[Goatracer1]

Who might sell steering column bearings for a 1964 full size Pontiac?

[misterp266]

I’ve searched that before for my ‘63 Catalina Safari. I ended up with an NOS lower bearing from eBay and just cleaned and regreased the upper one.
Post here if you find a source!

[Formulas]

Is there any numbers at all on the bearing race?

Diligent measuring of existing bearing dimensions you might be able to get what you need rather than searching for a 64 pontiac steering colum bearing

[Goatracer1]

They're not like regular bearings where you can read the race.

[triathlonx13]

Any pictures of the column housing and shaft?

[Rachelsdad]

Tilt and non-tilt take different bearings, and tilt has no lower bearing at all.

The last guy I knew who made column bearings was CJ Lane, of CJ's Rods & Machines in Pfafftown, NC. Unfortunately, CJ passed suddenly a couple of years ago - right after he finished rebuilding my tilt column.

So, someone can probably get the part number(s) for what's needed. Non'tilt parts are easier to come by, even though the tilts were used across GM marques.

[HWYSTR455]

I think the auto and manual take diff bearings too.

Many bearings swap over from other apps, so you might get lucky if you knew if something like a caddy bearing would work.

Interestingly enough, an aussie pontiac supplier lists them, but it looks like it's a multi-year/car thing. If that's true, then you should be able to track it down here in the states.

They show a pic with the listing, compare:

https://pontiworld.com.au/usgmsp/pro...oducts_id/9812

Crown is another manufacturer that does column bearings, and there are services that rebuild the columns, those are places to look.

Can scour Hemmings too.

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[HWYSTR455]

Here's an oddball on eGay, lists GM part numbers:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/185212936806

If you had a GM part number, that would make it easier to search too.


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[HWYSTR455]

What's the specific body? Bonnie? Cat?

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[Goatracer1]

Pontiac part number is 5677172 for 1963-4 non tilt. All models are the same with/w.o. column shift. Found NOS for Corvair that looks the same cheap. The ball bearings in mine are okay. The edge of the race is broken. Maybe I can make one out of the two. If not it's not a big loss and I'll keep looking. I'll also try your other suggestions. At least I have a couple of more months to look.

[Goatracer1]

Sorry I didn't mention that part number is the UPPER bearing. I ended up disassembling the lower bearing, cleaning and repacking it. That one should be fine. The lower ones are listed on line for about $80 plus shipping.

[HWYSTR455]

There's a NOS one on eGay right now for $80, upper bearing, part number you provided:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/225567111059

It has the ground wire still attached to it.

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[HWYSTR455]

Here's the eGay dot com URL, not sure why that listing came up as dot ca:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225567111059

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[jamesq]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Here's the eGay dot com URL, not sure why that listing came up as dot ca:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225567111059

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That's one of the rougher looking NOS parts I've seen.

How difficult are these bearings to replace? Does the column have to be totally disassembled?

James Q

[Goatracer1]

Pull the wheel and a few of the parts at the top. Hardest part is getting the horn wire back down the column. Best tie a string to the bottom before you pull it out.

[Rachelsdad]

Only tangentially related, but when I put my tilt column in my '63, the wobble was dreadful (upper bearing shot). For tilts, this was a common problem (possibly due to the lack of a lower bearing). My original non-tilt was still pretty tight (well, at least I don't recall any wobble).

Column parts are notoriously difficult to find. I'd say that if you've got a lead on a NOS one, snag it, even if it looks pretty shelf worn. Chances are that you can revitalize it - if indeed it really is NOS and hasn't been used.

[HWYSTR455]

Tilt wobble is a common issue, and depending on the column, the fix is different.

I went thru an issue finding correct column bearings twice, and a 3rd time for a friend with a Buick GN tilt. It's a challenge. Totally true it's a snag-it-when-you-can thing.


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[jamesq]

I found a NOS upper bearing from CPR (Rich Plastino) on Ebay for a reasonable $60 shipped.

What is the correct lubricant for the horn contact surface?

James Q

[Goatracer1]

I bought the Chevy one. The ad said Corvair but the bearing said full size Chevy when it arrived. It was from a Chevy Restoration parts company so it must be in stock. It was under $30 including shipping. It fit perfectly.