Loose Steering Wheel

[J Krutsch]

Had a strange thing happen yesterday. I grabbed the steering wheel to help myself in and it went 'Clunk' and felt like it was going to come off in my hand. I got in and wiggled it around and it would flop side to side or up and down about 3/4 inch. It still worked, but was all floppy. Took it to the dealer. They pulled the air bag and said the bolt that holds the wheel on had come loose and backed out a ways. Said it probably wasn't properly torqued at the factory and just backed out over time. It must have a taper or something where it was seated so I didn't notice anything as the bolt backed out until it popped loose. New bolt and proper torquing and all is well. Of course, little pride in workmanship, as the mechanic didn't get the wheel back on perfectly straight (about 2 degrees to the rght), but I guess I can live with that

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[RedDakooter05]

$25 an hour and can't run down a bolt in the steering wheel properly.

 

[Langwilliams]

There was a recall on my 2016 fusion for this. I figured they used air tools preset to the correct torque spec for everything. Maybe it was pulled off early.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Had a strange thing happen yesterday. I grabbed the steering wheel to help myself in and it went 'Clunk' and felt like it was going to come off in my hand. I got in and wiggled it around and it would flop side to side or up and down about 3/4 inch. It still worked, but was all floppy. Took it to the dealer. They pulled the air bag and said the bolt that holds the wheel on had come loose and backed out a ways. Said it probably wasn't properly torqued at the factory and just backed out over time. It must have a taper or something where it was seated so I didn't notice anything as the bolt backed out until it popped loose. New bolt and proper torquing and all is well. Of course, little pride in workmanship, as the mechanic didn't get the wheel back on perfectly straight (about 2 degrees to the rght), but I guess I can live with that

HI Jon,

Most operations in the assembly plant today use electric torque sensing tools. Much more reliable and accurate. My opinion is that the nut was never hit with a gun and it was the mechanical contact of the splines until you pulled on the wheel enough times. Please open up a formal complaint with Ford Customer Care...this should never happen and the electric guns count operations and should have flagged a missed fastener. Something happened that should have NEVER happened.

There are three systems which which you do not screw up....steering, fuel and brakes....

Take it back to the dealer to have the wheel centered. You should not have to put up with a non centered steering wheel. I have no idea of the spline count on a current 5G Ranger but the old Rangers a spline slip was about 10°. If they cannot align the wheel, then they need to center the wheel and realign the vehicle in the alignment rack.

I encountered this condition on a few older generation Rangers, and the solution was always to center the wheel and realign.

Sorry you have had this experience...it should have never happened to have a loose steering wheel....NOT ACCEPTABLE under any circumstances. JMO.

Best,
Phil

 

[SICKQK]

My wife has often commented that my truck has the same problem........"A loose nut behind the wheel."

 

[DukeCanBuildit]

HI Jon,

Most operations in the assembly plant today use electric torque sensing tools. Much more reliable and accurate. My opinion is that the nut was never hit with a gun and it was the mechanical contact of the splines until you pulled on the wheel enough times. Please open up a formal complaint with Ford Customer Care...this should never happen and the electric guns count operations and should have flagged a missed fastener. Something happened that should have NEVER happened.

There are three systems which which you do not screw up....steering, fuel and brakes....

Take it back to the dealer to have the wheel centered. You should not have to put up with a non centered steering wheel. I have no idea of the spline count on a current 5G Ranger but the old Rangers a spline slip was about 10°. If they cannot align the wheel, then they need to center the wheel and realign the vehicle in the alignment rack.

I encountered this condition on a few older generation Rangers, and the solution was always to center the wheel and realign.

Sorry you have had this experience...it should have never happened to have a loose steering wheel....NOT ACCEPTABLE under any circumstances. JMO.

Best,
Phil

Hey Phil, what great insight into operations - I had no idea the assembly equipment was keeping count? Thanks for sharing.

 

[J Krutsch]

HI Jon,

Most operations in the assembly plant today use electric torque sensing tools. Much more reliable and accurate. My opinion is that the nut was never hit with a gun and it was the mechanical contact of the splines until you pulled on the wheel enough times. Please open up a formal complaint with Ford Customer Care...this should never happen and the electric guns count operations and should have flagged a missed fastener. Something happened that should have NEVER happened.

There are three systems which which you do not screw up....steering, fuel and brakes....

Take it back to the dealer to have the wheel centered. You should not have to put up with a non centered steering wheel. I have no idea of the spline count on a current 5G Ranger but the old Rangers a spline slip was about 10°. If they cannot align the wheel, then they need to center the wheel and realign the vehicle in the alignment rack.

I encountered this condition on a few older generation Rangers, and the solution was always to center the wheel and realign.

Sorry you have had this experience...it should have never happened to have a loose steering wheel....NOT ACCEPTABLE under any circumstances. JMO.

Best,
Phil

Thanks Phil, I will open a complaint.

 

[Eoj]

Sounds like you have the infamous proble
With the loose but at the wheel

 

[Joeiconic]

If you routinely use the steering wheel to pull yourself into the truck, those forces may be working the bolts loose over time. I would find another grab point.

 

[Grumpaw]

If you routinely use the steering wheel to pull yourself into the truck, those forces may be working the bolts loose over time. I would find another grab point.

I use my steering wheel to assist my old bod into the seat....
There is no other "grab point".....if there were I would use it rather than pulling on the steering wheel !

 

[puckdodger]

If you routinely use the steering wheel to pull yourself into the truck, those forces may be working the bolts loose over time. I would find another grab point.

If only there was a A pillar they could have used, like on the passenger side...

 

[puckdodger]

I agree with Phil, this is a "should never happen kinda defect", especially with all the errorproofing tech in an assembly plant these days. Ford needs to know they have a potential problem on their hands.

$25 an hour and can't run down a bolt in the steering wheel properly.

Here is a wage slave talking shit about other wage slaves? You ever have a problem with employer provided tooling, or make a mistake on the job? Why blame a guy who could be trying his best with possibly substandard parts or equipment. If you don't know all the facts, you don't know the cause of the problem.

 

[Grumpaw]

If only there was a A pillar they could have used, like on the passenger side...

There are already other threads on this, about using Aussie passenger side (left) that come with grab handles, but their different and don't fit. Also no mounting brackets on our pillars to mount properly.
Can't even mount aftermarket to upper area above door like on some imports, like Subie's due to airbags.
Steering wheel is our only "grab point".

 

[Joeiconic]

I use my steering wheel to assist my old bod into the seat....
There is no other "grab point".....if there were I would use it rather than pulling on the steering wheel !

I’m not exactly a spring chicken either, so I get it. ? But, I go in with my left foot on my step rail, left hand on the door handle, swing my right leg in, duck my head, and just sit down. I dont touch the steering wheel at all.

 

[Grumpaw]

I’m not exactly a spring chicken either, so I get it. ? But, I go in with my left foot on my step rail, left hand on the door handle, swing my right leg in, duck my head, and just sit down. I dont touch the steering wheel at all.

Lost my "spring in my chicken" long ago.....now, more like "rust in the rooster"...
I agree that your way and my way both work, just wish Ford had had a bit more insight into their design.
Maybe some day someone will come up with a simple solution.

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