last time I asked about parts for my '70 at the Ford dealer they laughed at me.

[kaptnkaos]

I got mine at the Ford dealer...

They did have to order it, and it came in a couple of days later...

KaptnKA S

[fordman]

almost all o fthe vendors shoul dhave the bearings. the lmc part number is 45-0740. its the same bearing for top and bottom.

[FLATBEDFORD]

When I order the bearing should I order part 45 0795 bearing sleeve too? The bearing is #15, the sleeve is #16

[fordman]

i would just in case. you never know if its going to be chewed up or not.

[wt4speed#2]

I was experincing the same symptons and found that my outer column housing had slipped down and was rubbing the head of the nut on the lower clamp. and the my lower clamp don't look like any in the pics i've seen. But while I've got it out i'm gonna inspect the bearings.