Steering column play

[AceOfHearts]

Well it is still there

I tried looking at it out of the car but once out of the car its not noticeable.

What I did notice though is there is the spring loaded union at the top which i am wondering if it is compressed slightly in the car to give the play. (Difficult to explain unless you have played with the column *ooh err* )

The manual rack is the second i have tried with no improvement. All UJs are new with no slack and all the track rod ends and wheel bearings are perfect. It has to be the column

Annoying that the only one i can find for sale is on eBay and looks like it has lived under the sea

[AceOfHearts]

Just to add I just stuck some mole grips on the shaft between the UJ's and wiggled the play at the steering wheel, and the mole grips did not move, So it is definitely the column. Annoying as i have a track day thursday and the play does deaden the steering feel a bit.

Hopefully someone has had this before and has a quick fix for it, or a spare column laying around

[Sardonicus]

Sounds like the joint that is hidden to allow the column to tilt/articulate small nylon bearings/strips IIRC not the 1st I have heard of on these cars but never had to deal with a repair either so I am not much help sorry Lewis

[AceOfHearts]

No worries thanks for the reply. My car has manual steering and 115,000 miles so i am guessing the column has had a hard life.

Would be much easier if it was a solid column

[AceOfHearts]

New column in and the play is gone

Next question is does anyone know how to swap the ignition barrel over with my old column? The new one does have a key but swapping them would just save me having to get a spare cut and having a difference between the ignition an the 'other' lock

[rigga]

Position 2 with key in and there is an access hole on the barrel housing you need to push a pin in to release a spring loaded latch, then the ignition barrel will pull out. Can see the hole with the column cowls removed .

[Sardonicus]

AceOfHearts said:

New column in and the play is gone

Next question is does anyone know how to swap the ignition barrel over with my old column? The new one does have a key but swapping them would just save me having to get a spare cut and having a difference between the ignition an the 'other' lock

Result Lewis especially after discussing this with you at SCR I also remember it being like Rigga states but haven't changed a steering barrel on a Vauxhall in ages

[AceOfHearts]

Cheers guys doesn't sound too hard, just have to get the cowls off again!

[JonathanT]

AceOfHearts said:

New column in and the play is gone

Which bit or bits did you swap out? and have you got part numbers?