muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Has anyone found a replacement bearing for the elusive lower ball bearing of a defender steering column? Mine is an early 90, the bearing was shot with most of the balls missing. The part no on the outer race is 22/36 2RS west germany. The size seems odd though, for sure its not metric and not 22x36, more like 22.5x 35.7 Trawled though the internet to find a similar sized bearing or sn LR part no but nothing. The closest I could get to was 22x37 or 20x32. I was told there's no replacement for it and most who repair it use a bush instead. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 https://bmhor.org/steering.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 Thanks @western, from what I understood, there seems to be a procedure of how to replace them but no spares! The original part no. 22/36 2rs does not result in anything. Surely there must be a replacement part! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Surely this is 7/8" inside and 1 3/8" outside? No idea on source, but maybe that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 4 minutes ago, Bowie69 said: Surely this is 7/8" inside and 1 3/8" outside? No idea on source, but maybe that helps. 7/8" inside, outside it's 55.7mm or 1.406" wouldn't know what it is in fraction. Still found nothing. 7/8" id bearings I found, but the OD is too large. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 35.7, or 55.7? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 10 minutes ago, Bowie69 said: 35.7, or 55.7? Opps, 35.7! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Would this be any good, it's a needle roller with the right inside and outside measurements with seals incorporated only issue is it is 13 mm wide https://www.bearingrevolution.co.uk/rna-4903-2rs_-needle-roller-bearing-with-a-22mm-bore-_-budget-range-4093 Regards Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 (edited) Consider using speedi sleves to make bearings fit. Maybe there are some with the right size. Edited November 1, 2023 by Sigi_H 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 This is available on eBay .com from China https://www.ebay.com/itm/363979326842 Regards Stephen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 I bought a new steering column in the end as i was unable to source the bearing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stellaghost Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Would it be possible to machine a brass bush and incorporate a grease nipple Regards Stephen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 47 minutes ago, Sigi_H said: Consider using speedi sleves to make bearings fit. Maybe there are some with the right size. That's an option, I could use a 22x32 bearing and machine a sleeve for it to take up the difference. 48 minutes ago, Stellaghost said: This is available on eBay .com from China https://www.ebay.com/itm/363979326842 Regards Stephen Expensive, and still not a direct fitment I believe 44 minutes ago, Stellaghost said: Would it be possible to machine a brass bush and incorporate a grease nipple Regards Stephen Very possible and probably the easiest way, if I don't find the correct bearing I'll be going that way. In the meantime pm @bmhor maybe he still has some as he mentioned he had bearings, but that was ages ago! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 I've messaged a colleague, I'm sure I remember him saying he'd found an off the shelf bearing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 6 minutes ago, landroversforever said: I've messaged a colleague, I'm sure I remember him saying he'd found an off the shelf bearing. That would be great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 He's replied and currently away in Germany. He seems to remember that it was an off the shelf bearing, but with a machined bush on one of the inner/outer. He's going to have a look through his build file when he's back at the end of the week. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 5 hours ago, Stellaghost said: Would it be possible to machine a brass bush and incorporate a grease nipple Regards Stephen Thats possible for sure, but i´d believe, that they had the idea when engineering the Land rover as well. There is a reason for using a more expensive solution. I´d rather go for sleves and use a ball bearing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 1, 2023 Author Share Posted November 1, 2023 Judging by the unique bearing size the LR engineers probably saw an important point to it. But when I think of it, I can't really justify a mandatory use for a ball bearing. Lets face it, the rotation speed of the column is negligible, most of the time it is oscillating left to right at slow speed. The only issue I see is thrust loads as the bush can carry none unless it has a shoulder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 28 minutes ago, muzaz said: The only issue I see is friction? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nonimouse Posted November 1, 2023 Share Posted November 1, 2023 Try https://www.facebook.com/SomersetBearingSupplies/?locale=en_GB If he can't get it, it's simply not available. Good for seals and belts as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muzaz Posted November 2, 2023 Author Share Posted November 2, 2023 Found a local bearing shop who might help me out. On his catalogue he found 22x36x10 bearings but he does not stock them, never sold one he said. He's going to check with his supplier if still available, if yes I'll order. Hope it fits!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vulcan bomber Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 23 hours ago, Stellaghost said: Would it be possible to machine a brass bush and incorporate a grease nipple Regards Stephen Cast iron is the way forward if you go down that route. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, vulcan bomber said: Cast iron is the way forward if you go down that route. Why? I´d prefer brass as well. Since the steering shaft is iron, it will soon be seized with a cast iron bush. Edited November 2, 2023 by Sigi_H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Sigi_H said: Why? I´d prefer brass as well. Since the steering shaft is iron, it will soon be seized with a cast iron bush. Column shaft will be steel rather than iron. Cast iron is a good bush material that wears well, Brass is probably a bit on the soft side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sigi_H Posted November 2, 2023 Share Posted November 2, 2023 11 minutes ago, landroversforever said: Brass is probably a bit on the soft side. Maybe (I don´t think so), but if not properly sealed it will corrode extremely fast at that place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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