scary problem!

[mpk490p]

dont know if anyone else has had this, but i pulled off a bit shapish and my steering wheel moved about 1" towards me!! i do have a after market wheel, it popped out the plastic clip which makes the indicators return!, i plulled over lined it up again and it pushed straight back in no problems, just worried that ever time i pull off quick or pull on the wheel it\'s gonna move 1" towards me, gave it a good pull and it wont go any more than that, have i missed something or has anyone else had this?

thanks
Mark

[Ada7]

That is a scary thing to happen mate!!
No idea why it would happen and its lucky that you could still steer. I\'d get that looked at just to make sure it lined up right and incase it does it again and you cant steer.

Adam

[mpk490p]

i had a good look around and every thing is fine, it just seems like i missed a bolt that grips it in there but like i say it only comes out so far and i still have steering:Thumbsup!
i need to change the dash over the winter so i wil check it all again then, the cars not used much so im not to concerned yet!
just thought someone might have come across the same thing
Mark

[mpk490p]

Found the problem the steering column is actually a telescoping rod within the black column jacket that runs from the steering wheel to the box. The column is not much more than a half-inch thick, and it\'s designed to collapse in the event of an accident. The two plastic rivets that keep the telescoping column at its full length will not break easily, but a hammer blow could be enough to render the steering box and column usless.

In the event that you do break the collapsible shaft, I\'ve heard of a few remedies. One is to remove the steering box and shaft, and then tack weld the column to the correct length. Another suggestion that I\'ve heard was to drill a hole through the shaft where the plastic rivets are, and replace them with nylon screws. (Aftermarket license plate screws are often made of nylon or plastic.)

The best suggestion that I\'ve found came from Dave Barniger at KD Rotary, and it can be done with the column and steering gear in place: turn the steering wheel so that the wheels are straight ahead and position the wheel so that you have the desired clearance between the wheel and the plastic steering column covers. From the floorboard, measure 7.5" up the column, and then drill a 1/2" hole into the bottom of the steel column jacket. Then, through that hole, drill a quarter or eighth inch hole through the collapsible shaft. Install a quarter or eighth inch ALUMINUM pop rivet into the hole and you\'re done! The idea behind using an aluminum rivet is to retain the safety factor of the collapsible shaft. I should note that I\'ve not done this yet but will do when i have the time i have got used to it now and it onl does it when you really pull on the wheel. Dave says he\'s done it probably twenty times, and it only takes 15 minutes or so.

However to prevent having this problem use a suitable puller to remove the steering wheel unlike the person who did mine before me!!

Mark