View Full Version : Loose Steering Column - how to fix?


skwidd
07-08-2008, 11:44 PM
Searched for this issue, but couldn't find any threads on it.

recently my steering column has come loose. The steering wheel moves up and down whenever I put pressure on the top of the steering wheel. When turning the wheel into a parking spot, etc it's extremely annoying.

Today I decided to get under the steering column to see if there was a loose bolt. What I found was, in the bracket closest to the firewall, a plastic shim started to work its way out of the collar.

To describe this...down by the firewall, there is a metal collar that is bolted to a brace. The metal collar has a screw in it that fits in a small notch cut in the brace. The steering column passes through the collar, and there is a plastic shim, maybe 5" inches long, I don't know how wide, and about 1/4" thick. This is the shim that has started to come out of the space in between the collar and the steering column.

I managed to get the plastic shim pushed in a fair amount, enough to take a lot of the play out of the steering wheel/column, but I cannot push it in anymore. The edge of the shim wants to curl. I've also loosened the bolts that hold the brace in place to try to get play in the steering colum, but I cannot get enough room between the collar and the steering column to work the plastic shim back into place.

Anyone have any ideas?

Thanks.

skwidd
07-09-2008, 12:19 AM
Alright...See the attached pic. The arrow points to where the plastic shim is. I think this is the steering bearing...I'm not sure.

Any ideas on how to fix?

Thanks.

skwidd
07-12-2008, 01:28 AM
Wow...amazed the DIY forum hasn't responded.

Well, here's the scoop. The part is non-serviceable. It's $803 new, plus install. My service rep is very kewl and remembers when I spoke with him in early June complaining about steering issues. Back then, I was under 50k miles.

We're waiting for the district service manager to reply to see if he will give MazNA a recommendation to install. The district service manager is on vacation, so hopefully we hear back from him next week.

Thanks.

skwidd
07-21-2008, 01:41 AM
District manager approved the warranty work. I'm dropping the car off hopefully sometime this week. YAY!!!!

paulmasoner
07-21-2008, 01:55 AM
Wow...amazed the DIY forum hasn't responded.



hehehe thats cause the DIY forum is almost entirely DIY instructions that have already been provided...

you might have gotten more responses in the Tech Garage