Loose steering wheel spline.

tourer · 11th July 2014, 20:37

Evening all, has anyone come across a loose steering wheel to column spline?
I've been looking into a front end rattle/rumble on my CDT Tourer and can find nothing obvious. Today was MOT day, so I left the undertray off and asked the examiner to let me know if he spotted anything relevant. He said everything looked perfect, except a little play on the steering wheel. He advised checking that the steering wheel nut was tight and check the top column bush.
I removed the steering wheel nut and was amazed how sloppy the fit was on the spline. I expected to struggle removing the wheel, but it fell off. I've refitted the steering wheel after trapping some 1.5 thou feeler guage down the gap and fitting a large washer onto the bolt. Still play there, but I do not think it is the source of the rattle anyway.
By the way, the play has been there since the car was a few months old.
Has anyone else noticed this play, maybe when fitting a new steering wheel?
As a retired engineer, I am used to splines usually being a tight fit.
Thanks in advance for your observations.

ps. Passed MOT with no problems, as usual.

Anon3 · 11th July 2014, 21:29

That doesn't sound right at all.
My feels perfectly normal with no slack, although I've never tried taking it off.
And as you suggest, wheels are normally quite tight and require a judicial slap to get them off.
I'll find out in a couple of weeks, as I'll be getting a brand new Walnut and
Sandstone one

Hence I'm interested to hear replies.

seancar · 11th July 2014, 21:34

I have taken off hundreds of steering wheels and never come across this. Have you checked the steering wheel to see it there is a crack in the splined sleve.

Anon3 · 11th July 2014, 22:32

Also, seeing as you made no mention of how tight the nut was, I wonder if it just wasn't tightened up enough?

Have a look at this thread to see how tight they can be when trying to remove them.

tourer · 12th July 2014, 07:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anon3

Also, seeing as you made no mention of how tight the nut was, I wonder if it just wasn't tightened up enough?

Have a look at this thread to see how tight they can be when trying to remove them.

Nut was very tight, needed an 18 inch breaker bar to undo.
Sean, did not see any cracks, the splines are just very shallow and not a tight fit.
I must add, I have owned car from new and this is first time the steering wheel has been off. No accidents etc.
I do not want to give the impression there is a lot of play with the nut tightened, there isn't. I was just surprised how sloppy the fit was without the nut fitted.

MangoMan · 12th July 2014, 07:18

Seeing as Sean has fitted so many I feel my reply somewhat redundant...

But as others have said, no play on mine either, and I have over time fitted 4 different steering wheels and all the same feel/fit.

I would try fitting another steering wheel to find out if it's the wheel or the shaft - hopefully the wheel...

Ciao.

seancar · 12th July 2014, 10:35

Will say bill it does not make scene does it.wheel splined steering column splined. Once together no movement and there should never be wear as it starts life as a tight fit.

HarryM1BYT · 12th July 2014, 11:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by seancar

Will say bill it does not make scene does it.wheel splined steering column splined. Once together no movement and there should never be wear as it starts life as a tight fit.

I wonder if locktite's loose bearing solution might sort it? I can't really see how it might have play, if the nut is tight.

I think the MOT allows 25mm of free motion at the circumference of the wheel.

klarzy · 12th July 2014, 11:19

Locktite bearing retaining compound...
effective but will make it a nightmare to remove again if the need rises..

Have you also checked the pinch bolt for the steering column position lock, if that is loose the column could rattle a bit...

tourer · 12th July 2014, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

I wonder if locktite's loose bearing solution might sort it? I can't really see how it might have play, if the nut is tight.

I think the MOT allows 25mm of free motion at the circumference of the wheel.

Nothing like 25mm, Harry. Rock not like left-right play for steering. Play is up-down at the circumference.
Only tiny amount when tightened, just concerned how loose the splines are when not tightened.
I like the idea of Loktite, Harry. Might just try that.
Trying another wheel is a good idea but I would have to purchase one and then maybe find it no better
Thanks to everyone for showing interest.

11th July 2014, 20:37	#1
tourer Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer CDT Auto. Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Long Eaton Posts: 1,342 Thanks: 30 Thanked 220 Times in 160 Posts	Loose steering wheel spline. Evening all, has anyone come across a loose steering wheel to column spline? I've been looking into a front end rattle/rumble on my CDT Tourer and can find nothing obvious. Today was MOT day, so I left the undertray off and asked the examiner to let me know if he spotted anything relevant. He said everything looked perfect, except a little play on the steering wheel. He advised checking that the steering wheel nut was tight and check the top column bush. I removed the steering wheel nut and was amazed how sloppy the fit was on the spline. I expected to struggle removing the wheel, but it fell off. I've refitted the steering wheel after trapping some 1.5 thou feeler guage down the gap and fitting a large washer onto the bolt. Still play there, but I do not think it is the source of the rattle anyway. By the way, the play has been there since the car was a few months old. Has anyone else noticed this play, maybe when fitting a new steering wheel? As a retired engineer, I am used to splines usually being a tight fit. Thanks in advance for your observations. ps. Passed MOT with no problems, as usual.

11th July 2014, 21:29	#2
Anon3 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,392 Thanks: 199 Thanked 219 Times in 187 Posts	That doesn't sound right at all. My feels perfectly normal with no slack, although I've never tried taking it off. And as you suggest, wheels are normally quite tight and require a judicial slap to get them off. I'll find out in a couple of weeks, as I'll be getting a brand new Walnut and Sandstone one Hence I'm interested to hear replies. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Villa, Stella, Balti. It's Brummie latin that means, er...... Vis tester available to local V6 owners

11th July 2014, 22:32	#4
Anon3 Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Birmingham Posts: 1,392 Thanks: 199 Thanked 219 Times in 187 Posts	Also, seeing as you made no mention of how tight the nut was, I wonder if it just wasn't tightened up enough? Have a look at this thread to see how tight they can be when trying to remove them. __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] Villa, Stella, Balti. It's Brummie latin that means, er...... Vis tester available to local V6 owners

12th July 2014, 07:18	#6
MangoMan This is my second home Looking.... Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: England Posts: 10,911 Thanks: 862 Thanked 1,111 Times in 868 Posts	Seeing as Sean has fitted so many I feel my reply somewhat redundant... But as others have said, no play on mine either, and I have over time fitted 4 different steering wheels and all the same feel/fit. I would try fitting another steering wheel to find out if it's the wheel or the shaft - hopefully the wheel... Ciao. __________________ *Regards, Bill - (MangoMan).* (Member 00854) http://i1110.photobucket.com/albums/...d.jpg~original

12th July 2014, 11:19	#9
klarzy This is my second home none but not gone Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: March, Cambs Posts: 16,437 Thanks: 894 Thanked 4,247 Times in 3,025 Posts	Locktite bearing retaining compound... effective but will make it a nightmare to remove again if the need rises.. Have you also checked the pinch bolt for the steering column position lock, if that is loose the column could rattle a bit... __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]….All praise Bananaswan….

11th July 2014, 21:34	#3
seancar Banned 75 tourer and t4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: bexhill on sea Posts: 4,428 Thanks: 278 Thanked 731 Times in 350 Posts	I have taken off hundreds of steering wheels and never come across this. Have you checked the steering wheel to see it there is a crack in the splined sleve.

12th July 2014, 10:35	#7
seancar Banned 75 tourer and t4 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: bexhill on sea Posts: 4,428 Thanks: 278 Thanked 731 Times in 350 Posts	Will say bill it does not make scene does it.wheel splined steering column splined. Once together no movement and there should never be wear as it starts life as a tight fit.