The tilt steering column in my Z has play in it. I can move it down about 1/4 inch and it will spring back up. Cars i've had in the past did not do this. What is wrong with it?? How do I fix it??
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Mine does this as well. I've been told you have to replace the whole stearing column. I asked if it was really a safety issue, but was told no. The last couple times I went in for inspection in VA both places raised issue over it, but let me pass.
It's not uncommon. I tend to think it comes from using the steering wheel for leverage as you get in and out of the car.
I'm curious if anyone else has any more info though......Joe K.
'11 BMW 328i
'10 Matrix S AWD
Previously: '89 Plymouth Sundance Turbo, '98 Camaro V6, '96 Camaro Z28, '99 Camaro Z28, '04 Grand Prix GTP -
No more info except mine does it too.2002 Electron Blue Vette, 1SC, FE3/Z51, G92 3.15 gears, 308.9 RWHP 321.7 RWTQ (before any mods), SLP headers, Z06 exhaust, MSD Ignition Wires, AC Delco Iridium Spark Plugs, 160 t-stat, lots of ECM tuning
1995 Z28, many mods, SOLD
A proud member of the "F-Body Dirty Dozen"Comment
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Oh, it's fixable alright. Hope you enjoy working on a 3-D jigsaw puzzle. You have to remove the airbag, pull the steering wheel, and keep pulling out parts until you get to the bolts that work there way loose. It's a real PITA and you'll need specialty tools to get everything apart. Get a manual, rent the tools and spend a weekend.
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OH!! Fun fun fun... So, all it is is a couple loose bolts I'll need to tighten? I've pulled columns apart before to change ignition cylinders, just never in a car with airbags.Comment
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Once you pull the air bag fuse and disconnect the connector at the base of the column, there is not much to worry about with the air bag.Rob B 95Z A4 Tech Page (Part numbers / locations, how to's, schematics, DTC's...) Home Page - shbox.comComment
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I won't need to pull any fuses if I'm disconnecting the negative bat cable, right? Doesn't that cover everything?Comment
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OK, I found the original thread...Originally posted by Joe 1320
Oh, it's fixable alright. Hope you enjoy working on a 3-D jigsaw puzzle. You have to remove the airbag, pull the steering wheel, and keep pulling out parts until you get to the bolts that work there way loose. It's a real PITA and you'll need specialty tools to get everything apart. Get a manual, rent the tools and spend a weekend.
Yo Joe! do you have more details?? I've torn it all apart, but cannot find those bolts. Help!Comment
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A factory service manual would be helpful...... The play is going to be just below the tilt mechanism, that's where the bolts loosen up mostly from people holding on to the wheel during entry and exit.
Told ya it was going to be a bear to get to. Note that the play is from the bottom half, not the top half. It might be easier to pull the whole column from the car.
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You are right on, the play is only on the lower half, and yes it is not easy to get to. Next time I try, I think I'll just take it out of the car. If I cannot figure it out then after I have it all torn apart, I'll just walk into the dealer's service dept. with it in hand and borrow one of the service techs for a second so he can point it out to me. I really had it all apart, and could not see anything to tighten.Originally posted by Joe 1320
A factory service manual would be helpful...... The play is going to be just below the tilt mechanism, that's where the bolts loosen up mostly from people holding on to the wheel during entry and exit. Told ya it was going to be a bear to get to. Note that the play is from the bottom half, not the top half. It might be easier to pull the whole column from the car.
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wobble
it should look like two star or torx head bolts also dont touch th connecters on the air bag static electricity will set it off be carefull good luckhave you out run a ford latelyComment
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Re: wobble
Dont you mean the connector located directly on the bag, after it is unplugged and removed? Static from my finger could actually cause it to deploy?Originally posted by mbigd73
it should look like two star or torx head bolts also dont touch th connecters on the air bag static electricity will set it off be carefull good luckComment
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air bag
yes it has happened wear rubber gloves when i worked at the dealer ship we had a class on them static will set off and i twould be nothing nice to go off in your hand or face it only takes a mila second and its over so be carefull
have you out run a ford latelyComment
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Re: air bag
Thanks for the heads up.Originally posted by mbigd73
yes it has happened were rubber gloves when i worked at the dealer ship we had a class on them static will set off
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your welcome
no problem good luckhave you out run a ford latelyComment
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