Found lower steering shaft bushing

Hi guys. Saw an older post about guys having trouble finding a replacement for the plastic lower bushing in the steering column. Mine also was disintegrated so I was keeping my eye out for something that would work. Toyed with the idea of drilling out a pilot bushing I had laying around. Glad I waited. I found a bronze flanged bushing at my local hardware store that worked perfectly. For $5 from Midewst Fastener Corp. Stock #65751-J. Thought I would share.

 

The lower steering tube bushing really consists of two parts: an outer steel bushing, with an inner plastic bushing that is pressed into the steel bushing. Is the bronze flanged bushing you found a replacement for the outer steel bushing, the inner plastic bushing, or does it take the place of both?

Thanks,

 

It takes the place of the plastic bushing. I had no idea the steel bushing on the end was actually part of the "bushing assembly" until I looked in my old falling apart tech manual. I just figured it was the endcap of the tube. At any rate the bronze bushing fills the space the old plastic one did nicely, and a little grease should keep it spinning either around the steering shaft or the steel bushing. The flange at the end takes the place of the washer, or in my case I needed two to take up the space anyway.