Loose steering column cowl

VolvoFan · Apr 13th, 2007, 18:04

I have a 1998 S40 2 litre auto and when I operate the indicator stalk, the steering column cowl moves round with it (in either direction). This also happens when operating the windscreen wiper control stalk.

The three screws which hold the upper & lower halves of the cowl are tight.
Any help on how I might cure this fault would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

chr.kj · Apr 13th, 2007, 21:12

I dont know if this can help you.

kilou · Apr 14th, 2007, 11:49

I also had this problem. In fact it only happened in hot weather because the rubber that hold the console in place on the steering column was probably getting too soft. It was really annoying and felt VERY cheap

So one day I decided to remove the bolts that hold the lower portion of the console until I could separate it slightly. Then I just made 2-3 points of glue to fix the console on the steering column. Put everything back and that was it, no more problem!

VolvoFan · Apr 14th, 2007, 21:24

Thanks for your tips, but the cowl (top & bottom halves) moves with the indicator and wiper stalks en masse already, so glueing the rubber grommets to the cowl won't make any difference.

I suspect that something must have worked loose inside the cowling; but since I'm a bit doubtful about removing the steering wheel with air-bag assembly (uncharted waters for me) I'm probably unlikely to see what can be tightened up inside the cowling.

Thanks for replying, anyway.

kilou · Apr 15th, 2007, 21:01

Volvofan, I did glue the cowl on the steering column because the whole thing was moving so it's the exact same problem you are experiencing, I'm just not good in english. The whole stuff behind the steering wheel was moving right or left when I was pressing the turn signal switch or activating the wipers. The cowl is made of a top and lower part. You need to remove 3 screws ifI remember correctly to separte the 2 parts and see the internal parts. There is a big white plastic inside that makes the cowl. Just put some glue points where it joints the steering column.

VolvoFan · Apr 16th, 2007, 20:58

Thanks, Kilou

It seems that this big white plastic thing is what needs tightening up, then.
I have investigated by removing the screws you mentioned, and partially separated the top & bottom halves of the cowling, but still can't see how the white thing is fixed to the column. (Needless to say, I didn't remove the steering wheel).

Does anyone have any pictures of this assembly?

Thanks again.

Apr 13th, 2007, 18:04	#1
VolvoFan Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:32 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alton	Loose steering column cowl I have a 1998 S40 2 litre auto and when I operate the indicator stalk, the steering column cowl moves round with it (in either direction). This also happens when operating the windscreen wiper control stalk. The three screws which hold the upper & lower halves of the cowl are tight. Any help on how I might cure this fault would be much appreciated. Cheers.

Apr 14th, 2007, 11:49	#3
kilou Senior Member Last Online: Jun 21st, 2022 13:33 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lausanne	I also had this problem. In fact it only happened in hot weather because the rubber that hold the console in place on the steering column was probably getting too soft. It was really annoying and felt VERY cheap So one day I decided to remove the bolts that hold the lower portion of the console until I could separate it slightly. Then I just made 2-3 points of glue to fix the console on the steering column. Put everything back and that was it, no more problem!

Apr 14th, 2007, 21:24	#4
VolvoFan Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:32 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alton	Thanks for your tips, but the cowl (top & bottom halves) moves with the indicator and wiper stalks en masse already, so glueing the rubber grommets to the cowl won't make any difference. I suspect that something must have worked loose inside the cowling; but since I'm a bit doubtful about removing the steering wheel with air-bag assembly (uncharted waters for me) I'm probably unlikely to see what can be tightened up inside the cowling. Thanks for replying, anyway.

Apr 15th, 2007, 21:01	#5
kilou Senior Member Last Online: Jun 21st, 2022 13:33 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Lausanne	Volvofan, I did glue the cowl on the steering column because the whole thing was moving so it's the exact same problem you are experiencing, I'm just not good in english. The whole stuff behind the steering wheel was moving right or left when I was pressing the turn signal switch or activating the wipers. The cowl is made of a top and lower part. You need to remove 3 screws ifI remember correctly to separte the 2 parts and see the internal parts. There is a big white plastic inside that makes the cowl. Just put some glue points where it joints the steering column.

Apr 16th, 2007, 20:58	#6
VolvoFan Master Member Last Online: Yesterday 21:32 Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Alton	Thanks, Kilou It seems that this big white plastic thing is what needs tightening up, then. I have investigated by removing the screws you mentioned, and partially separated the top & bottom halves of the cowling, but still can't see how the white thing is fixed to the column. (Needless to say, I didn't remove the steering wheel). Does anyone have any pictures of this assembly? Thanks again.

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