Upper Steering Bearing

[John Clarke]

Hi All,
Does anyone have a drawing of the top bush/bearing at the top of the steering column on a 1961 T5 Coupe, Ours seems to be missing or as actualy dropped down the steering column! All the small ball bearings are in place but there is no bearing. Is the bearing made of Brass or polythene or even felt?
Kind regards
Jay Cee

[Brad Ripley]

The upper steering column bearing for B/C cars is a two-piece assemble held together with a snap ring. The two drawn parts capture the little balls, lubricated with a touch of grease. The part is the same for 356B/C, all 914 and early 911. P/N: 914 347 711 00, about $210. here or at your local Porsche dealer. Likes like so:

[Jim Breazeale]

Hi All,
Does anyone have a drawing of the top bush/bearing at the top of the steering column on a 1961 T5 Coupe, Ours seems to be missing or as actualy dropped down the steering column! All the small ball bearings are in place but there is no bearing. Is the bearing made of Brass or polythene or even felt?
Kind regards
Jay Cee

Jay

My guess is that you have a good bearing. It doesn't really look like a standard bearing. Check the pictures below. The bearing rarely goes bad, but the clip and spring are often missing. The split ring is essential in supporting the wheel. Without it the steering wheel will rattle and one could assume that the bearing was bad when it is perfectly fine.


Steering coulum with bearing installed

Steering coulum bearing

Split ring and spring

Split ring and spring installed on the steering wheel

Regards

[Chuck House]

Hi All,
Does anyone have a drawing of the top bush/bearing at the top of the steering column on a 1961 T5 Coupe, Ours seems to be missing or as actualy dropped down the steering column! All the small ball bearings are in place but there is no bearing. Is the bearing made of Brass or polythene or even felt?
Kind regards
Jay Cee

Jay

My guess is that you have a good bearing. It doesn't really look like a standard bearing. Check the pictures below. The bearing rarely goes bad, but the clip and spring are often missing. The split ring is essential in supporting the wheel. Without it the steering wheel will rattle and one could assume that the bearing was bad when it is perfectly fine.


Steering coulum with bearing installed

Steering coulum bearing

Split ring and spring

Split ring and spring installed on the steering wheel

Regards

If there were any doubt that the ability to post photos to the list was valuable, this post by Jim seals it. Lots of B/C cars are missing that little split ring so showing it and how it is installed should be helpful to many!

[John Clarke]

Hi Jim
Many thanks for the information .
The pictures you posted are superb!
We have the split ring and the spring missing, obviously allowing the steering wheel to wobble all over. Will try and source these parts.
Kind regards
Jay

[Brian Doody]

If the collar which holds the turn signal lever housing has been removed or loosened then if the distance along the tube between the inner tube and the outer circle of the turnsignal housing is too long then the steering wheel will not make contact with the bearing and therefore will appear loose.
I think the drawing in Brad’s latest post on this subject shows the optimum measurement for this setting.

Brian.

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[Brad Ripley]

Finding the spring is easy, or should I say EASY. But the supporting ring (644 347 725 00) is not so easy. But maybe Jim has some in stock. Gee, maybe a reproduction is needed.

[Nathan Presley]

Does anyone have any information on the supporting ring (644 347 725 00), dimensions, etc.?

[Sterling Vaden]

Also pay careful attention to the orientation of the split sleeve in the photo. The flange does not fit into the spring, which would seem to be the normal way, but instead fits into the bearing, away from the spring. This is really important, as if the sleeve is mounted backwards, the steering wheel will still rattle, even though all the parts are in place.