October 22, 201312 yr My recently acquired ea81 hatch has a strange issue. The steering wheel feels like its loose on the column. I've checked the wheel nut, its tight. (Unlike the the nut behind it lol) Any ideas what is loose, and am i in danger of losing my steering wheel?
October 22, 201312 yr Check the lower mount and check out the joint in the engine bay. Make sure there's no play in either. If neither of those are your problem, I'd be looking into Tie rods and possibly the steering rack. Twitch
October 23, 201312 yr Yeah check the rack is still in nice and tight.Also check to see that the steering column itself is bolted in properly under the dash board.I would say that the issue would most likely be with the rubber disc between the rack and the steering column - might be time for a new one. If you've got power steering you won't have this little rubber disc CheersBennie
October 23, 201312 yr Author The column itself doesnt move. The wheel feels like the nut is loose, as all the play is at the very top. There is no play at all when you turn the wheel. It steers perfectly, but the steering wheel wobbles when you push, or pull on one side
October 23, 201312 yr Miles probably nailed it with the tilt mechanism. If that's loose, misaligned or worn out, you'll get some weird movements out of your steering wheel. Good call Fox. Twitch
October 24, 201312 yr I had that issue on my EA82 "BumbleBeast" it was a cone shaped ball bearing inside, it has tilt mechanism, but it is another Subie model... Kind regards.
October 25, 201312 yr Author I had that issue on my EA82 "BumbleBeast" it was a cone shaped ball bearing inside, it has tilt mechanism, but it is another Subie model... Kind regards. This makes sense! Thank you very much.
October 25, 201312 yr If that doesn't turn out to be the problem, you could have excessive backlash in the rack which can be adjusted out. Or the adjuster could have backed out or been loosened by a previous owner. Excessive backlash would cause the steering wheel to have a lot of back and forth, but once you turn it far enough it will engage and turn normally. Edited October 25, 201312 yr by ferox
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