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1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

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Rembrant

1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Good day folks,

I happened to see this on Facebook last night. Looks like they will be ready soon.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=642180619935295&id=149870185833010

I don't really have any other contact info for the guy, but I expect you'll see these parts on Ebay soon.

https://www.ebay.com/i/223380119405?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=223380119405&targetid=859095746805&device=m&mktype=pla&googleloc=1027320&poi&campaignid=6469750777&mkgroupid=90043439478&rlsatarget=pla-859095746805&abcId=1141176&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6fyg3qPc5wIVApSzCh0GcA-zEAQYASABEgJTFfD_BwE&fbclid=IwAR0O1pPFjmf23bBGMqweoUW0vR0BjivuB0hCHdfRqTAL-8FgUGY9-e4MkZ8

Looks like he's in Virginia.

1994 F150 4x2 Flareside. 5.0 w/MAF, 4R70W, stock.
1984 F150 4X2 Flareside. Mild 302 w/ 5spd. Sold.
1980 F150 4X4 Flareside. 300i6 w/ 5spd. Sold in 2021.
1980 F100 4X2 Flareside. 351w/2bbl w/NP435. Sold in 1995

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Cool! If my rejuvenation of the bearing with the dried grease doesn't last I'll probably order one of these. Looks like it is much more substantial than the factory bearing. And, these can be changed out from the bottom on a manual transmission column.

Wonder what he will charge?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

Rembrant

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Gary Lewis wrote

Wonder what he will charge?

Well, I see he has the 1973-1979 version on Ebay for $65 bucks, so it will be that much or more I'd say. I think the Bullnose version is a bit more elaborate.

I wonder if it will work with both manual and auto transmission columns? Manual for sure...but Auto?...

The nice thing is the replaceable common bearing, and of course it would be much more rigid.

My only concern was how to make sure the shaft actually turns the inner race (instead of turning inside the inner race). I think what I'd do jam some RTV in between the flats of the shaft and the inner race, and it would probably lock it in place as good as anything. It's not like there's any rotational force on it.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Yes, it is more elaborate, so may be more.

As for the auto transmissions, does the shift linkage go through this? I thought Scott indicated that it does.

On making sure the bearing rotates, I had hoped (assumed?) that he would pick a bearing that is the same thickness as the current bearing. That way the red spacer would fit and clip into the other side of the bearing. But something has to fill in around the shaft as it isn't round. Like this:

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Rembrant

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Gary Lewis wrote

On making sure the bearing rotates, I had hoped (assumed?) that he would pick a bearing that is the same thickness as the current bearing. That way the red spacer would fit and clip into the other side of the bearing. But something has to fill in around the shaft as it isn't round.

I think the red spacer might be loose without the O-ring in place to hold it. The original bearing has an o-ring on the inside of the inner race to keep everything snug.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

You are probably right. I wonder if a piece of heat-shrink over the shaft would keep the red piece in and make the bearing turn?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

kramttocs

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Good find! Will keep an eye on this for sure.

Never put two of them side by side but pretty sure it's the same piece for both a/t and m/t. It's the metal sleeve that this fits into that has the cutout for the linkage arm.

Really happy to see parts like these getting made for 7th gens.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

salans7

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Well, I decided to purchase one of these. The original lower bearing in my column was covered in rust, and the rubber grommet that went around the bearing was basically brittle plastic and broke apart when I pulled it off of the bearing. Since I was looking at a brand new bearing assembly, I decided to spring for this. I can't give a full review as my truck is non-running, however the fit is great and the steering shaft feels tight to the bearing, which seems to be the perfect size to fit. My first impression is great, it seems to be a well-made product, and the customer service I received was excellent. I have been asked to provide my thoughts on the bearing since only a few have been made so far, but I can't find anything wrong.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Cool! Is there any chance the red filler piece will fit in to seal the openings between the bearing and the shaft? And, does the shaft fit tightly so it won't rotate in the bearing?

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

salans7

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Gary Lewis wrote

Cool! Is there any chance the red filler piece will fit in to seal the openings between the bearing and the shaft? And, does the shaft fit tightly so it won't rotate in the bearing?

No, you do not re-use any part of the old bearing assembly, including the red piece. There is only a small gap around the flat sides of the steering shaft, and that gap will be covered by the intermediate shaft once it is slipped over the steering shaft.

As for whether the shaft will spin in the bearing, I don't want to answer that as I have the column out of the truck and would like to wait to see how it fits when fully installed in the truck. However, I believe it may be possible for it to spin depending on the steering shaft. Remember, there may be manufacturing differences in the steering shaft thickness that affect how the bearing fits. It may fit tighter on some trucks than others, as evidenced by the fact that my 1986 intermediate shaft slipped on and off of my old 1986 column, but it takes some force to get it to slide onto the 1990 column I am using.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

That's the worry, Shaun, that the manufacturing tolerances of the rolled sheet metal shaft are such that some shafts may spin in the bearing. Which is probably why Ford used the o-ring as it takes up slack.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

kramttocs

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Yeah, was just looking at the one on my desk again and I am not sure I would feel too comfortably losing the red contact area and the filling/gripping ability of the o ring. While it spinning in the lower bearing may not cause any immediate failure and loss of control, just because it is part of the steering it would be worth him taking a look at to see if something could be done.

Really liking it aside from that concern.

Scott
'Camano' 1986 F250 Supercab XLT Lariat 460/C6
'Chanute' 1980 F350 C&C 400/NP 435 - Gin Pole

But there ain't nothin' wrong with the radio

salans7

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

In reply to this post by Gary Lewis

What are the disadvantages of the bearing being a minimally loose fit, from an engineering standpoint? I can understand the disadvantages of this happening on a wheel bearing, but this type of bearing does not see that same kind of wear.

The manufacturer is asking for feedback, so please let me know your thoughts.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Eventually if the shaft spins in the bearing the shaft will get galled because the bearing is harder than the shaft. Really, if the shaft doesn't spin the bearing there's no reason for the bearing. You'd be better off with a bushing.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

salans7

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

I went out and put the column in the vice and marked the bearing and shaft so I could see if they move together or if the bearing spins on the shaft. After spinning the steering wheel back and forth about 50 times, the bearing moved along with the shaft, and did not spin. The bearing will only spin on the shaft if I manually hold it with slight pressure from my finger.

To be fair, I tried the same test with my factory bearing and red clip, just without the plastic housing. I achieved the same result, the factory bearing spun with the shaft until I placed slight pressure onto the bearing, and then the shaft spun inside the bearing, even with the O-ring.

The only way I feel the factory setup would be superior to this is if you had a brand new bearing with a brand new o-ring. Maybe then the chance of slippage would be zero.

It's also important to note that the billet housing is slightly taller than the stock plastic housing. Therefore, when you install the intermediate shaft to the column, once you get it lined up, I assume that the intermediate shaft presses up against the bearing and that pressure keeps it spinning with the shaft.

Rembrant

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

I'd jam a little bit of RTV in the small voids where the flats of the shaft are inside the bearing. Once that stuff hardens up, it would lock that shaft to the inner race of the bearing as tight or tighter than the O-ring ever did. That's all IMHO of course. I don't need one of these bearing housings, but if I did, that is what I'd do.

1986F150Six

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

Rembrant wrote

I'd jam a little bit of RTV in the small voids where the flats of the shaft are inside the bearing. Once that stuff hardens up, it would lock that shaft to the inner race of the bearing as tight or tighter than the O-ring ever did. That's all IMHO of course. I don't need one of these bearing housings, but if I did, that is what I'd do.

That is thinking outside the box!

salans7

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

In reply to this post by Rembrant

Rembrant wrote

I'd jam a little bit of RTV in the small voids where the flats of the shaft are inside the bearing. Once that stuff hardens up, it would lock that shaft to the inner race of the bearing as tight or tighter than the O-ring ever did. That's all IMHO of course. I don't need one of these bearing housings, but if I did, that is what I'd do.

I agree, and feel that the RTV would be more than adequate to keep the bearing in place.

Gary Lewis

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

Administrator

I think that will work. And, it'll seal between the bearing and the shaft.

You might want to pass that suggestion on the manufacturer.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

FuzzFace2

Re: 1980-1991 Steering Column Billet Lower Bearing Housing

In reply to this post by salans7

Or a small wooden wedge driven in and the other shaft would keep it from falling out.

On the factory set up is it not plastic?
If so I could see why they would not went the shaft to spin in side the bearing as it would wear down the plastic inner race.
But as said I cant see the shaft wearing because the bearing race was not spinning with the shaft.
But that is me.

How have you guys known that bearing needed to be replaced?
Was there play in the shaft and you traced it to the lower bearing or was it making noise?
I never looked that close at either one of mine as I did not feel a need.
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100