hi.

the steering column on my 1996 Felicia has started a twanging noise when I turn it.i had a good look and it seems the noise is from the end of a large spring inside the upper column which is scrapeing on the top of the universal joint.i don't know if a collar or some sort of washer is missing.perhaps the end of the spring should have some sort of hook or attachment.can I get a replacement part or should I replace the whole column.any help or advice out there would be greatly appreciated...Golom

I've marked the parts of interest in that area. It's either something worn out or a loose fastener. One other thing that could fail and make a scrapping noise is the steering locking mechanism. You will have to identify yourself the faulty part and I'll give you the code to order it. Did you or smb else mess with the steering lately?

 

Edited 24 September, 20169 yr by RicardoM

hi RicardoM.thanks for your reply.the schematic was just what I needed.the steering hasn't been worked on or anything,it just started this twanging noise.Now I can see whats inside I shall undo the column,find the offending part,and hopefully buy a

replacement.last night I touched the spring,32,and the noise lessened.whats that spring 32, called,and should I be able to

turn it around.The code for 32 would be very handy.

yours sincerely golom.

The spring has not a special name and part no. is 6U0419343. But I would leave it alone because it is a red herring. The spring is very solid and doesn't worn out. It is another part that rubs then the vibration is transmitted to the spring. Try to feel or hear where is the origin of the noise. A stethoscope might help. I reiterate my suspicions. A loose fastener, a worn bush, the steering locking mechanism or the bracket between the levers for direction lights and wipers. Does your car have an airbag?

 

By loosen fasteners I am referring in particular to this one below. You can adjust the pressure on the spring by sliding the steering column tube.

 

Here is another helping photo. I wish other people share as many repair photos as I do...

 

Hello RicardoM.

Thank you for the second set of photographs.The one showing the adjustment for the spring tension was particularly pertinent.

When I checked the lower bracket mounting bolts they seemed tight, but when I undid them they both sheared off.Fortunately I had replacements,and

after replacing them and putting a bit of extra pressure on the spring,i removed the twang.I Checked all the columns nuts,they all needed torqueing

up a little.Whilst the steering is a lot lighter and almost silent,i shall be buying the parts-circlip-bush-etc,and replace them when I get a clear weekend.Once again thanks for your help.Once I got the schematic and photos the job became possible.

yours sincerely golom.

Well done. If you clearly identified the source of the noise, buy the parts. But in the absence of evidence I wouldn't buy anything based only on hopes of improvement.

 

Aside bush 19, see below the areas of interest known to generate noise/vibration.

 

Many thanks for the extra photo.Thats a good idea, not to speculate and buy parts.I shall have to wait till I have a couple of free days together,

take the column off again,and look at those points of interest you mentioned.

If you have the names of parts 33-18-19,on the schematic,that would be very helpful.

Golom.

The most efficient thing you could do is to take out the steering column by removing the bolt 30 then the rest of the fasteners and electrical connectors. Having it out of the car will allow you to pinpoint the exact cause of the noise and to see the faulty part inside the column. While doing that you could take detail photos for the rest of the members of the forum that might have a similar problem.

 

Names and codes

 

hi.

I have already had the steering column off  and out completely,with all wires and fasteners disconnected.As I have said,the steering is lighter with barely any noise.I am using the car and when I get a couple of free days together I shall definitely photograph whatever is worn or needs replacing.Then I shall work out how to share those photos with everyone else.Once again ,thank you.

golom

You can send the photos by mail to me if you will and I will post them for you.

good idea.I will bear that in mind,but I think someone I know is going to show me how to put photos on here when I have them.