1971 F250 4WD upper steering bearing

[Norton]

Hello all. The upper steering column bearing disintegrated in my '71 Highboy. I found an NOS bearing on eBay. I have used the replacement bearings in the past and they didn't hold up well. This NOS part looks much more robust, but I can't figure out how it is supposed to be installed. I have the exploded view of the steering column from this site, but isn't helping me figure this out. I have done an exhaustive search for a "how to" on Google, as well as here in several forums, namely, General Discussion, 4X4 and offroad, and here in the Suspension/Steering/Brakes forum. Here is the bearing I acquired:











You can see the part number on the box is the correct part number for my truck, but it does not look like the bearings that are normally offered under that number. The bearing fits over the shaft, and fits nicely into the race(?) in the back of the steering column tube flange (part #3511), but I can't figure out how it is supposed to be secured so that it doesn't slide down the shaft. Of course, the illustration clearly shows that the bearing goes into the front of part #3511.I'm sure that securing the bearing has something to do with the three threaded holes on the flat portions, but I have now way of knowing how to utilize them short of drilling hoes into the steering column. I'm afraid that I may have the wrong part, although the seller assured me that this part is correct for 1971/up F100/250 (4X4) Trucks and 1971/up B-F500/700 bus & trucks.

Sorry for my lack of knowledge. Any help is appreciated, thanks.

[fordman]

Ive never had 4wd column apart. I assumed the upper bearing was the same as 2wd bearings. As the fit into the tss collar. (3511). My only thought is that the bearing u have must be pressed into the tss collar. My second thought is that that may not be the correct part number. And or the wring part in the right box.

I am posting this as a reference link. http://www.fordification.com/tech/schematics_c.htm

How did the other bearings u used get installed?

I cant see anything going behind 3511 the tss collar. I do have a 2wd 3spd tss collar in front of me now. It does look like ur bearing needs to be pressed in to me. Im going to try and post pics of what i am looking at. In my next post.

[fordman]

The seller was wrong i think. That is a lower column bearing and retainer. Here is a link to the darkside that explains it. http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/55811 ... aring.html

Heres another link i forgot about. That says it is for upper. http://www.fordification.com/mpc/sec30/ ... c35_11.htm

Im not sure now. I really think the first link is true.

[sargentrs]

Something's not right. I, also, don't know 4wd's but the upper column bearing didn't change between '64-'72. http://www.carolina-classics.com/Detail ... ategory=22 and that part number (D1TZ) implies '71 and newer.

[fordman]

As for that darkside link where the guy states he had a plastic lower bushing. Ive seen some of those in dentside columns. U can buy a plastic bushing from lmc truck. I bought one. But it wasnt correct for the column i had. But i hoped it would work. I also have a 73 4wd column here. The lower bearing is the same looking bearing as 67-69:2wd columns. As i think my 71 4wd may also have. This is a mystery to me. And can only hope the original poster comes back with more info for us.

[Norton]

Sorry fordman, I was outside all day working in the shop rebuilding a carburetor. I checked in here from time to time, and have come to the firm conclusion that I don't klnow what I have or what I need. I've figured how to make what I have work. I will be an invisible result, but I'll want to get a spare steering column tube sometime. The more stuff I look at the more confusing this thing with part numbers, upper and lower, year models and 4WD vs. 2WD becomes:

'67-'70 F100/250 (4x4) gets C3TZ-3517-A Upper (replaced with C5DZ-3517-A)
'67-'72 F100/250 (4x4) gets D0AZ-3517-A Lower
'65-'72 F100/250 (4x2) gets C3TZ-3517-A (replaced with C5DZ-3517-A) (Units before Ser. 588,000 must also use D0TZ-3510-A retainer and B1AZ-3518-A sleeve for lower bearing)
'67-'72 F350 gets C3TZ-3517-A Upper & Lower (replaced with C5DZ-3517-A)
'71-'72 F100/250 (4X4) gets D1TZ-3517-A Upper - retainer & bearing assembly - includes retainer, bearing, seal & snap ring

...but the stuff highlighted above are definitely for my truck. The D1TZ-3517-A is an assembly, which none of the aftermarket bits and pieces are. Since there seems to be absolutely nowhere on the innerwebs to tell me how this part is to be utilized, I'll just make something up I guess.

[Norton]

How did the other bearings u used get installed?

the aftermarket bearings I have used before were installed in front of the part #3511.

[Norton]

I tried one of the old plastic bushings I had to see if I could make an interference fit with it between the inner race of the bearing and the column shaft, but it was too tight a fit. The bearing assembly that I have fits fairly snug into the back of the tube flange, but not nearly snug enough to make a press fit. But then again, illustration clearly shows the the bearing goes in the front, and there is not room for the entire assembly that I have.

[fordman]

After your replys. I am thinking the books may be wrong. Im pretty sure the bearing all go into the front of the tss collar (3511).

If u've ever seen a grant or other aftermarket steering wheel or maybe its the horn center cap kit. The bearing assembly if turned upside down reminds me of that kit. Similar. But not quite in this picture. http://www.grantproducts.com/images/pro ... g/3163.jpg

[Norton]

After some discussion, the consensus seems to be that the book is indeed wrong. This bearing is for the 1971/up B-F500/700 bus & trucks but not for 1971/up F100/250 (4X4) trucks. I'm off to find the correct parts.

Thanks for all of your input.

[fordman]

Not that it matters now. But here is the post i was thinking about when i refered to the plastic bushing. http://www.fordification.com/forum/view ... 41#p507541

[Norton]

Ahh, I see. I've never seen that bushing. I've replaced the lower bearing a long time ago. Seems like there was a bearing, a cup (I think they called it?), and one of those plastic retainers. I guess I could go look at the diagram and see if that is correct, that's just from memory. I still have the metal retainer from the first time I changed out the upper bearing (or maybe it was the lower...). I was thinking about using it instead of the plastic one. Reckon it would be better?

[fordman]

I think metal would be better than the plastic ones.

[sargentrs]

My lower steel one one was toast but my upper one was in good shape. So I used the steel one on bottom and put a new plastic one on top. Would have preferred metal for both.