Dodgey Dave Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Hi All... Anyone know of a source of replacement bearings for the lower end of the main steering column on a early Defender? (Pre 91) Item 30 specificaly. The manual shows and details a procedure to strip the column and replace both top and bottom bearings, but I can only find a part number for the entire assembly (and that's expensive!) I'd idealy like to fit a fully sealed part, not just dust sealed as the original. (Why fit something like that to a "multi purpose" vehicle, defies logic, unless your from the darker parts of Brum I guess?) The thing (bearing) seems to be a non standard size (no surprise there then) so general bearing factors can't help, they tell me. It may even be a mad mix of imperial and metric, 7/8ths inch inside dia, about 35mm OD, and about 10mm wide. So far, I've had three "good used" assemblies pass my way, all have the same problem, that bearing is seized, the shaft turnning within the inner race. Eventualy, that too galls and seizes up. Mine went while going round a corner & I couldnt unwind the thing for a couple of minutes, and only then just made it round the block to park up again! It's most definately the bearing, I've stripped the column, and confirmed it, on at least two units now. Any ideas? Cheers All... DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Henson Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 The usual bearing suppliers would most likely be able to match it up. The likes of Thamesdown Bearings, the bearing boys, etc should be able to help. Either take the old one with you, or measure it (outer diameter, inner diameter, thickness, single/double/non sealed). Any information on the bearing itself - manufacturers name and/or any numbers. Les. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted March 21, 2008 Share Posted March 21, 2008 Similar thread here, you'll see i posted the numbers that i found on my bearings, maybe you can find somehting with that? (although you've probably got the numbers off of yours anyway) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgey Dave Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Les, Jim. Thanks for the replies. Sadly, bearing suppliers are not of any help, they tell me it's a non standard part, and/or a protected part too, so even if they had them, they are obliged to only sell them to the OEM, in this case LR or whoever make the columns for them (it's not Adwest, I've already talked to them)... The bearing that came out, has no identifying markings on it whatsoever, making things even more dificult. Jim, your post on March the 10'th, shows the exact same part I'm after. Interesting you had one with markings ("22/36 2RS made in W Germany") so I'll try looking that up. I have obtained yet another complete column from the Finmere sort out on Saturday, and that one seems to turn freely, but noisily too, so that bearing is starting to go on that too... Well, it is another old one... But it is free running for the moment. If I find a source, I'll report back here. Seems there might be a market for them, if I find some... Cheers all.. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest diesel_jim Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Jim, your post on March the 10'th, shows the exact same part I'm after. Interesting you had one with markings ("22/36 2RS made in W Germany") so I'll try looking that up. I've got the bearing here if you want it. PM me youe address and i'll stick it in an envelope. (and a post it! ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Bearing are bearings..... Measure the OD, ID and width and look at the type, ball, roller, whatever. Any bearing supplier should be able to supply or take it to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgey Dave Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Bearing are bearings.....Measure the OD, ID and width and look at the type, ball, roller, whatever. Any bearing supplier should be able to supply or take it to them. Oh how I just wish it was that simple... It's an odd mix of sizes. I've just extracted another failed part (with great dificulty, as the circlip had rusted in, and both ends of that broke off!) and very carefully measured it. It works out at 1.4" OD, 7/8" (0.875") ID, and 3/8" (0.375") width. Sadly, having also just gone square eye'd searching several on line suppliers, no joy. However, I also found a site that say they specialise in odd, obsolete and old types, so an email has been bunged off to them. http://www.obsolete-bearings.com/ Any progress, will keep all informed. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Member Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ball, needle, roller??? http://www.skf.com/portal/skf/home/product...n&newlink=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgey Dave Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 I've got the bearing here if you want it. PM me youe address and i'll stick it in an envelope.(and a post it! ) Cheers Jim, but I wonder if that's actually a true metric part, as though close, those dimensions don't stack up in a way that would fit I think. It's half a mm to large on the OD, and a sniff too small on the ID. Now, I know a bloke with a lathe, but he's a bit crook these days. It's always a posiblility though.... I've also noticed, that the inner shaft seems to have changed over the years, the newer columns have the inner shaft, "wasted" somewhat over most of it's length. The older parts are much more chunky, more like small car drive shafts! I've also had a more favorable quote for a new entire column, though at £140+ Vat etc, it'd still be a drain on resources.... More news as it happens. Cheers All. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgey Dave Posted March 25, 2008 Author Share Posted March 25, 2008 Ball, needle, roller??? http://www.skf.com/portal/skf/home/product...n&newlink=1 Hey Red90... Please read the posts, it's not as simple as just ringing up and ordering it. SKF did recognise the part by dimensions (*NOT* a standard size) and it was they who told me it was likely to be a "Protected Product" only able to be supplied to the OEM... That would be LR, or whoever made the column assemblies for them, if outsourced. DD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmhor Posted March 25, 2008 Share Posted March 25, 2008 Hi Dave, Have a look at http://www.bmhor.org under steering bearings for a detailed break down of how to change them and drop me a PM as I have new top and bottom bearing sets in stock. Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_T Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Hi guys... I'm bringing up this topic, Now I'm experienced this similar problem. Still can't get the replacement ball bearing. do someone here can help me please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 11, 2012 Share Posted April 11, 2012 Not listed as a seperate item by LR, only a complete column assembly, I don't know if anyone has a suitable item in stock, maybe http://www.timken.com/en-us/products/bearings/Pages/default.aspx can help, they will need to know internal & external diameters, how many rollers, depth of out race/casing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_T Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Not listed as a seperate item by LR, only a complete column assembly, I don't know if anyone has a suitable item in stock, maybe http://www.timken.co...es/default.aspx can help, they will need to know internal & external diameters, how many rollers, depth of out race/casing. thanks for your update, will try to contact them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dads Toy Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Why not try giving Bob in Post #11 a PM (personal message)? He seems to have exactly what you want. Malcolm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 Why not try giving Bob in Post #11 a PM (personal message)? He seems to have exactly what you want. Malcolm on his link he does say Unfortunately replacement bearings are not available through Land Rover or any of the normal bearing stockists and at approx. 80 (Pounds Stirling) for a new column, it makes for an expensive job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CwazyWabbit Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 on his link he does say Unfortunately replacement bearings are not available through Land Rover or any of the normal bearing stockists and at approx. 80 (Pounds Stirling) for a new column, it makes for an expensive job. True but back in 2008 he managed to get some even though the bearing suppliers were saying no .... so might be worth asking where/how he got them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted April 12, 2012 Share Posted April 12, 2012 as it was 4 years ago, the supply situation might have changed a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevritchie Posted January 24, 2021 Share Posted January 24, 2021 Possibly a bit of a long shot , but does anyone know if there is replacement bearing available as opposed to buying the full column. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hario' Posted January 8 Share Posted January 8 On 1/24/2021 at 10:14 AM, Kevritchie said: Possibly a bit of a long shot , but does anyone know if there is replacement bearing available as opposed to buying the full column. No but there is a guy selling bronze replacement bushes on eBay, I just ordered one. ahem, chief ancient post excavator reporting for duty… 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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