Steering wheel lube?

stevea_old · May 16, 2011 at 8:26 AM

I took my steering wheel and column apart to paint it. I checked my bearings and they seem nice and smooth, so I was wondering what lube is best for the bearings and sometimes I see lube on the shaft too. What do you guys put on it for lubrication?

Thanks

CharlesTurner · May 16, 2011 at 8:41 AM

Lube is unnecessary on the shaft. The bearing at the top can be re-packed with a multi-purpose grease or even a thick lithium grease.

pprince · May 16, 2011 at 9:16 AM

Repacking the top bearing is a good idea Charles.

Out of site out of mind. I will put this on the list of things do do.

stevea_old · May 16, 2011 at 11:19 AM

Ok the lithium grease is what I was thinking of using. I know the bearings are not expensive, but the ones in it felt good when I cleaned them up and put a little bit of grease on them. How important do you think it is to replace them? I'm talking about the one at the top of the column.

jwc66k · May 16, 2011 at 2:05 PM

Over the years, I replaced all of my car's and others, steering wheels. On two, the bearings (it's really a sleeve) were split in half. The original is a metal item, the Ford replacement, B1AZ-3518-A, is plastic (teflon?). Although the Shop Manual doesn't specify, I used a light dab of lithium (white) grease. If it moves it needs lubrication.

Jim

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