My steering column/wheel is loose in my '97 Mark VIII. Is this normal? Some times it moves in all directions about 1/4"-1/2". Does this have anything to do with it being telescopic? No one in my family or that I know has had a car with a telescopic steering column, so they couldn't help me. Thanks in advance!

It should NOT move at all. All I am going to say is be careful and do not pull hard in it or the column may collapse. A recent column collapse on a Gen II was caused my evading a deer and the car got totaled. A TSB was released to install limiter cables, but it was not a recall.

My steering column/wheel is loose in my '97 Mark VIII. Is this normal? Some times it moves in all directions about 1/4"-1/2".

Don't drive it. Get it checked out.

Thanks, both of you. I will bring it to my mechanic Tuesday to get it looked at. :)

which is it the wheel or the steering column? Is there side to side play, up and down play? Describe how it is loose.

steering wheel, if it wears out enough (from moving around, like w/ 'easy entry' or whatever its called......mines OFF :) , just set it and leave it ), theyre will be play and it could collapse.........and the limiter cables have nothing to do with is, from what ive read, just another weirdo pot head design........ yay :shifty:

The limiter cables prevent over extension which can severely damage the system. They were not factory, but added later. If they were part of the design, they would have not been added later.

HMM..something to think about..my telescoping works good no play on mine yet..but i notice im make a rubbing sound when adjusting it....

YORU making the rubbing sound or the column is. LOL Sorry, had to say it!

No Not I....the Colume...what Ever U Call It!anyways...

which is it the wheel or the steering column? Is there side to side play, up and down play? Describe how it is loose.


The wheel and the column move simultaniously. It usually moves in all directions, sometimes it doesn't at all. I am going to take it to my mechanic just to check it out Tuesday, and for now I'm not driving it. Well, I don't have my liscence anyway so I can't. Get my permit in February though!:)

If I recall there is a bolt, maybe at a u-joint, that wears out and loosens. Eventually falling out.

Did you notice any ball bearings on the floor? The column travels in and out on a upper and lower set contained in a plastic housing. The bearings are contained in a "V" channel with a stop at each end. The cable refered to stops the column from hitting the bearing stops and breaking them off (been there). If you are mechanically inclined, you can do it. It's easy to take the column out of the car but the actual repair is moderately hard to do. While it's out be sure to replace the potentiometer (common for it to crap out) and don't rotate the wheel, you'll break the clockspring.

To lscgoddess98, If it's making noises when it travels in and out, lube it now. It will fail fairly soon. (But then I've seen your pic [hot], mabey that's why it's groaning)

to funni lube it now!..well true..alil wd40 will hopfully do the trick, got to becareful of the electric things-when sprayin..

;)
as u sayin about finding ball berrings on the floor...looks like im gonna pay more close attention to what im vacuming up!heheh