Steering Wheel Nightmare

Post Mon Jul 25, 2011 5:52 pm

Every time I turn the wheel in any direction there is a hideos screech from the steering column right at the top where the wheel joins the column. I've had the wheel off about a million times trying to fix it, I've even had the steering column apart, I've even tried filling it with grease but nothing will stop this screech. When the wheel is removed there is a metal collar is there supposed to be another washer of some sort.
When the wheel is fitted you can press the steering wheel down a tiny amount and the steering becomes looser and the noise stops as soon as you take the pressure off the wheel seems stiffer than it should do and of course it screeches. Clearly there shouldnt be movement.

I give up.

Post Tue Jul 26, 2011 11:01 am

Need to be a bit clearer, is it a metal grinding noise also is it an aftermarket wheel boss etc

Post Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:44 pm

Sounds like play in the upper column bearing,to me!

Post Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:48 pm

Are you putting in the big flat washer before fitting the main nut for the steering wheel?

Post Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:18 pm

I fixed it I found it was a common problem in another forum. It was the lower bearing and the noise was travelling up the shaft. I drilled a small hole in the column filled it with oil and it's perfect now. Only been driving me mad for about a year.

Post Sun Jun 17, 2012 4:45 pm

Hi, just wandering where you drilled the whole as I have the same problem. Also do you have link for the other forum?

Post Sun Jun 17, 2012 5:09 pm

turkeysneck wrote:I fixed it I found it was a common problem in another forum. It was the lower bearing and the noise was travelling up the shaft. I drilled a small hole in the column filled it with oil and it's perfect now. Only been driving me mad for about a year.

Aah, the old tricks are always the best!

Drill the hole about 5 inches from the base of the column and fire some engine oil in there with an oil can.