If the lower steering column bearing in your mk1 has failed, you won’t be able to find another one at the dealer as they have been obsolete for years.

This replacement bearing is designed and built by Tech-53 in Canada, using the finest materials and components from around the world, and is a huge improvement over the original design.

The outside surface of the bearing is made of Acetal Homopolymer that has been knurled for superior surface contact, and uses 22 individual needles. Compare this with the OEM bearing whose surface was made of injection plastic that used ribbing to hold the bearing in place, and only had 12 individual needles. These improvements make for a more robust bearing that holds itself in place better, while providing greater load distribution.

While not absolutely necessary, it is strongly recommended that the inner race be replaced with a Tech-53 Steering Column Bearing Race at the same time that the bearing is being replaced, and that the Tech-53 Steering Column Repair Kit be installed as well. If you’re going to do this job, do it once, and do it right.

PLEASE NOTE : The width of the bearing (16mm) is a bit wider than stock (13mm). However, there is sufficient room for this size difference within the steering tube. Keeping the width of the bearing at a minimum will limit the axial strain applied to the inner race.