Steering Column Knocking (Not Rack)

[touring_style]

Hello,

I have a very irritating knocking noise that seemed to develop over night.

I've checked all suspension bushes and they seem fine.

However I believe I've traced it to the steering column itself - but not where I'd expect....

There's a large "double steering joint" (universal joint) behind a heat shield next to the engine. I'd expect that to be the failure point but I don't think its that.

Further up the column (towards the centre of the car) is a corrugated section of steering column. If I grasp that and move it back and forth and twist it there's definitely play - but I'm convinced the play is coming from further up the column (inside the cabin of the car).



Is there a section of steering column on the cabin side of the bulkhead that's known to fail?

If the steering wheel is wobbled / shaken slightly left and right in quick succession a noise can be heared that would tally with some play in the column - I'm pretty certain no noise should be heard if shaking the steering column. That coupled with the sensation of play when I grasp the column further down makes me think there's something not quite right.

Can anyone shed any light on this?

I think this is the section I need to replace - but it looks like it would be a pig of a job to do;

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/182685304383

The car is Right Hand Drive, I believe left hand drive models are different so a lot of information on the web isn't very helpful!

Any suggestions or thoughts gratefully received.

Could anyone check for me to see if play when manipulating the corrugated section of steering column is normal?

Thanks....

[henrym3]

May sound silly but are you sure the nut under the air bag holding steering wheel on is well tight

[touring_style]

Thanks for the suggestion but its not the steering wheel itself that's loose - its further down the column than that.

It easiest to feel the play from inside the engine bay when grasping the steering column shaft above the universal joint.

[henrym3]

Looking at the parts log there is 2 spindle bearings in the upper column, one of them having failed/worn could cause what you describe
They do look as though they can be replaced as they are sold separately.