My '73 steering column moves in every direction, but last night I noticed that it doesn't seem/feel like the upper bearing. What do I know, though.

If the entire column moves like this (icloud link below), is it necessarily the lower bearing, or could it be something else?

Obviously, this is my first time into the column, and man, is this gonna be a learning experience - (indicator switch needed replacement, will replace ignition switch and clean tumbler).

https://share.icloud.com/photos/0xOTITlUBsUJtbldsiNxBtOYw

there is a plastic collar that spaces the steering shaft from the upper bearing, and over time it crumbles, causing slop. a steel replacement is available from the usual suspects. from your pics, it looks like a shifter knob crush sleeve has been used instead of the proper part.

i resolved my steering column slop issues by replacing both the sleeve and upper bearing.

but your issue doesn't seem to be the shaft itself, your entire column assembly is moving. look at the mounting bolts under the dash, and the u-joint near the bulkhead.

That is the factory metal bushing used for 72-73. Yes it is similar to the shift crush sleeve not nowhere the same size. You need to check the "U" joint behind steering column Your steering rack could have a torn rubber bushing too.

Thank you, Aaron, appreciate the advice - I'll check that (my neck is hurting just thinking about it)!


Btw - just for clarity, Mark recently posted that the crush sleeve pictured on my column does do with the metal inner bearing type: "Metal center bushing for VW 111 953 559A is 111 953 535D"

Hope I got that correct, Mark.

To you both, I say:

interesting, i didn't know that

but then i've only had three 914s, and they were all 74+

Thank you, Mark - I'll check that, but as I just need to get mine driving first (Feb-March?), if it is the rubber bushing, I'll have to pull the rack out and address it then, since my tie-rod boots are split too . . .guess that means turbo-tie rod kit from Pelican . . .

you will NOT regret the money spent on a turbo tie rod kit!

Thanks, Aaron - I've heard that a few times - but what exactly does that mean? - more feedback? - anything else (not that one needs more than that)?

old, sloppy u-joint tie rods vs a modern ball + socket setup. the smoothness is remarkable. do a search here for more info, lots of folks have done this.

Got it- thanks! At least I'll have something "turbo" on it

If your going to Turbo Tie Rods, you might consider having the Steering Rack re-built at the same time. I just completed mine and it made a great improvement.

The front end/steering work can be a slippery slope. The tierods replace ones that have 2 rubber bushings that are usually shot and rustedup fasteners.

Did the crush washer 5-10 years ago. Did turbo tie rods this year.

Now have a noisily shaking steering column (?) over certain combinations of bumps—it gets going and then keeps going for a second or so. Not sure what to address, but wonder if a rack rebuild isn't in my future. Car "only" has 255,000+ miles on the steering column that's been in there since at least 1985…