10 replies to this topic

[76lxhatch]

I'm pretty sure it locks onto the top bearing with a step in the shaft below it (to stop upward movement) and a spring and circlip above it (to stop downward movement). Maybe the bearing is moving in the coffee pot?

[S pack]

I have a problem with my steering column in my LH.

If you pull on the steering wheel it will come out over an inch and I can just move it up and down, side to side. The wheel is screwed down properly. the shaft pulls out.

anyone know how to fix this?, having a hard time trying to work out how it locks down.

Cheers,
Nathan

Hi Nathan,
Sounds like your upper bearing in the coffee pot is shot and the two collapsable plastic pins that hold the two parts of the steering shaft together and stops them moving are broken. These two pins break and allow the steering column to collapse in an accident.

Cheers
Dave.

[GML-31]

mate had same thing happen on weekend with his plastic pins... probably not the right thing to do but he has replaced them with rivets.

[S pack]

mate had same thing happen on weekend with his plastic pins... probably not the right thing to do but he has replaced them with rivets.

Did he drill the holes out cause those pins appear to be no bigger than 1mm in dia. I've never seen a rivet that small.

[ls2lxhatch]

The plastic pins are only used to hold the collapsible steering shafts together during assembly. If you really want to replace the plastic pins then they should be replaced with something you can break when you face or body hits the steering column. Replacing the pins with steel will prevent the steering column and shafts collapsing in an accident. It could be the difference between life and death.

The plastic pins are not designed to stop the steering wheel pulling out.

The top bearing in the coffee pot is solely responsible for holding the steering shaft. It is most likely that the bearing has broken loose from the coffee pot. It can be glued or pinned back into place.

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 22 March 2010 - 08:37 PM.

[S pack]

The plastic pins are only used to hold the collapsible steering shafts together during assembly. If you really want to replace the plastic pins then they should be replaced with something you can break when you face or body hits the steering column. Replacing the pins with steel will prevent the steering column and shafts collapsing in an accident. It could be the difference between life and death.

The plastic pins are not designed to stop the steering wheel pulling out.

The top bearing in the coffee pot is solely responsible for holding the steering shaft. It is most likely that the bearing has broken loose from the coffee pot. It can be glued or pinned back into place.

What He said.
Shouldn't need to worry too much about the sheer pins, and oh the pins are located in the steering shaft, they are situated in the collapsible joint (approx middle of shaft) and are at 90 degrees to the shafts axis.
Best to remove steering wheel first and see exactly what is wrong with the bearing and coffee pot.
If the complete bearing is coming out of the coffee pot it may be because someone has replaced the bearing at some time in the past. If this is the case check the bearing housing in coffee pot for signs of wear. Also check for splits in end of steering column main tube where coffee pot bolts on (will need to remove coffee pot to do this).

Rare spares have new bearing approx $80.00 - $90.00 so other forum members reckon.

Dave