How do I fit steering column top bearing sleaves.

[lewdon]

I’m replacing all three bearings on the sierra Mk2 steering column on my S2. No problem with the bulkhead bearing – an SKF 6005RS2 (for £5-50) is a direct push fit replacement. But the two top bearings are ball races with small “star” shaped sleeves to take up the internal clearance.
My problem is how to fit these sleeves. If I fit the sleeve inside the bottom bearing it won’t go on the shaft but if I fit the bearing on the shaft first (against the bottom spring) it doesn’t push fully into the bearing when I assemble the column. Does anyone know the correct way to go about this. Any advice would be very gratefully received.

[phillpot]

Picture from Haynes manual.....




....seems to show the top thrust washer B (by the indicator cam A) going into the bearing C "teeth" end first but at the lower end its the other way round?

When I did mine I think I put the lower one on as per the drawing and turned the top one round


May or may not be right but it did take the little bit of "play" out of the column, and it hasn't siezed up..... yet!

[lewdon]

Thanks Phillpot, that is re-assuring as I have done the same as I assumed the drawing in the manual to be a typo. However I would have expected the toothed part to go right inside the bearings which it doesnt appear to do. Though it has just occurred to me that the taper at the edge of the bearing and the taper on the teeth go together like fox wedges held in place by the spring tension. still if yours is still working I wont worry too much about it. thanks again.