steering column movement

[lifespeed]

When I go around corners fast enough to put some side load on the steering wheel I hear a slight clunk, as if something inside is shifting side to side. Not sure if this could be a worn bearing or the tilt mechanism.

Any body ever rebuild one of these columns? Are parts even available? What typically wears out?

[justbob]

I had this issue when it was about five years old. For me it turned out to be where the steering wheel fits over the shaft. I didn't catch it at first because the bolt was tight. I finally got it to give me the slight knock/click sound (more felt than heard really) while the air bag was off and I noticed slop in how the wheel mounted.

I ended up grabbing an impact socket that fit over and around the bolt and gave her a good couple whacks, almost too hard IMO on the last couple. Sure enough it seated ever so slightly more and I was able to get a hair turn out of the bolt. This immediately remedied that but I had to repeat a week or two later but never again in the last 7/8 years.

There is no way mine could be the only one. I was getting so frustrated feeling that. Mine was more of a pulling yourself out of the car issue I think, a good push or pull in the right spot, not everywhere.


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[fastblackmerc]

I haven't experienced this issue.

[CoreyM75]

I had the same issue with a 1998 Grand Marquis back in 2001. Drove me nuts. I fixed it by accident when I replaced the steering wheel with a woodgrain one.

[lifespeed]

I had this issue when it was about five years old. For me it turned out to be where the steering wheel fits over the shaft. I didn't catch it at first because the bolt was tight. I finally got it to give me the slight knock/click sound (more felt than heard really) while the air bag was off and I noticed slop in how the wheel mounted.

I ended up grabbing an impact socket that fit over and around the bolt and gave her a good couple whacks, almost too hard IMO on the last couple. Sure enough it seated ever so slightly more and I was able to get a hair turn out of the bolt. This immediately remedied that but I had to repeat a week or two later but never again in the last 7/8 years.

There is no way mine could be the only one. I was getting so frustrated feeling that. Mine was more of a pulling yourself out of the car issue I think, a good push or pull in the right spot, not everywhere.

Thanks so much for sharing. This is the kind of thing that would be near impossible to figure out without the body of knowledge that is mm.net. Yes, I really have to put lateral force on the steering wheel similar to what you mentioned, and I do feel it more than hear it.

So, just to be clear, did you actually use an air impact wrench or just the beefy socket and a breaker bar? Sounds scary either way. Guess I'll have to figure out how to take the airbag out.

[Shornaday]

I had a similar experience with my 2002 F150, it was a plastic bushing that was worn out on the shaft just forward of the steering wheel.

[lifespeed]

I had a similar experience with my 2002 F150, it was a plastic bushing that was worn out on the shaft just forward of the steering wheel.

This would be good to check as well, although I am unsure of the similarities between the columns.

[Shornaday]

There is a bearing and bearing retainer in the Steering Housing. See link below.

BEARING - 2004 Mercury Marauder
Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: F2DZ-3E700-A
Part: BEARING
Part Notes: 2003-06

http://www.tascaparts.com/auto-parts/2004/mercury/marauder/base-trim/4-6l-v8-gas-engine/steering-cat/housing-and-components-scat

Think the link I posted above was the wrong part of the steering column. Below is the link that shows the upper and lower bearings on the upper steering shaft.

Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: F4DZ-3517-C
Part: UPPER BEARING
Part Notes: 2003-06, LARGE

Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: F4DZ-3517-B
Part: LOWER BEARING
Part Notes: 2003-06

Then there is a bearing just above the yoke..

Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: F4DZ-3517-B
Part: BEARING
Part Notes: 2003-06

http://www.tascaparts.com/auto-parts/2004/mercury/marauder/base-trim/4-6l-v8-gas-engine/steering-cat/shaft-and-internal-components-scat

If you tore into the steering column there are thrust rings for both of the bearings.

However, I would sure try what justbob mentions.

[lifespeed]

There is a bearing and bearing retainer in the Steering Housing. See link below.

BEARING - 2004 Mercury Marauder
Manufacturer: Ford
Part Number: F2DZ-3E700-A
Part: BEARING
Part Notes: 2003-06

http://www.tascaparts.com/auto-parts/2004/mercury/marauder/base-trim/4-6l-v8-gas-engine/steering-cat/housing-and-components-scat

At $2.98 for [3] bearing it sounds more like a plastic bushing than a real bearing. So you may well be right. At that price it probably makes sense to buy it and have it available at the time the wheel is removed. Probably [4] and [5] also.

[lifespeed]

Now I'm going to have to recover the steering wheel too, can't remove it without fixing the deteriorated leather. Two week turnaround time - awkward. :(

[justbob]

Thanks so much for sharing. This is the kind of thing that would be near impossible to figure out without the body of knowledge that is mm.net. Yes, I really have to put lateral force on the steering wheel similar to what you mentioned, and I do feel it more than hear it.

So, just to be clear, did you actually use an air impact wrench or just the beefy socket and a breaker bar? Sounds scary either way. Guess I'll have to figure out how to take the airbag out.


Neither. I used the oversized socket as a drift to further seat the wheel. I tightened very carefully with a 12" long 3/8" drive ratchet. Any more could make a very bad day.

I have personally snapped the stem clean in half on an old car and that SUCKED. Know your limits. [emoji4]

Lucky the Marauder isn't a stem/nut. From what I recall its a spline that the wheel fits over, then a small bolt pulls it into the splines.

Ten minute tests are always nice. [emoji1303]


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