steering column bearings

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bottomshot@yahoo.com - 25 Mar 2008 19:16 GMT

Hi,

I have a 97 sable wagon, 107K miles. The tilt steering wheel has
developed play or slop. I don't mean vibration or excess play as I
drive, but the wheel itself is wobbly as if a bearing or some upper
support has failed. The tilt mechanism is tight.

It started as a squeak then turned into grinding, again like a bad
bearing. Now after a month and several pops and bangs later it now
moves an inch or so in all directions (except fore/aft) and is
starting to stick and bind when making a turn.

I assume this is a bearing issue? Would this be a DYI project?

Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

Mike

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Shawn - 25 Mar 2008 23:57 GMT

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Mike

Sounds like a worn U-jount connecting the wheel to the steering control box. Have
an assistant wiggle the wheel back & forth while you observe the U-joint movements.

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Tom Adkins - 26 Mar 2008 14:56 GMT

On Mar 25, 2:16 pm, bottoms...@yahoo.com wrote:

> Hi,
>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Mike

Upper bearing wear is not uncommon. The bearings are available at the
dealer. It can be done DIY but you should have a shop manual handy,
the column has to come out and be torn completely apart. It's not a
hard job but much easier with the diagrams in the manual.

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