Upper Steering Column Bearing

JSeery

Member Emeritus
Not promoting these at all, but just happened across them and found them interesting.

3/4"-Inch Precision Ball Bearings - Qty 4
Made of Hardened Steel - Double Inner-Raced
Completely Sealed - No Need to Grease
Ideal for Heavy Duty Loads, Every Day Use, Environments with Dust and Debris
1-3/8-Inch outside diameter. Standard for most hubs

4 bearings for $7.99, that's $2 a bearing. These are the wheelbarrow style/type of bearing.
 

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You can get them about anywhere, they are wheelbarrow bearings, with the 3/4 inch center. The amazon link is just what looks like a higher quality bearings at a good price. A lot of the wheelbarrow bearing are not as high a quality, but then it is being used in an enclosed location with very little load, so?
 
The bearing mentioned is a standardized bearing number of 5300-2RS or 5300-ZZ i think. I tried one long ago as a column bearing and was not happy about something (Cant remember what) I likely still have some and will try again and report back.
 
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Get the "Brucegard" (I think is his name). That is probably the one on Amazon. Far superior to the wheel barrow bearings. Well worth the money. I have his bearing in my 35 Pickup Icon. Lawson.
 
About 50 years ago I put a 64 Buick tilt column in my 32. I cut a bunch of stuff off the tube and welded on a length of 1 1/2 tubing. I used the stock 32 column drop and a hardwear store bearing at the bottom. It slipped into the tube and I put a clamp on the shaft so it was secured. It is still installed.
I have them top and bottom in another car with a 40 column and had them top only in a 32 5W. All worked perfectly.
 
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Get the "Brucegard" (I think is his name). That is probably the one on Amazon. Far superior to the wheel barrow bearings. Well worth the money. I have his bearing in my 35 Pickup Icon. Lawson.
A bit of difference in the price here. :)
 
I have used the 'wheel barrel' bearings on 3 early Ford steering column rebuilds. They will never wear out in this low load application at the top of the steering column.
 
I've always used the bearing, sleeve and spring from the later Ford columns. You can get the kit from C and G Parts and other V-8 parts vendors.
 
standardized bearing number of 5300-2RS or 5300-ZZ

2RS stands for two rubber seals...
ZZ stands for two metal shields...
Take your pick- the ZZ has slightly less friction than the sealed bearing- no friction from the seals
 
How do you hold the top bearing in place doesn't it want to slide down? tthanks

The bearing has a lip on one side of it. The main part of the bearing slides down into the steering tube and the lip of the bearing stops against the belled part of the steering tube. You just need to be sure the outside diameter of the bearing is the same size as the inside diameter of the steering tube and the inside diameter of the bearing is the same size as the steering shaft. There are different sizes of wheelbarrow bearings, but the proper sized one is the most common one I think.
 

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Used a Briggs & Stratton 7028722YP in my F-1 column. Made in USA too.
These are also a flanged "wheel" bearing so I removed most of the OD of
the flange with about a minute's worth on the bench grinder. Interestingly,
if you you don't get too carried away with the grinder, it taps right
into the F-1 column with a pretty tight fit. (about a 1.375" bearing OD)
The ID on the bearing is 3/4" which fits the factory steering shaft perfectly.
I did discover that the repo steering shaft is not an exact & concentric
3/4" so it won't work with those......
 
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