Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Hey All...

I recently came back from Xmas shopping and noticed that my steering wheel has a slight wobble to it...about 3/8" up and down and side to side. What would have caused this. When turning the wheel there is no noise as if anything is wrong. It feels a little iffy though.Has anyone else encountered this?? Should I stop driving it??I only ask because it turns perfectly an is 100% responsive. As many ppl reading this might think it is the tilt or adjustable steering. It seems towobble between the collar After the adjusterand beforewheel. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, as I REALLY need the car for the next week solid.

Kind regards,

Kev75

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

The steering wheel bolt itself could be loose. Have you had any work done on it recently?I have seen this happen on one vehicle before.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Thanks! I had an alignment done, but that was back in September. This seemed to happen within a day. Is it safe to drive? And if so for how long, as Volvo has a wait list due to holiday hours.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

It is hard to say but if the bolt is loose it is not safe to drive. I would have it looked at. Did anyone work on the airbag or steering column lately. An alignment would most likely not have caused this.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

No...the car has not been in for any kind of service like that. Just oil changes etc, but that was a month ago. There must be some kind of safety device that stops the wheel from coming off if the bolt comes loose??? Will look at it tmrw. Do you know how to remove this wheel?Are there any links that would guide me in this procedure??

Thanks!

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Out of balance tires?

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Not tires. Handles 100%. It IS just the steering wheel. Just don't know what could have broken or come loose inside. Aside from the wobble in the steering wheel the car drives perfect.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

I know you mentioned this at first, could it be that the adjustable steering wheel lever is not tightening up enough?
I loosened mine a bit and I gotthe same results. If so, this could be the problem.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

If the steering wheek wobbles when you drive it is most likely a tire issue.
If you cant move it while you are sitting still a tire is what usually causes this.
The car will still handle fine.
A broken belt in the tire ora out of balance tire will make the steering wheel wobble.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Tried and seems to be where the wheel connects to the adjustable neck...actuall I have only had the car a short time...do these cars have a telescopic Wheel? I would check, but threre seems to be a storm going through the area right now.

Thanks

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Yes they do have telescoping. Give it a good tug to see if you can pull it out. If you can and hear a ratchating sound, the adjustable wheel lock is not tightening enough.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Sometimes where the lower shaft goes into the top half under the dash there it a plastic bushing that holds everything stable. Sometimes it will slide out. You will need to push it back in.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Thanks to all that replied...had time over the holidays to disassemble the steering wheel. The main nut had come loose. WTF!! isn't this a safety issue???...a bolt that is needed to steer the car comes loose for no reason!?!? Anyway, Iput a washer on it and just a dab of silicone for good measure & tightened it up.

Cheers All - And Happy New Year!!

-Kev75

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Aha just as I suspected its pretty rare and definately a safety issue. Should install some loctite and torque to spec.

RE: Didn't need this worry around the holidays....
 

Yeah, I thought of using loctite, but if this bolt/wheel needs maintenance down the line, I didn't want to impede fixing time, as the stealership has already paid a few employee salaries on my behalf in the past ;)

Happy New Year!

-Kev75

I recently ran into the same issue with my 95, goin to take the bag off tommorow and take a look at that bolt. If i understand correctly, its located right behind the airbag?