I installed the rock solid bushing in my column in early summer, it has been great all summer, was a bit stiff in cold weather, this morning it was in the 30's here, and my steering was so stiff that it would pop the shifter into neutral every left turn, and took WAY too much effort to turn the wheel, to the point where its a PITA to drive. Has anybody fixed this on their trucks with the bushing? lube does not seem to help.

If not, is there any place I can get the stock bearing or rebuild kit and toss the rock solid bushing? If I knew it was going to be this bad in cold weather, I would have never installed it. Thanks for any help.

Eric

 

I had the same thing happen to me so I called them and they said to take it out and sand it down some (inner diameter I believe) so it doesn't fit so tight. You might want to call and verify that is actually the inner and not the outer. Worked for me and it's going on 2 years now.

 

When I installed mine, I had to add spacers under the bearing block.
( between block and steel bar ( washers))
The arm was not completly pressed onto the shaft, the bearing bottomed out
before the block was tight against the steel bar, binding the bearing,

Maybe be same problem...causing tight bearing in cold weather..

 

So do I have to remove the steering coloum to install the bushing for the rock solid upgrade on the steering?

 

I didn't. If you have small hands there shouldn't be an issue but if you have big hands, it might be easier to take the whole think out.

Do a search and there is a real good right up on here that'll walk you right through it.

 

I didn't have to take the column out, just get a small die grinder & you will be able to get it out. The new bushing needs tapped in, this was the hardest part, trying to get the hammer to swing in that tight area.

 

Has anyone with a manual transmission had problems in the cold? Thinking of getting one to see if it helps with my wandering steering before I spend the big money on tie rod ends and ball joints (again).