Installing an upper steering column bushing

California Charlie

California Charlie

Senior Member
Has anyone else experienced a problem with installing an upper bushing into a 1931 steering column?

I bought a new upper steering column bushing from Bratton's and there's no way that it will fully insert into the steering column using all the pounding force and grease I can use to pound it down into the steering column to fit.

There are no side column screws keeping the bushing from fully inserting into the column.

What am I missing? I don't have the old bushing that was previously removed to compare with the new busing that I have.

Thanks in advance for all those who may be able to help me with this matter.
 
sometimes the inside of the steering tube isn't perfectly round. So you may need to dress down the OD on the bushing.
 
I don't know if this is true for the later steering columns, but the instructions for the early ones said that after the bearing was installed to drill and tap for the screws.
 
Put the bushing in a freezer overnight, warm the tube just before you install the bushing, be fast as the two becomes one with a tink !
 
This isn't like installing a ring gear...it's a pretty simple operation and as long as it's tight, the bushing won't go anywhere.

Personally, I've just taken a file to them and gotten them to fit. Since the bushing has three rods going through it, it's not going to go anywhere as long as it's tight.
 
Some columns have a V notch or grove to guide centering the bushing in the steering tube. Look at the top edge of the bushing for a mating V material on the bushing.
 
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