Re: Steering bearing fell out

[trnsfrma@ix.netcom.com (Shawn C. Meze)]

At 04:07 PM 7/24/97 -0700, you wrote:
>	I noticed my steering was clunky and found that the lower steering
>column bearing had fallen out.  There is a plastic ring and a bearing
>dangling just above the universal joint.  I took a look at the Bentley and
>it sorta tells me how to get the column out but not much on the actual
>replacement of the bearing.  Can someone give me more details/pointers?
>	The Bentley mentions drilling out a shear bolt to get the column
>out and replacing it with a new one.  Is the shear bolt necessary to allow
>the column to collapse when face meets dash?  If I have to replace it,
>where can I get one?  Dealer?  Or will it come with the new bearing?  And
>is the plastic ring that also fell out a reusable part or is it part of the
>bearing's cage?  I guess what I'm trying to say is that I have no idea what
>is going on and should I try it myself or have a mechanic do it?  There, I
>said it.  Thanks in advance, benton----



Well, put it back in at take shorter strokes.....
Oh, right, bearing! Sorry.

Its somewhat of a job. Time consuming, that sort of thing. What I ended up 
doing was completely removed the steering colum. 
About the sheer pin, I have no idea what thats about. I didnt replace mine, 
wherever it is. Once I got the steering column out, I stripped it completely to 
get the inner race out. It wasnt easy and I dont have a bearing puller (inner) 
I used the old prying method. Then I pressed (hammered with a wooden drift) the 
new bearing in. The problem I came across was that while hammering ect the 
column colapsed on me and its not like you can just pull it out. I ended up 
having to make a long punch to fit inside the shaft to push it out to the 
desired length. Then I went one step further and made it about 1" longer so I 
could install the column with the steering wheel a little closer to me. (im 
tall) it can be a pain but well worth it if you have been irritated by buzzing 
and steering wheel wobble. Thats what drove me to fix mine!

If you want a temporary fix, you can push the bearing back up into the column 
and take a small hose clamp and tighten it on the solid part of the shaft. That 
will hold it up in place for a while. 
HTH!!


Shawn
86' Jetta GLi
82' Scirocco GTi
The Fastest, Quickest, Cleanest and
best looking Scirocco in all of San Diego!
http://www2.netcom.com/~trnsfrma/vws.html

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