Steering Column Troubleshooting

General Auto Repair

This is general trouble shooting information. This article is not intended to be specific to any unique situation or individual vehicle configuration. The purpose of this Trouble Shooting information is to provide a list of common causes to problem symptoms.

Noise in Steering

• Coupling pulled apart
• Column not correctly aligned
• Broken lower joint: Replace joint
• Horn contact ring not
• Bearing not lubricated
• Shaft snap ring not properly seated: Reseat or replace snap ring
• Plastic spherical joint not lubricated
• Shroud or housing loose: Tighten holding screws
• Lock plate retaining ring not seated
• Loose sight shield: Tighten holding screws

High Steering Shaft Effort

• Column assembly misaligned
• Improperly installed dust shield: Adjust or replace
• Tight steering universal joint

High Shift Effort

• Column is out of alignment
• Improperly installed dust shield: Adjust or replace
• Seals or bearings not lubricated
• Mounting bracket screws too long: Replace with new shorter screws
• Burrs on shift tube: Remove burrs or replace tube
• Lower bowl bearing assembled wrong
• Shift tube bent or broken: Replace as necessary
• Improper adjustment of shift levers

Improper Trans. Shifting

• Sheared shift tube joint: Replace as necessary
• Sheared lower shaft lever: Replace as necessary
• Improper shift lever adjustment
• Improper gate plate adjustment

Excess Play in Column

• Instrument panel bracket bolts loose: Tighten bolts and check bracket
• Broken weld nut on jacket
• Instrument bracket capsule sheared
• Column bracket/jacket bolts loose: Tighten bolts and check bracket

Steering Locks in Gear

• Release lever mechanism

General Auto Repair

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