robert. · Aug 12, 2012

Hello everyone,

I have some play in the steering wheel which I think is coming from the steering column. When I grab the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock it has movement in it.
I don't know if the steering column has bearings, or bushes which might be away. It also make a strange noise while turning the wheel, almost like plastic rubbing against plastic???

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? Would I need a new steering column.

Pikey · Aug 12, 2012

yu need to make sure you only drive it between 10 and 2.

Sheeprus · Aug 13, 2012

redhand said:
yu need to make sure you only drive it between 10 and 2.

That would suck, I'm usually in work by 8am, I'd have to catch a bus.
:rolly:

robert. · Aug 13, 2012

Thank's for the replies, very helpful... very mature attitudes.

Gunny · Aug 13, 2012

robert. said:
Hello everyone,

I have some play in the steering wheel which I think is coming from the steering column. When I grab the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock it has movement in it.
I don't know if the steering column has bearings, or bushes which might be away. It also make a strange noise while turning the wheel, almost like plastic rubbing against plastic???

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? Would I need a new steering column.

If the play is in the column there nothing to be done with it, replacement only.

stubradley1 · Aug 14, 2012

Have you checked steering damper?

thebiglad · Aug 15, 2012

robert. said:
Hello everyone,

I have some play in the steering wheel which I think is coming from the steering column. When I grab the wheel at 9 and 3 o'clock it has movement in it.
I don't know if the steering column has bearings, or bushes which might be away. It also make a strange noise while turning the wheel, almost like plastic rubbing against plastic???

Does anyone have any ideas as to what this might be? Would I need a new steering column.

1. Don't worry about the noise, it's just the steering wheel catching on the plastic column shrouds.

2. To identify where the 'play' is, get someone to rock the steering back & forth, while you follow the steering column in the engine bay down to the steering box. In the column there is a connecting rod with a couple of universal joints (u/j's) which can have some slop in them. If worn you just replace this.

NTC8478 | Steering Shaft (including Ujs)

Then down to the steering box which often has wear in it, but can be adjusted.

After the box the steering arm has a balljoint which can be worn (just replace if in any doubt - cheap part) & so on and so on.

robert. · Aug 16, 2012

The steering damper is fine, new one fitted about a year ago. It's not catching on the plastic column shrouds. I took them both off and the same noise still remains while turning the steering wheel.
I probably didn't explain very accurately the type of play I have. There is no free play in any of the components between the steering wheel and the road wheels. The actual steering wheel has "side to side" play... difficult to explain!
Say if a road wheel had a bad bearing, you would test it by grabbing it at 6 and 12 or 3 and 9 o'clock positions and give it a good shake, you would feel free play in it... this is the free play I have in my steering wheel. That's why I thought that is was the steering column

I hope this explanation makes sense

robert.

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Pikey

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Sheeprus

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robert.

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Gunny

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stubradley1

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thebiglad

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robert.

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