steering wheel help

[alexyjay]

i have a first gen and it seem that my steering wheel moves in and out.
does anyone have a quick fix. :banghead:

[j_tso]

Quick fix? Afraid not.

The steering shaft is telescopic and uses some plastic that locks it in place. They're supposed to break in a collision so the steering shaft won't impale you. That's your problem explained, but I don't have a solution. You didn't happen to remove the wheel by hammering the shaft, did you?

[alexyjay]

no, thats the way i got the car.thanks for the info.

[Twilightoptics]

I assume the steering wheel nut is tight?

Both the gear boxes I got, the shaft telescoped in and out. It stopped at a point both directions.

Might also make sure the column sleeve is bolted tight to the dash.

[rx4ur7]

As j tso said that is caused by the nylon pins shearing. The car was probably in a front end shunt or someone got really pissed.
It can be repaired. You need to take the steering gear out of the car and once out you can take the outer sleeve off. You can then take the column apart and see the sheared pins. You then need to find plastic rod that will fit tightly. Do not use steel. It will not shear in a heavy front end shunt and you will end up with the steering wheel being a cookie cutter, you being the cookie. I believe some automakers use lead.

[Whizbang]

whatever VW uses doesnt work worth crap...dented my steering wheel in my crash.

[BigIslandSevens]

As j tso said that is caused by the nylon pins shearing. The car was probably in a front end shunt or someone got really pissed.
It can be repaired. You need to take the steering gear out of the car and once out you can take the outer sleeve off. You can then take the column apart and see the sheared pins. You then need to find plastic rod that will fit tightly. Do not use steel. It will not shear in a heavy front end shunt and you will end up with the steering wheel being a cookie cutter, you being the cookie. I believe some automakers use lead.

Good info, Thanks. I just reassembled mine from my resto and I must have been rough with it or dropped it. Mine now telescopes about 3/4 inch. I will repair it soon as I find plastic rod. Maybe a craft store?

[alexyjay]

guys, thank you. this winter i plan on fixing it.

[rx4ur7]

You need a good quality strong plastic. And it needs be a tight fit. It has been a long time since I have done one. Forgot what was laying around that we used. It came from a Mazda whatever it was. I think we might have used solder once. It would be easy enough to test. Just make sure you put something on end of the shaft to protect the threads.

[alexyjay]

i have a spare colunm, but have no idea at what to look for. anybody have a picture of what it looks like, thank you guys for all your help.

[rx4ur7]

Once you slide the cover off they are pretty obvious. One other thing, you are probably going to have to repair the ground strap. Will try to get a shot of it tomorrow.