I have the steering column out my 68 camaro that I bought less engine trans therefore have not driven yet. With the column lightly clamped in a vice and I turn the steering wheel it binds. The binding seems to be at the bottom of the column where it goes thru the firewall. Is there a bearing in ther? If so how does it come out. Thanks for your help.

This is a link to a blowup of the Camaro steering column. If your lower bearing is bad, you will need to purchase GM bearing #7805700.

You can see from the blowup, that the bearing snaps into a plastic adapter GM #7805822, then the retainer GM #7804440. The lower bearing adapter clip GM #7804439 holds everything to the column jacket. All of these parts are still available through GM dealers. (I would imagine other suppliers as well.)

BTW, it is always good to mention if you have a standard (non-adjustable) column or a tilt. In this case, the lower end of both type columns are the same, but the upper ends are much different.

JIML82

The lower bearing is not available for the 67 - 68... You can use the 69 bearing with some slight modification to the bearing holder though.

The more I look into this lower bearing situation with respect to the 1967 and 1968 columns the more confused I get. It seems that the bearings are not the same between the standard (non-adjustable) columns and the tilts. Also the bearings and adapters are not the same as the 1969 and later bearings

However, one person has mentioned that the 1969 plastic adapter can be modified and the 1969 GM 7805700 bearing will fit the older columns.

Here is another comment: "I just measured the inside and outside bearing dimensions. I then went to the local farm store and picked up a sealed roller bearing for about $5 and slid it on. I then put on the bottom hardware and clip."

Here are some part numbers on the 67-68 standard column lower bearings: 7802186, 7804200, 7806142 None are available through GM any longer. Maybe you can find them as NOS.

Here is the link to a blowup of the standard Camaro 1967-68 steering column. It is on page #3.
http://jimshea.corvettefaq.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/01/67-68A&FStdColumnD&R1-31JA06.doc

JIML82