Steering wheel problems.

[NovaLad]

Only just started happening or noticed the past day or so.

When i pull the steering wheel even a bit it pulls out then i can push it back in.

It's starting to worry me as i don't want to be driving and end up with the steering wheel becoming disconnected.

Any ideas what could be wrong?

How can i sort it?

[meritlover]

sounds like the column is worn. check the shear bolts are tight in the slides (if the whole column moves) if the wheel/spindles mooves independantly of the column then theres internal wear in a thrust washer/circlip

[AlexW]

could be the bolt behind the horn (althou i doubt it) or could be a connector is there one half way down the colum on a nova? havnt looked myself...

I remember my mums clio had that sort of prob it was due to the connector 3/4 of the way down the collum the rubber bush had gone. welded it up and never had a prob with it

[NovaLad]

My uncle changed the horn on my nova for M.O.T but don't know if he had to mess about with the bolts in the steering wheel for it.

[Iain]

Check it then. It's only a few seconds to check its on and tight!

[NovaLad]

Do i just pull the horn off unclip the wires and theirs a bolt behind it?

[Iain]

Remove the horn and you'll see a threaded shaft in the middle with a nut on.

You need to check if it's the wheel, shaft or entire column moving though as mentioned above.

[meritlover]

theres a nut, yes.

[NovaLad]

Ok let me go have a tinker with the shaft and nut brb.

[NovaLad]

Ok the nut is fine it doesn't seem loose or anything but their is still play behind it.

Aslong as the nut is on then it should be fine shouldn't it?

[meritlover]

as long as the nut is TIGHT it should be fine.

where is the play exactly?

[NovaLad]

At the very back of the steering wheel where it goes into the plastic bit

[meritlover]

but is the wheel moving independant of the spindle, or is the spindle and the wheel moving together in the column?

[NovaLad]

Everything turns fine but it pulls out and is freeking me out when i'm on teh motorway lol.

[meritlover]

AAAHHH!! WTF is pulling out? im tired of asking.

[Iain]

You have a lot of patience Meritlover lol

[NovaLad]

The steering wheel physicly pulls out towards me.

[Iain]

No way! Why didn't you say so. :roll:


but is the wheel moving independant of the spindle, or is the spindle and the wheel moving together in the column?

Answer this question.

[NovaLad]

WTF is the spindle lol

That's a shopping centre around my way... Spindles.

[meritlover]

the steering shaft. the thing with the taper/spline that bolts to your wheel to transfer the rotating motion to your rack!!

[NovaLad]

I don't know i don't think it is.

I could be wrong.

I don't know what i'm looking at. or if i can even see it.

All i know is that the steering wheel physicly pulls out towards me.

[Iain]

Look at the whole column from underneath and pull it in and out to determine what's moving.

[meritlover]

well if you dont know, im fu**t if i can work it out

[jimbob-mcgrew]

lmao this thread... nova lad, get down low on your hands and knees and have a butchers in the drivers footwell, right next to the clutch pedal, almost directly behind it, theres a section of the steering column that slots into the guide on the steering rack, what meritlover mentioned before, check those shear bolts.. i cant remember the size exactly.. but i think youll need a 13mm spanner or socket, check thats tight. if theres no prob there, i would say check the main column bolts, theres 3 of them, 2 at the topside of it, prety much directly under the main dials (speedo/rev/etc) and one further down about half way bolted near or next to the brake light switch.. but i doubt if they were loose it would move toward you, only jiggle about. i dont know the technical names but what someone else was on about on the first page with play in the bush etc, might need a look at if u cant find anything obvious.

[AlexW]

Another susgestion..... Get someone who knows what there doing to take a look... Sorry novalad

[mowgli]

FOR THE LOVE OF CHRIST, TIGHTEN THE NUT ON THE STEERING WHEEL & MAKE SURE THE LOCK TAB IS BENT ON IT, & THEN IF THE WHEEL IS STILL LOOSE, DO NOT DRIVE IT UNTIL SOMEONE MECHANICALLY COMPETENT LOOKS AT IT.....


Sorry to shout, but I don't want to have to pay my respects to you as you pass by slowly, if you get what I mean.................

[Lee]

Use the spring compressors again! lol

EDIT: we have this smiley for things like this by the way >>>> :wall:

[NovaLad]

I'ma drive it till i die anyway it's a bloody nova lol.

I'll get someone to look at it.