Loose Steering Column - how to fix?
 

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.

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.

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.

District manager approved the warranty work. I'm dropping the car off hopefully sometime this week. YAY!!!!

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

Bumpity. I found this plastic collar broke on my floor this morning and now the steering wheel moves up and down even when locked. Old age I guess. OP, if you are still around, did you end up getting new keys?

Sadly there are virtually NO service parts available for the Steering Column...apart from the U-Joint at the end, and a few fixing bolts.

Same for Miata/MX-5 parts availability wise.

Bummer, do you know if I will need new keys if I buy one from a salvage yard?

You are better off removing your existing Steering Lock, there are two anti theft bolts you have to drill out to do so, and then put in two brand new bolts to tighten up Steering Lock in new salvage shaft.

The new anti-theft bolt heads sheer off once tightened. # H043-66-154 by 2 @ $5.00 each.

You da man, man. Thanks.

It seems like I have this problem with my car as well, and everything I've read still backs up that this isn't a serviceable part.

Does anybody know the Mazda part number on the steering column or if they interchange with other models? I want to see if I can find a good one in a junkyard.

Thank you in advance
Brett

I bought one used for cheap from The Partsgroup - Mazda Miata & RX8 Used Parts.

As I said...there are no real 'internal' serviceable Parts....same part for all series RX-8.

Mazda did some updates from 2005..don't ask to what, as I don't know on his one, they do not say.

Brand new shaft just under $700 in USA.

FE01-32-10XK Steering Column Assembly LHD North America, see pic
F151-32-10XK Steering Column RHD Australia.
FE27-32-10XK Steering Column RHD UK.

https://www.rx8club.com/attachment.p...1&d=1357763848