my write-up on replacing the steering column bearings Options

[Wes V]

I just replaced the bearings within the steering column assembly and thought you all would like the write-up. (lots of photos)

my web site page

It was easy and straight forward.

Now the steering wheel doesn't flop around!

Wes Vann

[charliew]

I got into the bearing deal actually working on a 72 bug that I wanted to put a momo on. I thought the vw and the 914 used the same adapter. It was mentioned on that other forum by the leader but in his defence he said he thought. He is after all a old bug guy. That is better than assume I think. The difference is the shaft is longer out of the housing, there is a longer hub skirt dimension. I had a nice fitapaldi on a nice aluminum adapter sold to me as a 914 adapter. It didn't fit the bug so I made it fit thinking it was a 911 adapter. I later found out on doing the 914 bearing deal that it was a perfect fit on the 914. So I ruined it for 914 use. Lavanut sold me a new style momo adapter for the 914. The vw uses a thin rippled (think corrugated tin) sleeve instead of the nylon sleeve and it can be pushed down from the top. I don't know how well it stays in place. It has a small flange on one end meant possibly to go in from the bottom really. I tried the vw sleeve as I had some and it seems to give more than the nylon one. When I put the metal sleeve in I put a piece of conduit on top as a spacer to keep it from sliding up out of the bearing. I had already bought the real stuff from the bird but wanted to see if the vw stuff was just as good. It's a lot cheaper and easy to get. There is a chance the shafts have a variance in dia. and thats why the vw sleeve was a little looser. I thought the metal one would last forever as compaired to the nylon one. It was ok but I knew I would be using wider front tires and more torque would be on the steering wheel and wanted it as solid as I could get it. Although if it's too stiff I will change to a vw power rack. My son is bigger than me and he complains of the fiero with 8 inch front tires as being tough to park. My left hand is not very good on gripping and I manage the fiero but I'm a little slow on parking manuvers.