How easy is it to fix the steering wheels telescope?

[Scallywag]

My cousin who likes Marks but never sat in one, sat in mine this weekend and tried to adjust his seating to his comfort(while door was open) by pulling or holding himself by the steering whilst reaching for a lever that's not there to adjust the seat not realizing that the car adjusts to the driver settings when you close the door.

Well, that failed because the steering column dropped a couple inches down when he went to reach for the nonexistent lever under the seat and my cousin had this look like I was going to kill him. Still breathing, he stands by as I check and confirm that the steering wheel is still able to tilt, though a bit exaggerated when tilting down, and the telescoping control does make the telescopic screw rotate but just can't latch on to the steering wheel itself. Steering is fine, just that the cloumn is loose and I can do "Wax on, Wax off" motions with the wheel now and I'm assuming the telescopic screw keeps it in place, or level.

So, how easy is it to put the steering wheel back on the screw? Maybe there's a tutorial that I might've missed/overlooked throughout my search online...

You guys are great!

 

[Frogman]

Of course we are great. This is why you come here for answers to the most commonly covered Mark VIII problems.

I bet if you look around a bit, you'll find a whole "how-to" on repairing the telescoping column.

 

[BAD97LSC]

you over extended the column, or he did, and by the sounds of it your nylon tracks came out of place, they hold the ball bearings that the column track rides on, good luck fixing it, they can usually be fixed but it would be easier to buy a used one here, or ebay or your local pull - a - part and keep the old one for parts.

 

[marked8]

The column is ridiculously easy to replace. I would get a lower mile one and keep the old one for parts (potentiometer). This is the route I took.

 

[98lincmk7lsc]

I've got a couple columns if you decide to go that route...

 

[chicken]

if your mechanically inclined its not too bad. mine did this and i fixed it (although i have a little experience)
YouTube - loose steering column