Hello - all of a sudden my steering wheel is loose and sometimes 'locks' and rubs against something when turning. You can actually move the wheel back and forth. I took off the cover and the main bolt is tight. I got under the dash and the movement is not passing to the Ujoint under the dash. The problem is before it reaches the Ujoint. It is almost like a bearing went bad and everything is loose now. Has anyone heard of this before? Do I need a new steering column? Thanks in advance.
Steering wheel loose
- Thread starter thomasphx
- Start date
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Hi Thomas,
Yep..., that's a "park'n-no-drive" kinda thing.
Doubt you need a new column but, shaft(s) & maybe joints are likely in order, from what you describe.
Yep..., that's a "park'n-no-drive" kinda thing.
Doubt you need a new column but, shaft(s) & maybe joints are likely in order, from what you describe.
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yo Thomas
I believe that this is the area of that u-joint under dash
collapsible intermediate shaft @ U-joint at lower end of steering column
Here are instructions by Ford for a 96, but 99.999999999% = to your 94
Could be the Steering Column Tube Bearing, Upper and/or Lower
When checking steering wheel (3600) free play, also check for radial play or wobble between the steering wheel and steering column shaft. Any free play detected reflects wear in the steering column bearing (3517) and can add to apparent free play. Refer to Section 11-04 for steering column tube service procedures.
READ ALL AIR BAG Warnings!
I disconnect battery by removing a battery terminals (Remove both) then wait 30 minutes before attempting any work on the airbag circuits; I have found a few vehicles that had an aftermarket component in it that had a 12v DC or higher re-chargeable battery so look for any add-on accessories connected to batty and starter relay and fuse boxes (at Main Power Distribution Box next to air filter; and relay box next to it and inside fusel panel
I believe that this is the area of that u-joint under dash
collapsible intermediate shaft @ U-joint at lower end of steering column
Here are instructions by Ford for a 96, but 99.999999999% = to your 94
Could be the Steering Column Tube Bearing, Upper and/or Lower
When checking steering wheel (3600) free play, also check for radial play or wobble between the steering wheel and steering column shaft. Any free play detected reflects wear in the steering column bearing (3517) and can add to apparent free play. Refer to Section 11-04 for steering column tube service procedures.
READ ALL AIR BAG Warnings!
I disconnect battery by removing a battery terminals (Remove both) then wait 30 minutes before attempting any work on the airbag circuits; I have found a few vehicles that had an aftermarket component in it that had a 12v DC or higher re-chargeable battery so look for any add-on accessories connected to batty and starter relay and fuse boxes (at Main Power Distribution Box next to air filter; and relay box next to it and inside fusel panel
broncodriver33
New member
I had a 93 bronco same thing happened to me. the steering wheel was flopping all around it was the upper bearing in the column that was bad in mine i just went to local junk yard and pulled a column out of an f150. was not very hard to replace. unless you have an air bag
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