So awhile back I put my car in to have the dreaded steering wheel column lock recall. Well, after getting it back, I noticed that the steering wheel had a little play in it. Wel, over time, it has now gotten worse and worse. If you grab the steering wheel, even with the car off and the keys out, the steering wheel wont turn but it shakes very bad. Too imagine the type of play it has, stick your hands out like your holding a steering wheel with your hands at 3 and 9 o clock. Now, move one hand forward at a time about an inch. Its alot of play now and it makes it especially difficult to handle when I hit a bump on the road or anything like that. I know I can just take it back to the dealership and they would have to fix it, but its been some time now and I was just curious if I could fix it myself. When they took it apart to fix the recall did they just not tighten the steering wheel back right or did they possibly break something that holds it in place? I hope I don't sound too stupid asking this question, I just am not a HUGE car buff and only know how to troubleshoot the small things. Any help, other than just saying "take it to the dealership and let them figure it out", are greatly appreciated. I'm hoping we can at least get a few guesses or any info to solve this, without having to take it back to the dealership. Once again, thanks ahead of time guys!!!

 

If you consider yourself only able to handle "small stuff" I'd STRONGLY recommend you take the car to the dealer ASAP.

To get to the nut that holds the steering wheel on the column you have to remove the airbag from the wheel. Mis-handling of an airbag can cause it to deploy, which can do damage to your vehicle, and can seriously injure you ... or worse.

I don't normally recommend taking the car to a stealership, but the airbags really should only be worked on by someone who knows how to make them safe for handling.

 

So, going off what I said, do you think the nut that tightens down the steering wheel is the problem? If so, and you have to remove the airbag to adjust that, I think I will go to the stealership so get robbed as opposed to possibly getting injured. If anyone has done this though and has pictures, please feel free to post pics or any details on the process. I'm pretty good , and enjoy, learning to do these things rather than always have someone else just do it.

 

also, thanks for the quick reply!

 

I'll list the steps to do this ..... you can then decide if you want to try it.

First, it is recommended you use a NEW nut when you put the steering wheel back on. GM part number is 26056108 and retail price is $7.01 I'd get one from the dealer parts department before starting the work.

Also - check that TheftLock is OFF on your radio, or you know the radio code, before disconnecting the battery.

YOU MUST DO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING .....

* Disconnect the NEGATIVE battery cable

or

* Remove fuse 16 from the instrument panel fuse block

I would recommend disconnecting the battery.

WAIT 5 minutes. The airbag system actually stores its own electrical charge so that the SDM can fire the bags in an accident even if the battery has been shorted or disconnected during the accident. By waiting 5 minutes you allow the charge to trickle away making the chance of accidental deployment less.

On the back of the steering wheel you will see the heads for 2 Torx screws (I'm pretty sure they are a size T-20) ..... undo them

The airbag is now mechanically disconnected from the steering wheel. CAREFULLY pull the module away from the steering column. There are several electrical connections that need to be disconnected if you want to entirely remove the module. However, if you have an assistant to hold the module, I'm pretty sure you will have enough clearance to reach in and remove the large nut from the center of the steering wheel.

Put the new nut in place and tighten to 30 ft/lbs.

This will seem weird, but trust me this is how it works ..... screw the 2 torx screws into the back of the airbag module ... tighten them to 54 inch/lbs. (that is INCH ... not FOOT)

connect any electrical connections you disconnected

place the module in position against the steering wheel and press on the right and left sides of the module until you hear the screws "snap" back into their locking location.

reconnect the battery.

Go enjoy a few cans of your favorite brewski .... you survived the airbag !!!!!

 

excellent write up! I will definitely be giving this a shot next weekend, and thanks to that, I think I should be able to handle it. Really do appreciate it

 

No problem.

Check two other possibilities ... these would cover almost any other possible cause for the "loose" steering wheel ......

1) Do you have a TELESCOPING steering column ..... everyone has TILT, some cars have TELESCOPE. If you do have a telescoping wheel try moving the column all the way toward you and then see if the wheel still feels loose when you pull it toward you. If it is tight the problem is in the telescope mechanism .... if it is still loose it is almost dead certain the wheel nut.

2) Invite hot chick over to help ... she will be very impressed with your mechanical skills when you are finished with this test ... take it from there ......

Open the hood and if you look down below the brake master cylinder you will see the steering column come through the fire wall. If you are not certain what you are looking for have her turn the steering wheel side to side while you look down for the movement (be sure column is unlocked if you have a column lock .... engine does NOT need to be running) ..... you will see a universal joint in the column below the master cylinder with a big bolt in it.

Have her pull/push the wheel to make it move while you look at that universal joint. The steering column should show NO movement (other than side-to-side if she is turning the wheel while pulling) The dealer should not have disconnected the column when they did the recall ... but anything is possible. To remove the column from the car they would have to undo that universal joint as part of the removal procedure. It is possible if the joint was loose it might feel like the wheel is loose. If you want to be triple sure put a socket on that bolt on the universal joint and be sure it is in their tight.

If she asks what you are doing you can explain you are making sure the muffler bearings are OK and that the steeing column has not damaged a blinker fluid supply line ....

OK ... that wraps up the testing .... good luck with the lady ....

 

yes I have column play in my 19 ZR1and i am not happy about it.

 

I would think that a 2019 car would still be under warranty. Take it back to the dealer.



(and yeah, I know, this is a "resurrected" 11 year old topic...…)