As long as I have had the brick (2 months) the whole steering column shifts to the left a good inch fairly often. I am not clear on what position is required to make it do it, but it is related to whether is turned certain ways or not. When it is able to be shifted, it shifts side to side quite easily.

Not urgent, just curious mostly.

 

what volvo do you have?

Depending on what you have there is a Bearing, retainer, and a snap ring at both ends of the column that can get sloppy. And the way the steering column is held to the car may have came loose.

 

1989 Volvo 245DL 7 seater.

Sorry about that.

 

So I examined more closely. It seems the bracket closest the engine just before the dust boot starts under the dash is fine. When I checked the play on it it seemed to only play from that bracket up towards the steering wheel. I could find nothing securing it to the dash besides that bracket.