97 ssei- Steering column wobbles (up/down)

[jonnevilleSSEi]

My steering column (97 ssei) has too much "give" in it. I think it moves up to a full inch up and down and it's not in or related to the tilt column, just a looseness through the whole length of the column, recently becoming bad and steadily worsening. I reviewed this article on the site which ends up dealing with a wobbly column but it's a FULL dismount and assembly of the steering wheel column. (Does everything on the Bonne need to be access impossible?) Please tell me that's wrong. Is there a fast track to a firm steering column? The article is also about an older Bonne' and probably different in some ways. Anyone fixed this already who knows the "tricks"? Please help us Obi Bonne Kenobi!

[J Wikoff]

Mine had similar play in it. What happened was the lead nutserts at the yoke near the firewall had busted when I had removed the upper yoke bolts from under the gauge cluster and let the column sag to do some work in the area, not knowing what was going to happen. I fixed it with two band clamps that criss-cross, holding the bottom end of the column to the lower yoke. I think the nutserts are meant to snap in the event of a crash to allow the column to move.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

I'll need to look for that, band clamp = hose clamp? Are those nutserts replaceable or more partial to the steering column?

[J Wikoff]

Yeah, hose clamps.

I don't know if you can get new nuts or not.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

So this appears to be to be the "right" way to stop the steering wheel "sag". Man that's a LOAD of work (or at least looks like it to me) I'll need to first try the solution with two x'd hose clamps. Any specifics or a photo are welcome( J Wickoff). If you don't have one I'll try to get a photo of anything I devise that works. - thanks.

[MattStrike]

Check the lead nut inserts at the base, that thread you linked to is a different issue than the lead nuts. I welded a M3 nut to mine at the bottom in the center and ran a M3 bolt through the yoke. I figure M3 should be small enough to snap when needed, and no more wobble.

I was able to find some at autozoo, but I was too lazy to do the job again.

[J Wikoff]

Yeah, the wobble I had was a different issues than that link outlines, and doesn't require any column disassembly.

[jonnevilleSSEi]

Anyone have details about opening up under the dash on the 97? The passenger side is easy as there is no electrical but the drivers side has a freekin' fuse panel molded right into the kick panel (grrrreat). Once electrics get involved, it can be good to know where things are headed in advance. So if anyone has dis-assembly photos of that or images from under the drivers side dash, always helpful to know what I'm getting involved in. BTW~ If I had a nice garage with tools handy I wouldn't need this as I'd just learn by doing. I live in a "stinkin' " apt. building with no garages, need to drive off to a friends business and have EVERYTHING I need on me or then keep going out after the project is half dis-assembled. (wanted to explain why I ask so many questions where others might say just go there and take a look!!) -thanks.

[raymwr]

On our 97 I just "unclipped" the fuse block from the panel.
Also on ours the cause of the upper nutserts coming detatched was the lower bolts by the flywall where they screw into the column broke.
Not the bolts but the casting on the column broke.
Went to the pick and pull and the column I bought was the same way and didn't catch it before I bought it.
I've got mine rigged with a couple on dryer hose clamps and a piece if flat steel from work.