I was messing about in the car and discovered the steering column as some play. Not noticed it before as there are no vibrations coming through the wheel and it feels fine when driving.

 

The whole steering column moves about 5mm in each direction horizontally if pushed! There is no vertical play what so ever, just horizontal. The whole column moves including the ignition barrel etc.

 

I take it this is not normal?!

I've just got my car back after six months waiting to have a new engine put in and mine is doing the same thing !! the whole column including the steerig wheel moves aprox. 1 cm which is quite unsettling when you go round a bend as it makes it feel like the car is sliding .. any ideas??

Yeah, not a huge amount of movment on mine but slightly worrying!

 

I saw Greg was selling a steering uj joint,, not sure if its that what needs replacing.

 

I saw it first!

 

Can a few other people check thiers? pls

No problem mate.. i've had my pioneer avic x1r headunit swiped by one of the 3 places that spent the last 6 months wrecking my old engine and fitting my new one.. so i'm gonna be running around after them till they replace it!!! they will also be sorting the steering column themselves i was just hoping to find out the problem so they don't have to spend another 6 months trying to fix it !!!!

We really do need to start a garages black list me thinks

Would we not be breaking any laws if it was in the private section?

 

 

Anyone else checked thier steering column yet?

Yeah mine wobbles especially when tryiong to release the steering lock but this IS NOT the UJ greg is selling causing it, it must be some bolts/nuts underneath the cowling that are loose

at least i'm not alone lol

The problem is caused by the fixing arrangement at the top of the column, there are two alloy spacers which have plastic grip points on and these either wear or break and however tight the 12 mm nuts are tightened it will not make any difference.

 

Either replace those parts or make some small shims to grip the bracket tighter.

 

Daveman

Yes it's the top mounting point that comes loose.

Mine does it and I just tighten it up every now and again.

It won't come off but it doesn't give you confidence when it moves!

 

I think you can get to the bolts if you take the column surround trim off (easy) but not totally sure how far down it is.

Might have to take the clocks out if its further down?

Thanks lads, its on my to fix list for this week! Do you know how to access the nuts daveman?

Yes just undo the knee pad under the steering column ( 4 fixings usually 2 x screws and 2 x 10 bolts) you will see the hoop bracket holding the steering column up, then you will see the 2 x 12 mm nuts and the wedge shape alloy spacers, this is where it can get tricky, if the fixings are already tight do not be tempted to over tighten as the studs can break.

 

Try loosening the nuts and moving the position of the alloy spacers to act as wedge to clamp the column better, I have seen on occasion when this does not work by drilling a small hole through the assembly you can use self taping screws to lock everthing up.

 

 

 

Daveman

Nice one :duffer: