Didn't know where I should post this. I'm having a heck of a time. Pulled the column and dash apart for some simple fixes on my 68 442, only to find that my upper steering column bearing is completely gummed up, won't spin by hand at all, and even looks a little deformed. The washers aren't even flat any longer, they taper like they've been over-tightened for years. Is there a source to either buy new bearing assemblies or the parts to rebuild what I have? Additionally, does anyone know if the Chevelle, 442, and possibly even the Nova assembly are interchangeable? I've found used ones listed for the Chevelle and Nova that look identical to mine.

The attached photo is actually from a Chevelle website.

 

https://www.ss396.com/mm5/merchant.m...eering+bearing

chevelle parts

 

Unless I'm missing it, there is no upper bearing listed on that site for anything prior to 1969.
I own a 1968 442. Floor shift, manual trans with a non-tilt column.

 

Have you tried washing your bearing out with brake cleaner spray? If they still run rough then you will have to replace it. I would think the Chev parts are the same as well as all BOP parts. I probably have one of these in my can of steering column parts. I tore down a three on the tree column for parts.

 

I have a 68 column that is a column shift that is in pieces, I can check for you in the morning to see if what I have will work for you. It not I have a complete 67 floor shift column that should be identical to the 68 if you are interested?

 

67 columns are one year only design.

 

yea-but the upper bearing is the same

 

you cant overtighten it-its spring loaded

 

It's missing some *****! LOL
I thought I had cleaned it out really well. But forgot how stubborn and glue-like some of that old grease can get. I had already sprayed it with quite a bit of carb cleaner to no avail. I ended up having to soak it for almost 2 days in a can of Kerosene, and it did finally break free. I cleaned it further with brake clean and compressed air until it spun really well (although noisy).
I've repacked it with Lucas Red N Tacky grease and it now spins smoothly. However, the bearing is missing some of it's *****... I don't feel any slop, but I'm not sure if I can get by as is, or If I need to replace it? So, if someone has one that has all the *****, I'd be interested. (not in your *****, but the bearing)

 

I have one still in the housing like the pic. Have not cleaned it, so it still has OEM grease in it. If interested, PM me.

 

Pics of bearing for upper steering column.