Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I have a 6x-72 era auto tilt column that required shortening for my custom application. I got the housing + shift tube whittled down to the length I need & ordered a 'new' lower column bearing kit from Crown Products (it's what popped up during my Google search) from Summit. In my search, I had 3/4" shaft included & it found #4487696K as the kit I needed. I looked it up & the consensus was it's a Jeep part that's common w/GM columns so I thought I found what I needed.

I got the part in & it's for a 1" shaft vs. the 3/4" I have. The bearing has no P/N etched into it & I'm not sure what 'type' of bearing it's technically called to help w/further searches.

Basically, I need the same outer dimensions w/a 3/4" ID. Any info/insight available?

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

If you can’t find the correct bearing,... could you machine a 3/4” x 1” bushing instead?
Surely the correct bearing is out there.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I'll PM you the phone number of a guy who rebuilds columns
He may be able to help

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Yes. Machining some Delrin or a bronze bushing could be done but I figured it's possible someone has been down this rabbit hole & knows of the bearing needed w/o purchasing some $100 'kit for classics'.

I was originally hoping/planning on the CPP 'Column Saver' kit to clean-up the end of the column based on the final product Gringoloco completed for his truck. But, by the time I trimmed the outer column housing & the shift tube to length, there does not appear to be enough material (& my plan was to even trim that set-up shorter). I've found alternative options but they were mainly for guys modding floor shift columns so their method may/may not work since the end of my column tube & shift fork are in close proximity.

Keeping it simple sounds appealing @ this time so I need to do due diligence finding a possible alternate bearing before moving on to custom.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I was recently looking for the same bearing with no luck. Let us know what you find out

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

you need to buy this kit and it will have your bearing in it. AC Delco GM part number 3981935

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I googled the p/n. At $40, that's a better price than what I've been finding for the 4pc 'kit' marketed for classics.

The kit I purchased from Crown for <$20 would work except the bearing is the wrong ID. Seems weird the correct size bearing is 2x the price of the Crown kit on the budget end & as high as $90ish on the higher end (some were even more). Thanks for that info. I was going to reach out to you but wanted to do the basic searching/homework before bothering someone.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Summit has this kit also. ACDelco GM OE Steering Shaft Components 3981935
$31.99 so it says but only fits 82 and up. So my question has anyone bought it and tried it, did it fit?:chevy:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/ado-3981935

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Well, The kit I purchased from Crown said from late 60's on up through the 90's but the bearing is a 1" ID. When I tried to find the .750" ID size is where I found many (most) marketed stuff wants to know what vehicle you're working with & tells you yes/no if it will work.

Since there are different shaft diameters, it would be better to confirm the bearing ID vs. an online source saying "it will fit".

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I went to a local bearing house this afternoon & they said I'm not going to find a bearing to fit that plastic insert. They said I could convert to a full size bearing set-up though (eliminating the OE arrangement) but would have to figure out the way to secure it in place.

He recommended the path I was expecting to take if they couldn't help:
A) Find a bushing for the 1" to 3/4" gap to use the 'new' bearing.
B) Clean & lube the old bearing w/the new plastic insert (he agreed w/me that the new bearing feels like a piece of crap vs the 40yr old bearing).

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

That probably will be the best way to go. Lily bearings make custom size bearing. It maybe worth seeing how much they charge to make say 10-20 of them and sale. I'd be interested in a few for my 2 columns.:chevy:

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I'll include my PM response to Andy4639 here for others to weigh in on....

I checked Lily out online after reading your thread reply but didn't see anything specific & figured it would require a more detailed inquiry. Thanks for reaching out to them.
Interesting reply from them & I'm curious what they consider as "relatively high"?

If it's a plug & play bearing that can be used w/the rebuild kits other parts, it may be worth the cost. But, there are rebuild kits out there already for $70-$90. I didn't purchase one of them for the exact reason I'm unhappy w/what I did purchase (spending almost $100 for crap parts vs. $30). At least w/the kit I got the plastic piece & retainer clip justifies the ~$30 price. It was a gamble hoping the bearing was decent. I didn't expect it to be the wrong size as well as being poor quality.

What would you be willing to pay for a plug & play bearing? $20-30ea (per bearing)?


I will also include the info that Summit Racing sent me a follow-up e-mail as a result of my 'product review' that was requested & posted to their site for the "Made in USA" Crown 4487696K Lower Bearing Kit. They asked if I would like to return the kit for a full refund since it has not been installed. My original plastic retaining piece is broken & there was no spring clip on my set-up so I still need those pieces & will keep what I paid for. My original bearing feels fine w/just a quick/mild cleaning (& w/o lube) so it will work if a decently priced alternative can't be sourced. Others may not be as lucky as I was in this instance so having a known quality source on a 'plug & play' bearing would be a benefit.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

I assume this will work since it says tilt or non-tilt: https://www.ecklers.com/chevy-or-gmc...-340085-1.html

Edit: Unfortunately it says out of stock

I stopped by Classic Heartbeat and talked to Wes a few months ago looking for column bearings. He was out of stock and said the bearings, uppers and lowers, were all on backorder.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

That was a common thing when I searched (out of stock). Also, they list all these trucks it will work for yet the 'kit' I got said the same thing & has a 1" ID bearing.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

So this was a follow-up response about the lower bearing inquiry sent to board member Andy4639 & forwarded to me:

Would anyone care to chime in?
Would anyone want a higher-end ceramic bearing over a steel unit?
What do you think of the price break-down for the small production batches?

Please advise.....

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Did you ever get this figured out? Classic Parts of America has them in stock. Just got my upper and lower bearings in yesterday.

Re: Auto Tilt Lower Column Bearing
 

Nope. I went back to Andy for his feedback & never got any follow-up.

My lower bearing (& upper) worked fine w/some clean-up & fresh grease. The original lower column bearing was light years better vs. the aftermarket part I purchased.