Hey guys well the column in my eb has been buggered for a while now (both top and bottom bearings are gone and non serviceable..) and I need to know if the EA-ED falcon/mont/lane columns are all interchangeable or not.

The plan is to source one bare from the wreckers and the trouble is actually finding a good one.. So many of the columns already have stuffed bearings and I'm afraid i'll just replace it with another dud. I was wondering if there's any way I can check both bearings are ok? ie. shaking the hell out of the wheel seems to establish there's a lot of play in the top one.. however this seems to be making the bearing worse lol so I don't think this is an effective test method unless I plan on stuffing the new bearing too.

If anyone has any tips or experience with this pita job they would be greatly appreciated!

Just replace the bearings?

The problem with the bearing (bottom one) getting stuffed is from the column not being removed completely when removing the dash for doing a/c work or similar work.
The column is undone at the top, and not at the bottom, and just gets dropped onto the seat.
The bearing gets twisted....it isn't a strong bearing, the outer race is just like tin plate, and on the outside of that is a rubber mounting to absorb NVH.
The bearing is a needle bearing.
I have sucessfully rebuilt some steering columns, fitting better/stronger bearings.
It is a fairly involved process.

There is a Quick Sleeve kit, allowing you to dissasemble the steering column quickly and replace the lower bearings. I got one from Gold Coast power Steering (in fact, I have the sleeve still at home). its a 2 piece unit that replaces the one that gets smashed up.

It doesnt have to be a terribly hard job if you get the right parts

Nigel

This is good to know, I have a in an out movement with my steering column. Would this be bearings as well?

Only difference will be in the high series car's is in the combination switch or the column shift auto cars (ie, some 6 seater taxi's/wagons - they are rare tho!), having extra wiring for the cruise control & column auto controls. You can remove this from the column, a bare column will swap with all EA thru ED models. I've changed a couple over the years. You can fit your combo switch onto the new column if you need to change it due to the new one not having cruise if you have cruise.

EB2 & ED will have an extra lot of wires from the back of the ignition barrel for the smartlock - the barrel assembly can be removed with effort & swapped onto the other column too if required. If you car doesn't have smartlock & the new column does, just leave that wire there, and tie it up out of the way, no big deal.

Cheers

ToranaGuy

Do you know where to get replacement lower bearing for an EB1 Falcon steering column? Cheers Nigel

Do you know where to get replacement lower bearing for an EB1 Falcon steering column? Cheers Nigel