Steering Wheel loose - strange...

[KMC]

Just got back from deer hunting this weekend. Alot of shake, rattle, and roll on bad forest service roads... . When I got near home I noticed the steering wheel has a large amount of loose play up and down and side to side of nearly an inch. Pulled the cover and the wheel nut to spline connection is tight. The play seems to be coming from farther down the column at or near the tilt mechanism. Anybody had this problem or any suggestions? The lower shaft is good and was replaced with Borgeson shaft 20k ago. Also the steering gear has also been replaced.



Thanks, Ken

 

[paccool]

Ken,

Check the frame around the steering box. Some of the guys have had problems with cracks in the frame at this location.

 

[KMC]

Thanks Stan for the suggestion. The lower end has all been completely redone. Previous owner had the lower bracket to frame failure and took it to the dealer. They replaced the bracket and the steering gear and he replaced the lower shaft with a Borgeson. Inspection of frame reveals no cracks. When I move the wheel the lower assemble is perfectly still.



This current wiggle is pretty much isolated to somwhere in upper column near where the hinge for the steering wheel tilt control is. Of course the manual says that this unit is not serviceable and only comes as a complete unit. Guess I will call the stealer and see how much I am in for this time!



Just wondering if anyone else has had a column failure in this area before... .



Ken

 

[KMC]

UPDATE

Ok, here is what I found for those interested or for anyones future need.



I pulled the steering wheel and found that the top bearing in the column was loose. The reason being is that there is a snap ring and bushing that are locked in place to tighten the bearing assembly. The snap ring got jiggled out of it's groove and allowed alot of freeplay and hence the loose wheel. I am hoping I can fix this by tapping everything back into place and reinstalling the snap ring.



If not I can pull the column and get it rebuilt at a place called Empire Steering Columns in CA for a price of $100-$200 which is what I will do if need be.



How much to just get a replacement column from the dealer you ask? I was quoted $735!!!!!!! What a joke! Even the parts guy laughed and agreed the first thing he would do would head for the wrecker. Those guys never cease to amaze me... .



Ken

 

[paccool]

Well, it sounds like the problem is something simple. Pulling the wheel and all that can be a pain in the you know where, hopefully it will all go together OK. Is the bearing something that you could get from a bearing supplier? Does it need to be replaced? I'm the type that if something is apart, the bearings get replaced if they need it or not.



Stan

 

[KMC]

I hear you there Stan. Better to do it once and not be back again in a few months to fix it again. The only problem is that I need to have it all back together again in a week and a half to go hunting again - this time for Elk!



I would imagine that the bearings have probably taken a beating. All that shaking with the support loose would not do a bearing good. But it is hard to tell by inspection since I can't see much of it. I don't think I can pull the bearing without removing the column. It appears to sit in some sort of outer race that I think has to be driven out from the back side.



I will probably call the Column rebuilder again tomorrow and see what he thinks - seemed like an honest guy. Can't seem to find anyone local or in WA state that does this kind of work.



Ken

 

[paccool]

well, you sure don't have a lot of time to fool with it if elk hunting is coming up. Priorities!! Where are you going to hunt at?



Do you know where in CA that rebuilder is located at?



I looked in my DC service manual and it says the steering column is designed to be serviced as an assembly. That sure doesn't help much.



Stan

 

[KMC]

Stan:



Ah yes, priorities! SW Washington, Wakiakum County. Going with my brother-in-law, should be fun! Supposedly my father-in-law has scouted out a herd with a few bulls.



These are the guys I found. I think they are somewhere near San Bernardino. http://www.empiresteering.com/index.html



That is what I read in my manual too. Then I called the stealer and just about puked. Figured there had to be a better way. The guy at empire said that though they are one unit they can be serviced and that they can usually get to all the bearings, etc. He also said that if he can't repair my existing one he can find me another one for about the same price of the rebuild. So either way it is a win win.



Ken