Question about steering column rebuild:

[keenkeener]

How tight should the steering shaft be in the column. I just rebuilt my column and im afraid I may have messed something up. The bearings, alignment,... ? The shaft is fairly tight in the column and somewhat difficult to spin. Its not bad with the wheel on the shaft but probably would not spin freely if you just gave it a whirl and let it spin. (it would stop shortly after force was applied)

Is the bearing bad? Did I mess something up?

[jaak]

Don't know what the problem may be, but when I rebuilt mine I used a brand new lower bearing, (the upper was in good shape, re-used it) and mine spins freely with no tightness.

Jason

[tan top]

Don't know what the problem may be, but when I rebuilt mine I used a brand new lower bearing, (the upper was in good shape, re-used it) and mine spins freely with no tightness.

Jason

me too !!

   , is the column in the car !!  did you take any pictures  of it in pieces 

[b5blue]

Is the in/out adjusted correct at the coupler? You didn't collapse the steering shaft binding plastic plug did ya? Loosen your mounts and try adjusting the angle with shims to get it loose, it should not bind. 

[keenkeener]

I took the column out of the car and disassembled it, cleaned it, painted, and reassembled. This is when I felt the binding. 

Update: I took it apart and put it back together about 3 times and finally think I got it. It is OK now. You cant feel any binding in the wheel but still can a bit when rotating the shaft by hand. I think it was the lower bearing that was a bit out of alignment and may be worn out.