Steering wheel column looseness in vertical axis

3234 Views 52 Replies 9 Participants Last post by kwinter, 3 d ago

Santirx

Discussion Starter · 7 mo ago

Hi everyone, not sure if anyone has experienced this… I did a search and could not find anything similar.

The other day, I grabbed the top of the steering wheel and felt it gave a little (moved down). After that, I noticed a little wiggle (maybe about 10mm up and down). The electrical adjustment system works well, but it just have this wiggle…

After inspecting the area, I found this piece of plastic on the all-weather mat directly below the steering column. Not sure if it is part of the issue…

Plant Gesture Finger Body jewelry Thumb

I took some video of the looseness/wiggle:

Steering Wheel:
https://flic.kr/p/2nTxxVx
Steering Shaft behind brake pedal:
https://flic.kr/p/2nTyt9h
Steering Shaft seen from below (underside):
https://flic.kr/p/2nTxywC
I think the issue may be with the motor/rod that adjust vertical position… that’s my suspicion without having removed the steering column trim. As nothing else seems to be abnormal.

I’m going to take to dealer. Hopefully there is some goodwill, as this is something that is not supposed to happen.

Fortunately it doesn’t hinder the operation of the steering wheel. It doesn’t move while driving, unless I deliberately move it.

Would like to listen to any ideas or if any of you had seen this before.

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iconoclast

· #2 · 7 mo ago

Steering wheel loose I can move it up & down ~ 1 inch + rattles from steering column when drive. I can adjust in & out & up & down & memory position & Entry & Drive works but, something is broken!

Even with car off, I can reach in & move wheel up & down.

I’m sure it was not like this b4 today.

Any ideas on what the fix is & the cost?

iconoclast

· #3 · 7 mo ago

Loose steering wheel bolt?

Mine moves as shown in this fb video.
Is this something I can tighten myself?

Special tools needed?

www.facebook.com

Loose steering wheel bolt. Porsche Macan | This customer was concerned about a loose steering wheel in their 2015 Macan. We have no service history on this vehicle but someone must have been in... | By P-Tech | Facebook

487 views, 12 likes, 0 loves, 8 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from P-Tech: This customer was concerned about a loose steering wheel in their 2015 Macan. We have no service history on this...

www.facebook.com

www.facebook.com

iconoclast

· #4 · 7 mo ago

I just read the comment from P-Teck:
"This customer was concerned about a loose steering wheel in their 2015 Macan. We have no service history on this vehicle but someone must have been in there. The bolt was LOOSE! This could have been a very serious issue. There is no way this happened on its own as there is thread lock on the bolt from the factory.
New bolt installed and torqued to specification. No further damage was found."

For my Macan, the only one who had “been in there” is Porsche service.

They were fixing the steering column squeak by replacing intermediate shaft a 2nd time 6/2019.
They replaced the clock spring 9/2018.
They replaced steering wheel column switch 10/2017.

iconoclast

· #5 · 7 mo ago

Looks somewhat complicated & I do not want to mess with the air bag!
I also do not have the hex tool or even know the size from this video.

I don't think a loose s.w. bolt is at all a common problem.

I wonder if Porsche Service had to loosen that bolt in order to replace the clock spring & failed to properly torque it or use thread lock?

Her95B

· #6 · 7 mo ago

Is just the steering wheel loose or the whole assembly with the steering column included?
The bolt on the steering wheel must be replaced every time that the steering is removed, I've seen only a few techs replacing it, most just re install the old bolt.
Was your steering removed at some point?
Anyways, stop driving your car ASAP, get it towed to the shop for inspection, if the wheel is loose and you keep driving it, besides the real danger of loosing steering you might damage your steering and even your steering column spline, resulting in thousands of dollars in parts against just replacing the bolt if it's the case.

iconoclast

· #7 · 7 mo ago

I just went out & tested & it is the whole assembly with the steering column included! Looking from the side & moving it up & down ~ 1 inch I can see the entire steering column assembly move. I see NO movement of the steering wheel separate from the column.

So does this mean that it is NOT a loose s.w. bolt?

IDK if Porsche removed the S.W. when they replaced the clock spring.

I don't think they removed it when they replaced the intermediate shaft 2x or when they replaced the steering wheel column switch.

Now that I look again at that fb video I linked, I see that s.w. is moving with respect to the stationary steering column assembly.

So, I am fairly certain my issue is not the s.w.bolt.

I’m sure the movement & the rattle are related. Both began Tuesday evening.

Do you have an idea what the issue is?
Do you think it is safe to drive it till I can get it fixed?

Maybe I can DIY fix it or take it to my Indy mechanic rather than having to take it to Porsche, out of warranty.

Thanks!

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iconoclast

· #8 · 7 mo ago

I hope it is not like this GM wobble repair!

Her95B

· #9 · 7 mo ago

iconoclast said:
I just went out & tested & it is the whole assembly with the steering column included! Looking from the side & moving it up & down ~ 1 inch I can see the entire steering column assembly move. I see NO movement of the steering wheel separate from the column.

So does this mean that it is NOT a loose s.w. bolt?

IDK if Porsche removed the S.W. when they replaced the clock spring.

I don't think they removed it when they replaced the intermediate shaft 2x or when they replaced the steering wheel column switch.

Now that I look again at that fb video I linked, I see that s.w. is moving with respect to the stationary steering column assembly.

So, I am fairly certain my issue is not the s.w.bolt.

I’m sure the movement & the rattle are related. Both began Tuesday evening.

Do you have an idea what the issue is?
Do you think it is safe to drive it till I can get it fixed?

Maybe I can DIY fix it or take it to my Indy mechanic rather than having to take it to Porsche, out of warranty.

Thanks!

If the whole assembly moves up and down there's no doubt that the steering column adjustment device failed or a bearing that support the shaft is gone.
They must pull the covers and inspect it.
In regards to your clock spring, yes, the steering wheel comes out in order to do so, but if everything moves up and down is more likely faulty adjustment, or simply a broken bearing inside the column, anyways if the car is still under warranty means replacing the column assembly.

Her95B

· #10 · 7 mo ago

On the early 911's there was a plastic bushing on the steering column that crumbled over the years leaving the steering completely loose, they upgraded that to a slip on metal bushing that fix that in a couple of minutes, I doubt that fixing the macan is that easy but there's always hope!

Reactions: 1

iconoclast

· #11 · 7 mo ago

Steering Column
95B-419-506-AN
Macan. With power tilt/memory. With memory pkg.
MSRP $2,474.31

No warranty.

+ Labor

This is unexpected.

Her95B

· #12 · 7 mo ago

Of course you need to get that diagnosed correctly, but in case that you need a new steering column here's one a bit cheaper..

www.ebay.com

2015-2021 Porsche Macan GTS Steering Column Assembly 95B419506AN | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2015-2021 Porsche Macan GTS Steering Column Assembly 95B419506AN at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I've spoke to two of my guys at Champion and they have no idea of this becoming a recurrent issue with first gen Macan, so maybe is something that can be fixed or replacing your for a used one wouldn't be too risky.

Gachnar

· #13 · 7 mo ago

iconoclast said:
I just went out & tested & it is the whole assembly with the steering column included! Looking from the side & moving it up & down ~ 1 inch I can see the entire steering column assembly move. I see NO movement of the steering wheel separate from the column.

So does this mean that it is NOT a loose s.w. bolt?

IDK if Porsche removed the S.W. when they replaced the clock spring.

I don't think they removed it when they replaced the intermediate shaft 2x or when they replaced the steering wheel column switch.

Now that I look again at that fb video I linked, I see that s.w. is moving with respect to the stationary steering column assembly.

So, I am fairly certain my issue is not the s.w.bolt.

I’m sure the movement & the rattle are related. Both began Tuesday evening.

Do you have an idea what the issue is?
Do you think it is safe to drive it till I can get it fixed?

Maybe I can DIY fix it or take it to my Indy mechanic rather than having to take it to Porsche, out of warranty.

Thanks!

The steering wheel definitely came out when the clock spring was removed, it's the only way to get to it. The bolt is also considered single use due to the thread lock. But as you have assessed if the column past the wheel is moving, it's not the wheel bolt.

While I'm very familiar with the wheel and clock spring steps, I haven't had to go past that, but if you get access to the maintenance manual (it's linked somewhere in the forum) WM 481519 is the Steering Column instructions. It does involve removal of a few pieces of trim to access the bolts, but I'd start with checking those. I'd be leary of driving it with a loose steering column.

Santirx

Discussion Starter · #14 · 7 mo ago

I just had this happen to me as well. I grabbed the steering wheel and felt something gave…. I added my issue here with some videos of how is moving: Steering wheel column looseness in vertical axis

I found this piece of broken plastic on floor of the car….

Plant Gesture Finger Body jewelry Thumb

I used my borescope to try to identify any issues, but to no avail. Other than the 10mm it moves up and down, it functions normally. The steering doesn’t move unless intentionally move it.

I’m going to the dealer this Monday to see what they say. I plan to ask for goodwill. If no goodwill and if too expensive, I guess this will become my Winter project… very likely this is a plastic spacer that broke.

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iconoclast

· #15 · 7 mo ago

Santirx said:
I just had this happen to me as well. I grabbed the steering wheel and felt something gave…. I added my issue here with some videos of how is moving: Steering wheel column looseness in vertical axis

I found this piece of broken plastic on floor of the car….

I used my borescope to try to identify any issues, but to no avail. Other than the 10mm it moves up and down, it functions normally. The steering doesn’t move unless intentionally move it.

I’m going to the dealer this Monday to see what they say. I plan to ask for goodwill. If no goodwill and if too expensive, I guess this will become my Winter project… very likely this is a plastic spacer that broke.

I just checked & my steering column moves exactly like yours!
I do not have the piece of broken plastic on the floor.

Porsche SA thinks I should have it towed in.

iconoclast

· #16 · 7 mo ago

I have the same issue (MY 2016 Turbo)
See my thread:

www.macanforum.com

Steering wheel column looseness in vertical axis

Hi everyone, not sure if anyone has experienced this… I did a search and could not find anything similar. The other day, I grabbed the top of the steering wheel and felt it gave a little (moved down). After that, I noticed a little wiggle (maybe about 10mm up and down). The electrical...

www.macanforum.com

www.macanforum.com

Happened 2 days ago & I just drove home & have not driven the Macan since.
Dealer says to have it towed in.

I am out of warranty.

Santirx

Discussion Starter · #17 · 7 mo ago

iconoclast said:
I have the same issue (MY 2016 Turbo)
See my thread:

Steering wheel column looseness in vertical axis

Hi everyone, not sure if anyone has experienced this… I did a search and could not find anything similar. The other day, I grabbed the top of the steering wheel and felt it gave a little (moved down). After that, I noticed a little wiggle (maybe about 10mm up and down). The electrical...

www.macanforum.com

Happened 2 days ago & I just drove home & have not driven the Macan since.
Dealer says to have it towed in.

I am out of warranty.

I’m driving mine…😬… although not every day. Feels OK other than the minor looseness when I intentionally move it.

Santirx

Discussion Starter · #18 · 7 mo ago

I’m taking it (driving) to dealer on Monday (Nov 7). I’ll let you know what they say.

iconoclast

· #19 · 7 mo ago

I emailed my SA to ask then about this & if it is safe to drive. I got a reply that the shop Forman has never heard of this & to be safe, I should have it towed in.

I asked if Monday worked & if I could also have Porsche do the Macan ‘Tank Leak Diagnostic Module Campaign.’ (I had received a letter Oct. 1st.)

Still awaiting a reply.

That campaign takes 2-3 hrs. Per the letter.

I have only 39K miles on my Macan. You have > 100K, I think.
Porsche did the following warranty work on mine in the past:

2017 Porsche replaced intermediate shaft per TSB SY1714.
2017 Porsche replaced the steering wheel column switch
2018 Porsche replaced the clock spring
2019 Porsche replaced the intermediate shaft a 2nd time
3 repairs were to fix the steering wheel squeak & finally it worked when they replaced the intermediate shaft the 2nd time.

Replacing the switch was to fix a problem where it moved my S.W. to the lowest position & would not move when I tried manual adjustment!

I hope PCNA pays, especially if it is an expensive repair, since I also do not think this s/b happening. I hope it does not require a new complete steering column assembly!

Does yours rattle when driving over bumps? That is what I 1st noticed Tuesday night.

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Santirx

Discussion Starter · #20 · 7 mo ago

iconoclast said:
I emailed my SA to ask then about this & if it is safe to drive. I got a reply that the shop Forman has never heard of this & to be safe, I should have it towed in.

I asked if Monday worked & if I could also have Porsche do the Macan ‘Tank Leak Diagnostic Module Campaign.’ (I had received a letter Oct. 1st.)

Still awaiting a reply.

That campaign takes 2-3 hrs. Per the letter.

I have only 39K miles on my Macan. You have > 100K, I think.
Porsche did the following warranty work on mine in the past:

2017 Porsche replaced intermediate shaft per TSB SY1714.
2017 Porsche replaced the steering wheel column switch
2018 Porsche replaced the clock spring
2019 Porsche replaced the intermediate shaft a 2nd time
3 repairs were to fix the steering wheel squeak & finally it worked when they replaced the intermediate shaft the 2nd time.

Replacing the switch was to fix a problem where it moved my S.W. to the lowest position & would not move when I tried manual adjustment!

I hope PCNA pays, especially if it is an expensive repair, since I also do not think this s/b happening. I hope it does not require a new complete steering column assembly!

Does yours rattle when driving over bumps? That is what I 1st noticed Tuesday night.

No, it doesn’t rattle. It is really normal, unless I move it up and down intentionally. I do have to apply some force to move it, so is not like loose…loose.

Im also taking mine for the Tank Leak Diagnostic module campaign on Monday…. And also for this.

I’m also bringing my 718 Cayman S on Monday because oil color was not normal the last time I changed it. So, going in with two cars, getting out with a loaner…

My Macan is out of warranty… my 718 is still under warranty. I’m also hoping for some goodwill with my Macan, because this is not supposed to happen. Is actually a safety issue like you stated.

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