Steering Column Issue

[340Challman]

Hey All,
I've ran into a problem with my steering column resto. The nylon bearing/bushing that is on the lock out tube will not come off. There is a slight expansion of the tube about 3/4" away from the bushing and it stays expanded all the way up the tube. You can see where the new bushing stops. It is definitely factory original and is very slight. Just enough to stop the bushing. First I guess, has anyone else ran into this? Is there a two piece bushing available? You are definitely not going to crush the entire length of the tube so what is the work around?
Thanks.

[screamindriver]

A couple questions for you...Did you try heating the plastic ring with a hair dryer or heat gun to expand the ring ?? Secondly...Why are you removing it...Looks to be in great shape...And as we've all found out at one time or another a "new" part doesn't always mean better..

[Katfish]

How far off is it?
You could sand the ID of the plastic to enlarge it, shouldn't take much.

[340Challman]

A couple questions for you...Did you try heating the plastic ring with a hair dryer or heat gun to expand the ring ?? Secondly...Why are you removing it...Looks to be in great shape...And as we've all found out at one time or another a "new" part doesn't always mean better..

Right you are. They are definitely not always better. There was a little slop in the old one and I was hoping that the new one would be a little tighter. Ultimately, I did decide to keep the original. I'm still curious if others will chime in about the expansion section of the tube though. I'm sure it is factory and I'm curious how the bushing was originally installed. I tried to put the tube in the freezer to see if it would shrink enough to slide off and on, but our bottom freezer won't accommodate it. I did not try heating the bushing. Maybe I should have given that a shot.

[69 500]

think like a teenager put some lube on it l0l! seriously vasline would be best lube it dissipates after you wipe off the excess