Diagnosis By Symptom - Steering Wheel and Column

NOISE IN COLUMN
Inspect for:
^ SIR coil (lock spring coil) not seated.
^ Upper bearing not seated in housing.
^ Loose column covers.
^ Loose intermediate shaft.
^ Unlubricated horn contact ring.
^ Lack of grease on bearings.
^ Worn or broken lower steering column jacket bushing assembly.
^ Unseated shaft lock snap ring.

HIGH STEERING SHAFT EFFORT
Inspect for:
^ Foreign material near shaft assembly.
^ Misaligned column assembly.
^ Worn or broken lower steering column jacket bushing assembly.

LASH IN STEERING COLUMN
Inspect for:
^ Loose I/P-to-column upper and lower bracket mounting bolts.
^ Sheared I/P upper bracket capsule.
^ Loose tilt head pivot pins.
^ Loose shoe lock pin in bearing and steering housing assembly.
^ Loose support screws.
^ Broken weld nuts on jacket.
^ Loose capsule-to-jacket mounting bolts.

LOOSE STEERING WHEEL
Inspect for:
^ Steering wheel nut tightening specification.
^ Lash in support to pivot pin connection.
^ Upper bearing not seated in housing.
^ Missing upper bearing inner race seat.
^ Loose support screws.
^ Missing or broken upper bearing spring.

STEERING WHEEL LOOSE (EVERY OTHER TILT POSITION)
Inspect for:
^ Loose fit between lock shoe and shoe pivot pin.
^ Lock shoe not free in slot.

STEERING COLUMN NOT LOCKING IN ANY TILT POSITION
Inspect for:
^ Lock shoe seized on pivot pin.
^ Lock shoe not free in slot.
^ Burrs or dirt on lock shoe grooves.
^ Weak or broken lock shoe spring.

STEERING WHEEL FAILS TO RETURN TO TOP TILT POSITION
Inspect for:
^ Bound up pivot pins.
^ Broken or weak wheel tilt spring.

NOISE WHEN TILTING COLUMN
Inspect for:
^ Worn or missing upper tilt bumpers.
^ Tilt spring rubbing in housing.
^ Improperly seated tilt spring.
^ Mis-routed switch wires.