steering column

[Charger jUNkiE]

Doing an inspection and rebuild on my 70 Charger steering column.  Its an automatic with console shift.  I noticed that there is no lower bearing or support.  The center shaft just exits the housing and goes straight to the coupler to steering gear box.  I have looked and looked and all parts seem to reference a bearing that ignores the arm that controls the ign, key interlock mechanism.  Is there a bearing for this?  was it supported by the squishy foam doughnut?  is there an after market option..Can some one send me a pic of a properly done unit. Maybe parts are available and I just need to see a ref.  I have a Service Manual and dealership parts books but sometimes Chrysler missed the mark on given needed details.  I show a Part number 2883543 and 3575884 but some descriptions indicate its for manual trans only?

Thanks in advance

Don

[Dino]

There's a large beearing at the base.

https://youtu.be/SmkOU8CT_aI?si=oo19HB9rXruQlJ5K

[Charger jUNkiE]

I actually watched that video.  It had a lot of fast forward scenes and it was too dark to notice any details.  Approx what scene number was the bearing mentioned and installed?  This guys steering column looks like mine.  Is the bearing being mentioned the white nylon grooved spacer that goes between the housing and the key lock tube?

Thanks

[Charger jUNkiE]

Here is the parts pics. 

[Kern Dog]

Neither of my '70s had a bearing or a bushing. I added one just to center the shaft in the hollow column tube.
I have some spare parts here....I just pulled a bushing collar from another column.

[Charger jUNkiE]

you wouldn't happen to have a picture of that centering bushing would you?  If its the right one would you be interested in letting me get it from you.

[Kern Dog]

If I have a picture, I'll post it.

Here we go......





It is probably hard to see but the outer collar was steel and was the same diameter as the outer jacket of the steering column. It is secured with a few small tack welds.
The inner section was only slightly bigger than the steering shaft so the shaft does not move much.
I'll admit, I got lucky here. I have no part numbers or idea of the specifics on where it came from. It helps to have a stash of random parts like a small junkyard.

[Nacho-RT74]

This bearing setup has been allways a mistery to me. Allways this topic floats on it seems there is not a definitive answer. And I can't remember how it is on my 74.

70 is even the weirdest,  due the weird locking system added! Which got simpler on 71

[Nacho-RT74]

Look at this video...

It seems there is a "bearing" at the outer tube with locking tube but not with shaft

https://youtu.be/5GhnnUm94oA

Around min 20

And reassembly.. note around min 18

https://youtu.be/49L2sIR9OYc?feature=shared