Steering wheel feels loose again.
Steering wheel feels loose again. Car is no longer under warranty. But when it was under warranty, I had to take it in because the steering wheel was becoming loose. What I mean by loose is that you can grab it and move it side to side about ½ to 1 inch. You can also move it up and down about the same. So does anyone know how to tighten it? I have not had a chance to get a good look at what I need to do to tighten it. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Dave
Dave
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 34,647
Likes: 2,574
From: Schiller Park, ILL Member: #317
I had that issue on my 3rd gen Formula about 8 years back, when I still owned it.
What was causing it was the 4 bolts that held the tilt knuckle to the rest of the steering column. Of course that car didn't have an airbag so it was an easier job then a 4th gen. Some of the details are foggy (been almost a decade since I've done this....lol), but basically I had to pull the steering wheel, remove the assemby for the blinker stalk and some various other stuff that was in the way to expose the 4 bolts that hold the tilt knuckle together, then tighten those 4 bolts.
The reason it probably came loose again, is because the dealer may have taken the easy way out and only tightened 2 of the 4 bolts if it's anything like a 3rd gen. I can't remember if it was the top or bottom, but 2 of the bolts were a MUCH bigger pain to get to than the others....I could see someone skipping those other 2 just for a temp fix......
What was causing it was the 4 bolts that held the tilt knuckle to the rest of the steering column. Of course that car didn't have an airbag so it was an easier job then a 4th gen. Some of the details are foggy (been almost a decade since I've done this....lol), but basically I had to pull the steering wheel, remove the assemby for the blinker stalk and some various other stuff that was in the way to expose the 4 bolts that hold the tilt knuckle together, then tighten those 4 bolts.
The reason it probably came loose again, is because the dealer may have taken the easy way out and only tightened 2 of the 4 bolts if it's anything like a 3rd gen. I can't remember if it was the top or bottom, but 2 of the bolts were a MUCH bigger pain to get to than the others....I could see someone skipping those other 2 just for a temp fix......
