FAG is now making the 72-76 lower steering column bearings sealed. The original ones were open on one side making them prone to dirt.

Great news and perfect timing. Just pulled my steering column out of storage to refresh these bearings!

Thanks for posting Mark!

Thank you, Mark!

I have a 73 and noticed I can move my column up, down side to side (all 360 degrees).

Do you have any info or links (already read a few) or tutorials (Pelican article - “Steering Column Bushing Replacement” didn’t seem to answer my questions ) that can determine if I need the sleeve for the upper ( sounds like that might only work on 74 and up), or if I need to replace the upper bearing, or the lower bearing , or both ?

Not sure when the change over from the solid metal bearing and metal sleeve happened. Later cars had the plastic bushing that replaced the metal one and created the problem for the upper bearing. Lower ones usually only need replacement when they have become contaminated.