73’ steering column lower bearing

[C-Dubb]

Alright folks, I am in need of your expertise again. I am in the process of replacing a broken shift collar on my 73’ automatic and decided to replace the bearings while it was apart. I ordered the replacements from WH but when I tried to replace them, I found that the new bearing was too big. The old bearing is smaller and fits in a rubber grommet that presses in. I can’t seem to find any info anywhere that would assist me in locating a new one. My hopes is that some of you have ran into this before and can steer me in the right direction. The first pic is of the bearing and the grommet separate, the second pic is only the bearing, and the third pic is the bearing inside the grommet. Thanks.

 

[Rustytruck]

Part number on the old bearing?

 

[thegreatjustino]

'73 was a switch over year for the column.

From your photos, it appears you need the later 74 and up bearing and grommet

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Up_or_low_column_Bearing_7476yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Bearing_Sleeve_7477yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

 

[C-Dubb]

Part number on the old bearing?

I am unable to get any numbers off of the old bearing.

 

[C-Dubb]

'73 was a switch over year for the column.

From your photos, it appears you need the later 74 and up bearing and grommet

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Up_or_low_column_Bearing_7476yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Bearing_Sleeve_7477yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

I went ahead and ordered these since they look like the old ones, besides I already tried the other option anyway, lol. Thanks for the help.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yep, common problem unfortunately. A multiple series of running changes in the steering column has a lot of potential for mischief. I'm sure a lot of my customers rolled their eyes when I told them to order all the parts for old and new columns if they had a '73, '74, or '75 Bronco.
I know it's a hassle to send back whatever is not used, and many probably assumed I was just trying to sell more parts, but it saves a headache to have it all on hand. Especially if you have a '74. Some '73's used the old stuff, but you're apparently one of the "lucky" ones to have newer stuff.

Just out of curiosity though, what month was your Bronco built? And what's the letter in the sixth position of your VIN?

Paul

 

[C-Dubb]

Yep, common problem unfortunately. A multiple series of running changes in the steering column has a lot of potential for mischief. I'm sure a lot of my customers rolled their eyes when I told them to order all the parts for old and new columns if they had a '73, '74, or '75 Bronco.
I know it's a hassle to send back whatever is not used, and many probably assumed I was just trying to sell more parts, but it saves a headache to have it all on hand. Especially if you have a '74. Some '73's used the old stuff, but you're apparently one of the "lucky" ones to have newer stuff.

Just out of curiosity though, what month was your Bronco built? And what's the letter in the sixth position of your VIN?

Paul

Built in March of 73, sixth letter is R.

 

[DirtDonk]

Thanks. So March, eh? Normally that would be 2/3 of the way through the run, but in the case of '73 that's roughly half-way through the production run I think.

If you've checked out Viperwolf1's thread about "Mind your P's and Q's" you've seen that oddity. I think it shows when the first '73's (letter "Q") were coming off the assembly line, but I don't remember the exact date of the first ones.

Either way though, it'll be hard to track this set of changes because it seems to have been multiple changes made at different times.
Either that, or the discrepancy is a result of too many people messing about with their stock columns and putting wrong year parts in. Not sure how possible that is, but be know how much things get messed with over the years.

Paul

 

[C-Dubb]

'73 was a switch over year for the column.

From your photos, it appears you need the later 74 and up bearing and grommet

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Up_or_low_column_Bearing_7476yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Bearing_Sleeve_7477yr/Bronco_Stock_Column_Parts

Just got them in today. That combo was a perfect fit just seemed weird that my rig is an early 73’ and using this bearing but who knows what a PO may have done. Thanks for the help.

 

[DirtDonk]

It's not just the PO's in the case of the '73, '74 and '75 columns. It was Ford doing most of the mischief.

And I finally ran into someone with a documented early '74 built in Sept '73 that still has the old hazard switch on the dash and no horn relay.
I'm still looking though, to see when those two things actually made their changes.
But at least now I know I wasn't crazy all these years of thinking I'd seen them before.

Paul

 

[sprdv1]

Too much knowledge isn't a bad thing