66 Steering Shaft Question

[David P.]

My steering shaft has a groove about 3" above the splines. It appears to be a machined groove vs. a wear groove. Is this normal? If so, what is its purpose?

[Dennis B.]

Re: 66 Steering Shaft Question

That appears to me as a failed lower bearing. Your steering shaft has been running on the lower bearing race cutting that groove in the shaft. My '66 had this same problem. Remove and rebuild your column with a new steering shaft. I got all my parts at LIC.

[David P.]

Re: 66 Steering Shaft Question

Dennis - Thanks for the reply. In the process of rebuilding it and had already order a new shaft for other reasons, but good to know that the groove was not a machined attribute of the shaft.

[Dennis B.]

Re: 66 Steering Shaft Question

Be sure to drive out whatever is remaining of that lower bearing race or nothing new will fit down there. Before and after shots.