General: Bearings

[currymunster]

Completely off topic this one but wondered if any one could help.
Desperately frustrated now!
I need a bearing but can't find the size. It seems to be like hen's teeth. Can anyone help!?

Internal diameter 22mm
External diameter 36mm
Thickness can be 10, 11, 12 or 13mm.

Thanks
James

[grumpydad]

https://www.kentbearings.com/

they work for me

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by currymunster

Completely off topic this one but wondered if any one could help.
Desperately frustrated now!
I need a bearing but can't find the size. It seems to be like hen's teeth. Can anyone help!?

Internal diameter 22mm
External diameter 36mm
Thickness can be 10, 11, 12 or 13mm.

Thanks
James

That sounds suspiciouly like a "special" - what's it on?

[currymunster]

Thanks, I've not tried them, I'll give them a go

[currymunster]

Top steering column bearing from a 2004 fiat Punto.
AKA my daughter's car....

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by currymunster

Top steering column bearing from a 2004 fiat Punto.
AKA my daughter's car....

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-FIAT...9/303605857832

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-FIAT...6/174617961574

Looking at those, it suggests the upper column bearing is held in place by the peening on the top of the outer column. To me that also suggests if a bearing is available, it's like to be a Fiat-only supply and also that some kind of special service tool will be needed to remove/refit the bearing.
However, my first thought looking at those assemblies, particularly the "naked" one is it's a sealed-for-life job - in other words replacing the whole thing is your only option.

I might be wrong on that, try your local Fiat dealer to see if the upper column bearing is available separately, if not i'd say get one of those used ones, transfer the ignition lock barrel and (assuming it's failed the MoT on the bearing) get an MoT on it then move it on before the replacement bearing has a chance to follow the first!

Even if the bearing is available somewhere separately, it would still be worth a call to Fiat to see if special tools are needed, my preferred online bearing supplier has some obscure automotive bearings (a/c compressor clutch for my Rover for example) but although they list plenty of wheel bearing kits for various Puntos, doesn't list anything connected with "Punto steering" :

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/ad...keywords=punto

You might find one somewhere but where...........................

***EDIT*** Just did a search online and found this useful post on a Fiat forum :

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2-...ng-column.html

Main point from about halfway through that post is "However if it is out of warranty then you need a complete column.You cannot get the column parts seperate,this option is only open to dealers while the car is under warranty, not the general public at time of writing."

It also mentions that whenever work is done on the column (eg replacement) then it needs to be calibrated by a Fiat dealer - extra cost there!

Might be time for your daughter to consider a new car?

[currymunster]

Originally Posted by Laird Scooby

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2004-FIAT...9/303605857832

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2005-FIAT...6/174617961574

Looking at those, it suggests the upper column bearing is held in place by the peening on the top of the outer column. To me that also suggests if a bearing is available, it's like to be a Fiat-only supply and also that some kind of special service tool will be needed to remove/refit the bearing.
However, my first thought looking at those assemblies, particularly the "naked" one is it's a sealed-for-life job - in other words replacing the whole thing is your only option.

I might be wrong on that, try your local Fiat dealer to see if the upper column bearing is available separately, if not i'd say get one of those used ones, transfer the ignition lock barrel and (assuming it's failed the MoT on the bearing) get an MoT on it then move it on before the replacement bearing has a chance to follow the first!

Even if the bearing is available somewhere separately, it would still be worth a call to Fiat to see if special tools are needed, my preferred online bearing supplier has some obscure automotive bearings (a/c compressor clutch for my Rover for example) but although they list plenty of wheel bearing kits for various Puntos, doesn't list anything connected with "Punto steering" :

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/ad...keywords=punto

You might find one somewhere but where...........................

***EDIT*** Just did a search online and found this useful post on a Fiat forum :

https://www.fiatforum.com/punto-mk2-...ng-column.html

Main point from about halfway through that post is "However if it is out of warranty then you need a complete column.You cannot get the column parts seperate,this option is only open to dealers while the car is under warranty, not the general public at time of writing."

It also mentions that whenever work is done on the column (eg replacement) then it needs to be calibrated by a Fiat dealer - extra cost there!

Might be time for your daughter to consider a new car?

It's a very long story but I have the fiat software so that's not a problem. Besides that, this is just a mechanical part and did not effect any computer stuff. I know that because I have already removed it and no special tools are needed.
I have ring the dealer already and they just sell the complete column for £650 + vat

Not far off the value of the car so that's not an option.
This bearing must be somewhere.
It's very annoying for what's probably as ten quid part.....

[VroomVroomClonk]

Does it definitely need to be the same type of bearing?
Could you get a local machine shop or a friendly hobbyist with a lathe to turn you a bespoke brass bush to the correct dimensions and use that instead?

[currymunster]

Originally Posted by VroomVroomClonk

Does it definitely need to be the same type of bearing?
Could you get a local machine shop or a friendly hobbyist with a lathe to turn you a bespoke brass bush to the correct dimensions and use that instead?

I'll get some pictures on here.
I don't know if a brass Bush would do it if not?

[Laird Scooby]

Originally Posted by currymunster

It's a very long story but I have the fiat software so that's not a problem. Besides that, this is just a mechanical part and did not effect any computer stuff. I know that because I have already removed it and no special tools are needed.
I have ring the dealer already and they just sell the complete column for £650 + vat

Not far off the value of the car so that's not an option.
This bearing must be somewhere.
It's very annoying for what's probably as ten quid part.....

If you've already got the bearing off, is there a part number on it?

If not are you 100% certain on the dimesnions? Often i've measured a bearing and assumed it's Metric, only to find it is in fact Imperial, manufacturers do strange things when they think they can get away with a "bespoke" part!
Are there any other cars that use the same steering column/EPS assembly? Just thinking another manufacturer (eg Alfa, Lancia, Vauxhall, Maserati, Jeep etc) may use the same basic EPS unit and may in fact keep the bearing on the shelf for tuppence ha'penny and a brass farthing.
Many moons ago i had a Hyundai Stellar and needed to renew all the bearings in the gearbox. The gearbox was a "built under licence" Mitsubishi box but Hyundai had changed two bearings to make them bespoke to that gearbox. Even a specialist bearing supplier couldn't get them and i had to go to Hyundai. They're were £OUCH as well!

Also the way i interpret what was said about recalibrating the steering is if the column is removed and refitted for any reason, it needs recalibrating. Could be they're just trying to sell the recalibration service but if you have the software it won't be a problem anyway.

Originally Posted by VroomVroomClonk

Does it definitely need to be the same type of bearing?
Could you get a local machine shop or a friendly hobbyist with a lathe to turn you a bespoke brass bush to the correct dimensions and use that instead?

Closest bearing i can find that will fit into the outer column is this one, 22 x 37 x 7mm :

https://simplybearings.co.uk/shop/p2...duct_info.html

All others with a 22mm bore are 40mm and upwards except for one at 37 ish mm but too large anyway.
A 2.5mm thick ring 36mm outside diameter would be needed for this to work. As the bearing is only 7mm wide, it gives room to make a flange/step inside to help retain the bearing inside.