Loose steering wheel spline.

[tourer]

Originally Posted by klarzy

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...

Yes, checked the pinch bolt. Terry of TSAUTOS adjusted that a couple of years ago.
Thanks for suggestion.

[HarryM1BYT]

Originally Posted by tourer

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.

Are you absolutely sure it is on the wheel to hub spline?

If you remove the kick panel above your toes (two screws) and the pull the strip of trim above that towards you, you should be able to see the steering shaft, the collapsable joint and check for play.

[tourer]

Originally Posted by HarryM1BYT

Are you absolutely sure it is on the wheel to hub spline?

If you remove the kick panel above your toes (two screws) and the pull the strip of trim above that towards you, you should be able to see the steering shaft, the collapsable joint and check for play.

Yes, difinitely loose spline. As I said earlier, I managed to fit a piece of 1.5 thou inch piece of old feeler guage between shaft and steering wheel. When nut is loosened, wheel is very sloppy and just pulls off so easily. I am used to sometimes having to tap a spline apart.

[MangoMan]

Personally I wouldn't put Locktite etc, will be a nightmare to remove if you have to!!!

I would definitely say it would be the Steering Wheel as I believe the shaft is steel and the wheel hub is alloy.
Personally I would get it seen to, the last thing you need is it to start jumping splines!!

[Anon3]

tourer,
if you can get over to near Toyota (Burnaston) in a couple of weeks time, you're welcome to try my current wheel or my new one, depending which is available at the time

I wouldn't do Loctite either.

[T-Cut]

All engineered parts have a design tolerance, a plus/minus the intended dimension. Maybe you just got a plus wheel with a minus shaft? A different wheel may well tighten up without any play at all.

TC

[seancar]

Originally Posted by T-Cut

All engineered parts have a design tolerance, a plus/minus the intended dimension. Maybe you just got a plus wheel with a minus shaft? A different wheel may well tighten up without any play at all.

TC

I agree I think its been like that from new and unless you undo the bolt you would never had know. The splines must lock together ok if not the wheel would have jumped by now.
Will say I look at a couple down the yard today and one has more play than the other.

[Anon3]

Originally Posted by T-Cut

All engineered parts have a design tolerance, a plus/minus the intended dimension. Maybe you just got a plus wheel with a minus shaft? A different wheel may well tighten up without any play at all.

TC

With a spline?
Even the worst case shouldn't present this imo and it should have been allowed for.
And I'm sure it was.
The Rover engineers wouldn't have missed something so straightforward.
And as has been suggested, it's unknown beforehand.

Something's not right, imo, but tourer now has the offer of a known good wheel to try

[seancar]

It would be worth checking another wheel on it just to see.i would think rover changed either the manufacturers of steering wheel or column thats where the size difference has come from. They probably saved 0.5p on each steering wheel changing manufacturers lol

[Anon3]

Originally Posted by seancar

It would be worth checking another wheel on it just to see.i would think rover changed either the manufacturers of steering wheel or column thats where the size difference has come from. They probably saved 0.5p on each steering wheel changing manufacturers lol

That's fair comment.
Car companys will do anything to save a penny

But at the same time, the standards will always be at the top of the list.

I have 35 years history of working at car plants and associated suppliers factories and still do
The quality is quite outstanding, given the volumes, from what I've seen.

The "Friday afternoon" or "Monday morning" things just don't happen anymore.