Clicking Noise from Steering column

[Lav3r]

Tried this literally just now, and have stumbled at removing the steering column trim.

I've removed the 2 screws, and the rubber ignition barrel part, but I can't remove the trim, probably because I don't want to risk breaking or snapping a part of it.

Has anyone got any tips?

Thanks!

[mab01uk]

Quote: Originally Posted by Lav3r (original)

Tried this literally just now, and have stumbled at removing the steering column trim.

I've removed the 2 screws, and the rubber ignition barrel part, but I can't remove the trim, probably because I don't want to risk breaking or snapping a part of it.

Has anyone got any tips?

Thanks!

Push a stubby wide/ thin flat blade screwdriver (or thin penknife type blade) in between the joint of the 2 halves of the trim........carefully twist the screwdriver opening up a gap and the plastic moulding should unclip apart along its length.

[karool]

Quote: Originally Posted by DIOJCW (original)

i experienced this steering column noise on a customers car this week and was quoted $1200 aus for column replacement (parts only) what a ridiculous amount. i pulled the steering column out and found that the bearings were noisy due to them being unsealed and having an unusual amount of aluminium filings in the bearings. these dont take that much load so realistically this is a manufacturing fault. i had decided to pull this column apart and see if i could fix it. got the bearings out and matched them up (part number is nsk bearing 6905 for anyone interested)
and fitted them to the steering column. these bearings had the rubber seals on them so no foreign objects can enter. its was fitted to the car and tested perfectly and the owner couldnt have been happier (bearings cost me $28 aus) alot better than $1200

Hi, is it hard to press the bearing out(do I need to press it out)? Or there is some other way how the bearing is held in place?
Cheers

[DIOJCW]

karool its not easy to press the bearings out if you dont have the right tools and some mechanical knowledge
maybe if you pull the column out and take it to a mechanic or engineer to replace the bearings

[elitetech]

Replaced my column with a new one today, easy job apart from the key cylinder! Found this link which got me sorted out
Procedure to remove ignition lock barrel and get at tumblers

if anybody wants to buy mine to replace the bearing ready to swap them then get in touch!

[langdang]

Thanks OP, just treated a lightly clicking/clunking 2002 Cooper to some White Lithium grease and it is now as smooth as...

My own thoughts? In my case the noise seemed to be a light "plasticky" type click or clunk. I think the actual motion that caused the noise was not a big deal, but the plastic trim around the steering column amplified the noise and feel of it.

I applied grease to three areas :
-the plastic do-nut that the metal column passes thru
-this do-nut is inside an alloy piece that rotates, I greased the two points where this is supported
-I also greased the universal joint right behind the plastic do-nut

How I did it:
-The grease I used was pretty standard white lithium grease in aerosol form
-I removed the underpiece of the plastic steering column surround
-I ran a few lengths of kitchen towel around and behind the parts I intended to grease, to stop "overspray"
-I applied a good coating to the three areas above, poking the aerosol straw into any nooks and crannies.
-I took it for a drive to the nearest big quiet carpark and did a few figure-of-eights, parked it up with the steering locked to one side and repeated the greasing, did some more figure of eights and repeated with the steering locked to the other extreme.(this only helps get better angles on the universal joint, not the other bits)
-Wiped off excess grease and refitted the plastic trim.
-While still in deserted car park I loosened the height adjustment lever and drove around awhile, allowing the steering wheel to adjust itself to it's "natural" position before tightening the lever. I have a feeling that the noise may be worse for people who have the wheel at extremes of the range of movement as you will be putting a larger angle on the universal joint

Notes:
-Aerosol white lithium grease is handy because of the straw, but BE CAREFUL- it needs a careful trigger finger. It leaves a kind of foamy coating so if you press the aerosol too hard you will blow little white spurts all over the place (it will look like you had an "incident" while driving).
-If this doesn't last 6months,next time I might use some "tacky" bike chain lube, like Finish Line wet weather lube

[Shaun86]

mines clicking and clunking and pulling to one side. its in the garage where i bought it! feel like they have no idea.
Sounds to me its the upper and lower coloum?? or bearings?? i just need to know what i should tell them to explain?? im not very good at explaining when i dont understand myself. anyone wanna help me with a quote on what i should say to explain??? cheers. shaun

[matt.harris@comm21.c]

I had the clicking noise on my 56 plate (just before face lift) MCS at low speed tuning. I removed plastic as described (doesn't quite fall into your hands when the 2 screws are removed as you would want it to, but once you get it over the sterring adjust lever its not too bad. Goes back on easier!) Anyway I would avoid a thin oil like WD40 as this will flush out any good grease that is still in the bearing. I used a 3in1 oil in and around the bearing as described. I found it a pain to get the bottle to be able to tilt in this area so used a bit of spare screen wash tubing and poured oil into that then injected it into the bearing by blowing the other end and turning the steering to work the oil into the bearing.

Thanks because I have got not more noises. Seems to have worked a treat!.... Not sure for how long though!