1965 Chrysler 300 Lower Steering Column Bearing

[NC300]

Hi Guys,
I just completed tearing down the steering column and found the lower bearing to be very notchy feeling. The size is a little odd as it is 1-5/16 (1.3125”) with a 3/4” inner diameter. The bearing sits inside the rubber isolator in the aluminum casting at the bottom.

i was able to source the upper bearing and isolator from DMT. Has anyone found a source for the lower bearing?



Nelson

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

I did not find a source, because I had my wheel all torn down and needed to get the car back in one piece ASAP. Prior to the teardown, I had a terrible squeal when I turned the wheel, and I thought it was the upper bearing, mainly because I thought there was a lower bushing that I could clean and grease, not a bearing.

Anyway, when I discovered that dead-dry, rusty, notchy bearing I:
1. removed it
2. removed the seals (red in your pic) on both sides with a dental pick
3. soaked it in kerosene and brushed it with a toothbrush, rinsed, repeat, etc
4. then I gently began to "work" the bearing little by little through its rotation while still soaked in kero and a little oil....and it got quite smooth after a few minutes
5. rinsed some more
6. cleaned and dried it
7. fully packed it in grease and reinstalled the seals.

Two and a half years later it's still smooth and quiet. Oh...I did replace the upper because I had sourced it just as you did.

Lacking that bearing, you might try my kludge and see if your can return it to serviceability.

 

[NC300]

Thanks for the post, I appreciate it. I will give that a try this week. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Any luck with that lower bearing?

 

[NC300]

Hi, yes I ended up getting pulling the seals and soaking it in gasoline. I blew it out with compressed air and repeated the gasoline soak. It freed up and with some nice Mobil red grease it’s now really smooth.

Thanks again for the advice!

 

[Trace 300 Hurst]

Great news! Glad it worked.

@charles messler