Steering Column Play Symptoms

Steering Column Play Symptoms

Steering play is something that can get worse very slowly, and in many cases can be so subdued that it is often ignored even though the wheel feels loose. Here we outline the normal amount of free play, plus detail on what to look out for to establish if the steering is wearing.

Excess Free Play At The Rim

Measure the free play. The check is done with the car stationary, engine switched off and handbrake applied. Hold the wheel and turn it from side to side. There should be some free play prior to the wheels starting to turn. Allow for about an inch (25mm) of free play at the rim prior to any movement of the wheels. However, if there is excessive free play it could indicate wear further down in the steering.

Knocking Over Bumps

Drive over a speed bump or similar road feature at low speed with both hands on the wheel. If you experience a knock or clunk whilst travelling over the feature this could indicate play in the column mounting or in one of the joints that attach the steering column to the steering rack. This type of problem is easily felt, in contrast to road noise, as it travels straight up the steering column and into your hands.

Delay Before The Car Responds

Lag between steer input and response: This is one of the most threatening forms of play in the steering column. There is often a small, consistent amount of time between the time a driver turns the steering wheel and the time that the vehicle actually begins to change direction. This type of play can be very dangerous because it can lead to the driver having to make sudden, last minute corrections in order to avoid an accident. This form of play is typically caused by some form of slack in the steering column itself rather than in the tires or tracking of the vehicle.

Looseness At The Universal Joints

With the engine switched off and the handbrade applied, ask a passenger to take a look from the footwell. Give the steering a slow turn and if any of the joints appear to flex or click before the lower section of the steering column begins to turn, then play is likely to exist at the universal joints. Wear of this type is described in various reports detailing wear of steering columns found on various fleet vehicles. Typically these vehicles complete high mileages whilst completing short journeys and therefore accelerate the wear of joints quicker than normal usage.

Rattling When Adjusting Tilt Or Reach

Rattling or Clicking from Steering Wheel Column

Check the wheel column for any signs of rattling or clicking while adjusting the tilt and reach. Next, release the tilt and reach lock and try to push and pull the wheel column firmly. If any signs of wear are found, such as rattling or clicking, or if the wheel column does not lock solidly in place, this is a separate fault to that of play further down the steering column and needs to be looked at.

The Wheel Not Self-Centring

Steering that self-centres. After a turn, let go of the wheel for a second or so and see if it returns to the central position of the wheel on its own. If it doesn’t and instead hangs off to one side or the other, indicates some form of resistance somewhere in the steering column or joints below. These types of problem develop gradually, so it’s easy to miss them until they become a problem.

Clicking Or Grinding On Full Lock

For this test, turn the wheel to full lock in both directions. Listen for any signs of wear, such as clicks, grinding or even scraping sounds. Check if the noise is felt on both sides of the wheel or if it is restricted to one side of the steering column. The lower section of the steering column or the joint nearest to the rack of the steering gearbox could be worn causing this type of problem.

Vibration Or Notchiness At Low Speed

Drive the vehicle at walking pace, with the wheel turned off-centre, and feel for roughness, notchiness or even vibration through the rim instead of normal smooth constant resistance. This type of wear affects the bearings or bushes within the column. As it affects the vehicle security and how the steering lock engages and releases, a notchy feeling at low speed will rarely resolve itself over time and will generally become more pronounced over the months.

The check for play in the steering column parts is very quick and should be done regularly. The symptoms for wear in the parts of the steering column can develop gradually over months. So, even though the checks only take a minute or two to complete you will notice if there is any change.