Remove Upper Bronze Thrust Bearing on 28/28 Steering Column

[VS81Splicer]

Has anyone removed the upper shouldered bronze bushing (the one immediately above the upper thrust bearing) in a 28/29 steering column? I'm trying to do this with the pot metal bushing at the extreme top of the column remaining in place. I'm thinking that opening the bore just shy of the key way may weaken the busing fit enough so that the 7/16" rod I'm inserting thru the top bushing and tapping 180 degrees across the busing wall. And, if that's not enough to set it free, a hack saw blade or file to remove more of the bushing's upper wall section so it will collapse enough in the fit.

Has anybody this this approach or another?

 

[Big hammer]

Pilot bearing removal tool and a slide hammer ? Not sure what the largest size would be

 

[LEM]

Slide hammer did not work for me.

 

[nkaminar]

Try some heat and some penetrating oil.

 

[Fullraceflathead]

As mentioned above I would try some heat to expand the housing and some penetrating oil on a slide hammer.

 

[katy]

Maybe try threading the inside of the bushing, then install a bolt in it to pull on.

 

[rotorwrench]

Either a long piece of pipe or bar stock of the appropriate size or the all-thread with a drilled flat plate and a big nut and washer. The bronze is easy to tap to an appropriate size for the all-thread to fit into. If using a bar stock rod from the top then it would be a good idea to have a machinist cut a pilot to fit into the hole to maintain alignment during the hammer process. It could be done with a long pipe but the pilot would be more complicated and a person needs a good hammer surface to beat on. All-thread could also be used to go all the way through with nuts on both ends but it would take a long piece of all thread.

The 2-tooth Gemmer is easier to work on but they are getting harder to source for a 28 or 29. That and it wouldn't be original for a 1928.

 

[VS81Splicer]

Gentlemen, thank you for the advise. Despite the fact that I used a 3/8-24 tap, a 3/8-24 bolt and a slide hammer on my hood's center pivot hinge tube, I didn't think of using the same principle with this upper bushing. The bore of that bronze upper bushing is .812/3, which is the drill size for a 7/8-14 thread. I'll report back on the results of my efforts. Again, thanks for your input! Bob.

 

[rotorwrench]

Another thought is to use a smaller and shorter section of all thread with a lock nut and heavy washer to fit the top of the bushing. Use a long tube or rod with one of the new rare earth high strength magnets on the end to lower it down into the tube till is aligns with the bushing bore then drop it through. It might take a few stabs at it to get it in there but it should be doable. Once it is in then the plate and regular nut could be used to jack screw it out. This would require flats on the all thread to hold it with a wrench while wrenching on the jack screw nut.