Upper steering column bushing or bearing?

[Automotive Stud]

Am I missing something here? This is my dad's model A, I think the column is f100 but it could be 51 car also, I'm not really sure. The steering wheel is a little wobbly at the top. At first I thought it was missing the cone and spring, but after taking the steering wheel off I'm not sure that's what it's supposed to have. It looks like it might just be a bushing that's a little loose.

 

[Oldcarbearings]

There's a bearing&plastic sleeve that the bearing fits/sits inside so as not to wear the shaft,
There's also a conversion kit that uses a rubber housing &bronze bush here's the ford part number : 51A-3517-A,
IMHO&HO (honest&humble opinion) i'd go with the bearing&plastic sleeve as a bronze bush will wear the shaft plastic being a softer material won't......

 

[petehoovie]

Am I missing something here? This is my dad's model A, I think the column is f100 but it could be 51 car also, I'm not really sure. The steering wheel is a little wobbly at the top. At first I thought it was missing the cone and spring, but after taking the steering wheel off I'm not sure that's what it's supposed to have. It looks like it might just be a bushing that's a little loose.

 

[rich b]

Should be a bearing in there (maybe the outside shell is still there) along with a cone that centers the shaft in the bearing, and a spring under the wheel to bear down on the cone.

The F series bearing and modern plastic cone are circled in the picture.

Available from the usual Ford parts suppliers.

 

[Automotive Stud]

Thanks Rich. That's what I was thinking also. I've seen the bushing on the left of your picture and I think that's what I'm looking at in there. I didn't know if the column took that or the bearing and cone instead or both.

 

[petehoovie]

Should be a bearing in there (maybe the outside shell is still there) along with a cone that centers the shaft in the bearing, and a spring under the wheel to bear down on the cone.

The F series bearing and modern plastic cone are circled in the picture.

Available from the usual Ford parts suppliers.

 

[TJ]

Try to get the old bushing out and replace with the bearing and tapered sleeve.

 

[Automotive Stud]

Looks like when my dad put it together he used an early style bushing, but it's either worn or not tight enough. I ordered a bearing and cone and a few different style bushings to play with. I'll make something work.

 

[petehoovie]

Looks like when my dad put it together he used an early style bushing, but it's either worn or not tight enough. I ordered a bearing and cone and a few different style bushings to play with. I'll make something work.