I'm going to try my hand at building a basic, simple steering column for my Model A project. To gain access for my lanky, busted up, and aging body I plan on using a Mooneyes 15" steering wheel with a 4" dish and a Grant removable hub. I have a 36" length of 3/4" 36 spline steering shaft. The housing will be 16 gauge stainless steel tubing. I have access to a lathe and mill. I have been searching the web for appropriate bearings. There are too damn many choices. Flanged or unflanged, sealed or unsealed, greasable, ball, roller, Oilite bronze, nylon, teflon and HDMW. Has anyone ever built there own column? What did you use for bearings? Any suggestions? I wish I could just PM C9.
Easy way--- take a piece of the tube and a piece of the shaft to a bearing supply dealer. He pulls out his mic and picks out a sealed bearing and you are on your way. Always works for me.
Easiest way: ditch the outer tube. Get yourself a 3/4" steering shaft support bearing for each end, and bolt one to your dash like you would a column drop, the other where the shaft p***es through your firewall. Boom, done.
From at least 2 hamb threads... go to a real old type hardware store that has all the small parts in tray boxes..look for "flanged bearings" made for wheelbarrow or garden tractor wheels. The 3/4 bore should be easy, and I think the ID gives only one choice for OD?? One hamber said a certain garden tractor, maybe a Wheelhorse, had the ones he needed for that job.
the one i use has a small flange on it , 3/4" bore , and fits nicely inside a piece of 1-1/2" exhaust tubing
Thanks, I should have used the search. I thought about using rod ends but I want to mount my tach to column. The bearing everyone recommends is a HW-13C made by several suppliers. Now, all I need to do is find a length of 1.5" stainless steel tubing.
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