Remove steering wheel OR steering wheel AND steering hub.

[Markvh]

Hi All,

I have slight play/float in the steering wheel. The steering wheel floats side to side about 10-15mm at the rim with no steering effect. This is OK on bendy A and B roads but noticeable on straight roads like dual carriageways and motorways where I have to continually correct the steering, sometimes over correcting. This float is also there when stationary.
I understand that one possibility can be play in the top bearings where the shaft has to be pulled up and the serrated locking washer knocked back down. This is going to be my first port of call.
Anyway my question is, to do this does only the steering wheel have to be removed or the steering wheel AND steering hub?
Thanks.

[Lingen]

Mark.
If the top bearing needs tightening/replacing, the wheel can be "Rocked about", but will not produce any slack in the "Steering". If it does need tightening I would suggest you get one of the improved locking rings with Allen screws to replace the daft spring washer. There is a bit more than the steering wheel to remove, to do this job.
It is normal for there to be a little rotational free play at the wheel when the engine is not running, as that is part of the way in which the rack valve operates. However, with the engine running, it should not be possible to turn the steering wheel without the road wheels moving. If you can, then something is worn. It could be one of the steering ball joints, or perhaps one of the universal joints in the lower steering column. Or perhaps even the rack. If you get someone to gently turn the steering wheel each way, while you watch all the joints, you should be able to see where the problem is.
Mike.

[Markvh]

Thanks.
The steering wheel and shaft doesn't rock or move from side to side or up or down. It's just that the steering wheel will rotate a bit giving this feeling of float but the front wheels don't turn for that first few millimetres of steering wheel roatation. I'll check the stering shaft UJ's and steering ball joints first then.

[Guest]

Hi Mark,
I had some play at the top and the special washer is just a joke.I replaced it with the collar and Allen screws.No movement at all now.You only have to remove the steering wheel with the boss attached ,then remove the indicator fitting that clamps onto the shaft,remove the washer and wavy washer and fit the special new collar.I found the answer was to fit the collar and just tighten the Allen screws to hold tight.I then pulled up on the steering shaft and got the collar tapped down firmly.It was then secured,steering boss etc refitted and now more play.Good luck.
Tony.

[Markvh]

Update.
There wasn't any 'play' in the bearings. The bearing tensioner was already the collar and allen key type and no lift in the column. What I did find was the pinch bolt was not fully tight at the UJ of the shaft at the engine bay side of the bulkhead. The play is greatly reduced but still a slight bit there or I am paranoid. The best bit though was going out for a run in it last night at 11pm with the roof down and having a good blast around the local roads. The air temperature was about 20 degrees. Great stuff!