loose steering wheel

[MMeier]

... and no, its not the loose nut behind the wheel!! Went to recenter the wheel after having the front springs redone finally and I must've knocked something out of place when I removed the wheel. It is now loose even with the nut cranked down all the way, did I kill off that universal inside the column or... ... ?

 

[JLEONARD]

Where is it loose?

Is it the connection on the wheel to the column tube/shaft? (That should be a spline that goes over a taper and the taper lock should make it tight)

Or does the column have rotational play now where it was tight before? (meaning the stock "coupler" or pot joint is shot)

Or is it that cheap upper column bearing that disintigrated?

 

[MMeier]

Or is it that cheap upper column bearing that disintigrated?

This is what I'm thinking, even with the wheel off I can move the shaft around some, pulled most of the top part of column apart to have a look see last night and can't see whats up in there. Is it time to replace the whole column or what?? Won't hurt anything to drive it like that in the meantime, will it?

 

[JLEONARD]

Won't hurt anything to drive it like that in the meantime, will it

Well if you think there are pieces of "stuff" in there it could conceivably get lodged and lock your steering... . you don't want that.



I'll bet you can buy the bearing or a replacement baring from an indistrial bearing supply house... if you knew the OD, ID, etc. Matching it up should be easy if you know the dimensions.

No clue if it's available thru a dealer.