grantprix
10-03-2023, 07:10 PM
I just wanted to share a tip here for anyone needing a replacement upper column bearing, GM part number 5698375. After removing my original housing to replace the "bearing only", I soon found out that these were not meant to be serviced and is why there is no replacement bearing listed in the MPC for these applications. By researching the Saginaw casting number 5698362 on these housings, I found that Mopar used the same exact Saginaw part for their '68 & '69 Full size cars. Of course they have their own Mopar part number 2925504, but the housing itself is identical. The only difference I saw between my original assembly was the height of the collapsible spring itself on the back side of the housing. Once removed, the Mopar spring was a little taller with an extra coil, but the tension feels about the same between the two once installed back on the housing. To be safe, I reinstalled my original spring. Also, with these 50+ year old parts, the bearing grease was well dried up so I flushed out that old grease and repacked it with fresh grease. The part is now installed and works perfectly! Hope this may help others in finding a replacement housing for their cars.
BTW... the NOS Mopar housing currently listed on eBay that I initially bought, was returned because it was badly rusted beyond use, so stay away from that one! The one I received was not the same part pictured and didn't arrive in the original "can" type package shown.
BTW... the NOS Mopar housing currently listed on eBay that I initially bought, was returned because it was badly rusted beyond use, so stay away from that one! The one I received was not the same part pictured and didn't arrive in the original "can" type package shown.