Steering column loose

[emissary]

About a year ago, my steering column developed roughly 0.5 cm of play in all directions. With the steering wheel removed, if I grab the steering hub, I can rattle the steering column around in all directions. In looking under the dash, I can clearly see that the steering column is loose, but I can't see what has changed to cause this. Any suggestions?

[UltimaCH]

The support bushing is broke perhaps or worn ?

[Steve_D]

The upper column is held in two tubes welded to the chassis. Each of these has a plastic bearing.
I suspect the upper bearing has either broken or has come out of the housing and is sitting lower down the shaft. My bearings were grey plastic I believe.

Steve

[emissary]

Thanks so much for the responses. I definitely have movement in the area illustrated in the under-dash picture below; I assume this is the upper support bearing/bushing that I need to replace?

[Storer]

If my misty memory is correct that bearing is one piece so it is probably still on the shaft above the housing.
They are a bugger to fit without them being behind the dash!!!

Good luck.


Paul

[UltimaCH]

Have you tried asking the good lads at the Factory how to solve the problem?

[Steve_D]

From that picture it looks like the bearing is still in place.

One I have here.


Steve

Edited by Steve_D on Thursday 12th January 12:50

[emissary]

Thanks again for all the replies. So I'm attempting to remove the upper steering column to inspect/remove/reset/replace the bearing. I have removed the bolt from the coupler below, but even with the coupler end loose, the steering column won't budge at all. Is there something else I have to do?

[Storer]

With the bolt removed you may need to 'open' the split in the joint a little before it will slide off the spline.
You must remove the bolt completely as it sits in a groove on the shaft.


Paul

[356Speedster]

Are you sure it's not play in the rack itself? I had the same issue and thought it was the column, whereas, it turned out to be some play in the rack itself. Titan refurbished the rack after finding the pinion was worn (at 6-7K miles from new!!)

[emissary]

356Speedster said:

Are you sure it's not play in the rack itself? I had the same issue and thought it was the column, whereas, it turned out to be some play in the rack itself. Titan refurbished the rack after finding the pinion was worn (at 6-7K miles from new!!)

It appears to be the upper steering column; I could move it around with just my hand. The lower steering column appeared to be fine.

I just received an updated set of bushings that I'm hoping to install this weekend.

[emissary]

So now that I've actually received the replacement bushings, I can now see that the inner lining of my old bushing separated, and the bulk of the old bushing is still in the frame hole. Any tips for removing the old bushing, or do I literally just try to use something like a screw driver to push it out?

[Steve_D]

Screwdriver should do the job just try not to damage the housing.

Steve

[GTR-P]

From the picture, it looks like you have the old style steering u-joints installed.
I suggest that you take the opportunity to upgrade them to the newer style forged u-joints.