Looking for top steering column bearing
 

2 years ago I replaced what was probably the original upper non tilt steering column bearing in my 1967 GTO. I replaced it with one I sourced from a local junk yard. He has a 67 Lemans that I've gotten parts off of for over 23 years. The bearing appeared to be in good condition. The column was not exposed to the elements. I cleaned all the old grease out of it and repacked it by hand with Kendall blue hi temp grease.
Well it lasted 2 years, and now it too is shot. I drove the car for 20 years on the other bearing until it wore out, so I'm sure the shaft isn't bent. I was surprised that this bearing failed so soon. The Lemans odometer did say 80,000 mi, me thinking, that's not too bad, but that could have been 180,000 mi for all I know.

Anyway, after all that, does anyone out there have this bearing that they know is in good condition and is willing to part with it. If so, pm me. Also, does anyone know of other gm vehicles used this bearing. Tks in advance and sorry for the long post.

Here's an NOS one on eBay. You'll likely need to flush the original grease out of the bearing and repack it.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/176521091575

The search feature in any forum is your friend. :-)
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...=upper+bearing

Did you get the one on ebay? I see it's sold now.

Hey 428,

Great information for anyone needing a switch/bearing for their ‘67 Tempest Series car.

Thanks!

You're welcome, 60sstuff! Always willing to help those that are appreciative of my time.

What’s the part #. I bout a few years back.

Part # info is shown here....
https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...=upper+bearing

I’m seeing a Chrysler part, what’s the GM part number. Can you work with me here. lol.

Seriously? It's clearly spelled out in the first sentence of that post.
GM # is 5698375.

Just the part number is better than going through a long thread. Thanks. I’ll look.

Any superseded part numbers?

Well, the reason I spent the time to write that post is so others can search by the different numbers and ways to find one. I just assumed you would have read it after I gave you the link to the post.

No, that was the only number used by GM. It was only used for two years, '67 & '68.

The part number on the assembly is 5698362. This is not a gm number as far as I know. This part was used for 2 years in 67 and 68 gm cars, but it was also used in 68 and 69 chrysler and Plymouth, as they also used the saginaw steering column.
I did buy the one online, I hated paying what they wanted for it, but I needed it, so I had to pay. I'm more focused on replacing just the bearing now. As everyone knows, this assembly was never meant to be serviced. If the bearing or any other part of it went bad, you threw it away and replaced it. You can't do that any more because they don't make it anymore, and the used and NOS ones have pretty much dried up. The ones still out there are outrageously priced. I have successfully removed just the bearing and am attempting to find a better and stronger sealed bearing to press into the housing. When you remove the original bearing, you can see how little contact there is between the bearing and the housing. This is causing the bearing to wobble and work loose. Today's modern sealed bearings have full contact on the outside edge and will never wobble loose once pressed into place.
I'd much rather spend $120 paying a machine shop to bore the assembly to 33 thousandths to accept a better bearing, and I can guarantee it won't cost me that much, and it will be a better part. You'll understand better once you get it apart. It's 1967 technology, I plan on making it 2024 technology.

Correct, 5698362 is the Saginaw casting number for the housing only, not the assembly. That number is often used by sellers and you can find them that way. Hopefully you're new NOS part will last longer. Good luck on the bearing upgrade, sounds like a permanent solution. BTW, here's an NOS GM one that listed on ebay recently.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/196405542783

Just like I said earlier. The prices they're asking now for these is outrageous. I have a place they can put thay part, and the sun never shines there. What they're doing is called gouging. No thanks.

Looks to be diff

I'm not sure what that bearing is, but I do know, if you can get the bearing itself, ( and I think you can), there's no way to replace it. I had to use a grinder to carefully remove just enough material from the top side of the housing just to get the old bearing out. The 6 raised tabs inside the bore are what the bearings outer edge were in contact with, and they're severely worn, which is what's causing them to fail. It's 1967 technology. Look at the original bearing and a sealed bearings outer sidewall. It'll have full contact and no chance to wear.
I'll post pics when I find and install a better bearing.

Only one avail , one was disco’d when I bought them. Firebird, figured it may be yours.
I think it’s the one that’s towards the top