Re: 5k Steering Grinding <<?>>

[Jeremy R King <kingjer@eng.auburn.edu>]

I haven't messed with any of my switches.  But me and one of our other 
buddies on the list have had a grinding sound in the steering column.  I 
took my wheel off and sprayed the column with WD-40.  A few months later 
(about a week ago) the noise came back.  I learned from a coupla friends 
that WD-40 is an awesome cleaner and gets rid of water, but isn't 
intended as a lubricant.  In fact, it says nothing about lubrication on 
the can.  So this time I used a spray lubricant instead - just go to Wal 
Mart and read labels 'til you find one that says lubricant.  It's cheap 
enough to be worth a try.

I also have about a half inch of steering wheel travel in and out of the 
column.  Is this normal?  There's absolutely no play turn in wise.  And 
the nut is very tight.  Am I maybe missing the spring that Charlie is 
talking about?  Mine pulls right in and out.

Jeremy R. King
1986 VW Quantum GL5
Audi at Heart

On Mon, 4 Dec 1995, Charlie Smith wrote:

> Help - please!
> 
> There follows a story of 'how to foul something up in one easy lesson' ...
> 
> 
> I just replaced the steering column switch assembly on my '86 5kCSTQ.
> Before I took things apart, the old switch assembly was loose on the
> column, the clamp wasn't tightened on the column.  I proceeded to
> remove the steering wheel, replaced the switch assy, and re-installed
> the steering wheel.  Easy.  This time, I tightened the clamp assy
> so the new switch assy is tight on the column.
> 
> Now, I've got a heavy grinding sound and feel when turning the wheel,
> like the wheel is interfering wiht something - except it isn't.
> The steering shaft seems to be spring loaded ... I can push the
> wheel away from me and it will move perhaps 1/2" toward the dash.
> When it's pushed forward like this, the grinding noise goes away.
> I don't know if the wheel had this 1/2" spring load effect before 
> or not, I never noticed it before.
> 
> I've had the steering wheel off and on a couple of times, and the grinding
> noise/feel is apparently coming from something on the steering shaft
> down in the dashboard.
> 
> Any ideas or suggestions?  I'm going to dive into the Bently manual,
> and start taking things apart if I can't figure anything else.
> I'm actually a bit afraid that something will catch and interfere with
> the steering while I'm driving ...
> 
>     - Charlie
> 
> 
> 
> Charlie Smith   charlie@elektro.cmhnet.org  614-471-1418  
> Columbus, Ohio USA
> 
> 
>  4 wheeled fleet:			 2 wheeled fleet:
> _________________________               _________________________
> 86 5kCSTQ      				92 Ducati 851SP     851cc
> 69 Porsche 911S   3,200cc		95 BMW R100-RT    1,000cc
> 81 VW Diesel Pickup  			62 BMW R27          250cc
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -- 
> 
>  Charlie Smith   charlie@elektro.cmhnet.org  614-471-1418  
>          elektro.uucp   Three lines at 614-471-9416  
>                   Columbus Ohio   USA
>  
>