Okay, In all packed for vaction and In backing in my parking spot and the steering wheel makes a plastic like snapping sound and now it feels kind of loose. It still turns but seems to catch in some spots. The wheel adjustment part seems to work fine it seems like it is above that, I pulled the cover off of the wheel and the trim from around it but I dont see anything out of the ordinary. Does any one have any suggestions? Eirik

 

Yeah drive it around the parking lot and see if it is drive able if so go on vacation and worry about it when you get home. I will go out and look at my truck to see if I can see any thing

 

First of all have you noticed the wheel being loose before today? Hole the wheel with one hand on the three o’clock position the other on the nine o’clock. Can you feel play in the wheel when you push and pull in a rocking motion? Try the same in the twelve and six position. If you cant’ feel any play the noise could be many things from a piece of plastic trim rubbing to the direction signal inside the column.

Justin

 

look up under where your knees usually are, you should see a U joint and right before that there should be a small metal wheel whith a bunch of holes. When i wiggle that u joint I do not have any play on my truck, check yours out at the same joint and see you can isolate where any movement is coming from. The other thing to check is there are plastic parts that catch for the Multi function switch (turn signal) it is possible one of those hung up and popped or broke.

 

It still turns but on big turns seems to catch, especially on left hand turns. If I remove the nut on the center of the wheel, will the wheel come off? It Does have some play in it if I wiggle it.

 

I drove it around the block and it did fine until I got in to a circle then it dropped left and down about 1/4 in and got hard to turn.

 

I dont think it will come off easy without a puller

 

check the u joint and there is a plastic bushing right before it see if you can see what is loose.

 

Aireek, I had the same thing happen to me. I took it in to my mech. and it was the steering shaft and steering shaft bushings. not real cheap. But my mech told me that it would not cause really any steering probs. I would not run it to long, because it would catch just a very little bit.

 

The wheel needs a puller to come off after you remove the center nut. If Utahcrew is correct then I would go on Vacation. Keep in mind that it does catch every now and then so be careful. I would imadine you won't get much wear while traveling since the wheel doesn't turn much on the road. I wouldn't let it ruin my vacation but always keep it in the back of my mind. Also don't put excess wear on it while parking, take it easy and don't turn it all the way. Hey you might find a good junkyard in Oregon while you are there.

 

Okay guys, in the name of keeping you informed. First off, thanks to all for the great, immediate responses. Your all a good group of guys. So back to the problem. utahcrew hit the nail on the head. I got the wheel off and found the bushings and bearings to be bad. Parts from ford were less then 25 dollars and I think Im on my way. I got to tell you, Im really not much of a mechanic, just cheap. Thanks again for all your help. I hope this is the last of the trip drama. Eirik

 

Good luck and be careful. Godspeed my friend.