Failed MOT - Steering wheel

[redmaestro]

Hi All,

I took my efi for its MOT 3 weeks early, it failed on three things:

Defective drivers side front tyre (now replaced)
Excessive play in steering wheel (need help with)
Wishbone bush needs replacing.

Is there any way of tightening up the steering wheel or common places where they go? The garage said they can have a look at it, try tightening up or replace any defective parts on it but if it saves a bit of time i'll try and do it myself.

Thx as always

[e692wtt]

Excessive play in steering wheel

What does the Red Sheet say? Please copy exactly what it says, to help us to help you more easily :) .

[Russ]

If you can pull it in and out it needs adjusting on the column dont do it too far or the wheel will rub on the shrroud. It could also be the top bush if the movement is lateral

[mgdavid]

If you can pull it in and out it needs adjusting on the column dont do it too far or the wheel will rub on the shrroud. It could also be the top bush if the movement is lateral
OR it could be the track rod ends (or one of them) or the rack itself. As 692 said, what EXACTLY does the Failure sheet say???

[redmaestro]

What does the Red Sheet say? Please copy exactly what it says, to help us to help you more easily :) .

The Red Sheet says....
"Steering column movement between shaft and steering wheel [2.1.2b]"

[secubis3]

I had that happen on a previous vehicle I owned. I followed this.

1. Remove steering wheel boss and make sure the bolt is tight
2. Remove the steering shaft nut and check the upper bush and splines
3. Remove the shroud and make sure the 2 bolts holding the steering column shroud to the upper support brackets are present and tight
4. Check knuckle joint,bush and the 2 bolt bracket at the bottom of steering shaft and the intermediate shaft

This is as far as I got to find a fault inside the car without checking the steering rack and other steering gear.
As I said this was on another car but I can see no reason why It can't work here. But somebody may be better placed to correct me.

[e692wtt]

The Red Sheet says....
"Steering column movement between shaft and steering wheel [2.1.2b]"


Cheers :) . As Secubis3 mentions in his second point, it may well be the "top bush". Follow all his instructions, and at point 2 check for movement between the steering column (the bit that comes out from the back of the steering wheel) and the plastic bit (it may well be coloured off-white - this is the "top bush") it goes through on the inside of the metal 'shaft' (or pipe) that the steering column disappears into.

A picture paints a thousand words, unfortunately I'm stuck with trying to describe it ;) .

[Simon]

Steering column bush kit is available from X part outlet or Rimmer Brothers. Part number QNM 10001 and consists of top and bottom bushes (they are identical) and an upper column spacer in nylon.

To replace it you neeed to remove the steering wheel and the fusebox cover the column shroud, column switches and unplug the wiring to the steering lock. Remove the bolts that secure the outer column to the metalwork under the dash, turn the ignition key to position I and the whole outer column can then be slid off the inner column. The bush fits inside the inner column and it might be hard to remove. I burned my old one out using a soldering iron!

[Russ]

Sounds like i said that the column can can be moved in and out so the outer column needs adjusting
Slacken the 4 bolts that hold the outer column to the shell and move it outwards but not so the wheel rubs on the plastic shroud and tighten the bolts. Hopefully job done. Mine was like that when I got it and got £400 off as I told the seller the rack had gone :hide: