Loose steering wheel column(?) controls unit(?)

Sorry guys, I don’t know what to call this, but does anyone know how I can tighten this thing so there’s not so much play in it? I’ve taken the clam shell off but can’t find out where I can adjust it from moving so much when I use the turn signals. Etc. thanks

 

i think that's just how it is.

don't be so violent in your turn signal usage?

 

yours is loose like that?

 

is it under warranty still?

 

Yes here's what I did. Take the airbag then the wheel off and then another part to access the turn signal housing. This clips on with plastic arms. You need to remove this part and then wrapped the column with a few rounds of electrical tape. Test fit for tightness. Then reinstall and done. Nice and tight.


Don't go full hog on the screws anywhere in the assembly since they screw into plastic

 

Just in case the OP does not have the same problem you had; I would recommend not removing the air bag and steering wheel first. The shroud can be removed without doing so. There are two screws that can be reached on the rear of the housing by turning the steering wheel to reveal them. Then the two halves of the clam shell shroud separate by plastic clips within revealing the combination switch.

Not saying he will not have to remove the airbag and wheel, just that it may not be necessary. The other part you reference I believe is the clock spring. It has been a while since I've had mine apart.

Airbags and electrical is intimidating to many. Clock spring requires some attention to detail as well.

 

Thanks guys.

are you suggesting this is normal and common for our trucks? I don’t remember this being loose and it’s gotten like this over some time? Noticed it more after my wife drove it a few times, probably coincidence…

I’ve taken the shroud off before, but I can’t find anything to tighten the unit around the steering wheel column/shaft(?).

 

Since you're going to remove the steering wheel, replace it with one of these bad boys

 

You can't fix it without removing the plastic piece that straddles the column. Inorder to remove that you need to first remove the airbag and steering wheel. I believe you think the plastic column 2 piece cover is the loose item but your wrong. It's the assembly that holds the wiper and light stalks that's loose.

 

Just start diving into it and what I said will make sense.

 

You can usually take column covers off without removing the steering. Turn the wheel left and right to access the Philips screws, carefully pry the halves apart.

With the covers off you need to look down around the combo switches for the hold-down screws. They may be loose.

Get the covers off, get your hands and eyes down there and you'll find the problem

Don't be afraid of it. Its just plastic and screws.

The airbag isnt going to just go off, you'd have to start stripping insulation off wires and rubbing shit together to get that to happen

 

The signal and light stalks (combo switches) have their own little screws that hold them to the column. Read my middle paragraph

 

I don't recall the screws. It's a plastic piece that clicks into place.

 

You may be right, but all these columns have some type of plate that all those switches hang off of. That plate is loose.. or something is loose

Im in agreement with you that he needs to just get in there, wiggle stuff around, look closely and he'll find out what's going on. There's not a ton going on in there. Take it apart and put it back together a couple times and you'll learn how shit goes together

 

The plastic piece that has the turn signal stalk and wiper stalk attached Slides on the metal part of the column . It has 2-3 plastic finger that click into recesses in the metal column. The tolerance between these fingers and the recesses cause the movement. You wrap the metal column with electrical tape and press fit the plastic piece on the column ensuring the fingers click into place. this eliminates the movement that OP is complaining about.

This is about creating a tighter tolerance.

 

I believe you, im just going off a general knowledge of what ive seen from taking all different brands of cars apart. Lots of them have little tiny screws that go right into the column, some slide together and secure with bendy tabs. All these manufacturers are a little different.. but they're still all kinda the same.

I just meant if he gets in there he'll be able to see what's going on. Don't be afraid to take things apart because its not like there's a ton going on. Just the steering wheel, airbag and clockspring at the front.. and then column covers and switches farther down..