Steering: loose steering wheel

[scotto]

hi, i have a 2004 XC90 and i have noticed the steering wheel has been loose over the past few days. I can now clearly wiggle the wheel about 10-15mm each way!
I am a mechanic myself so i think the problem is that the large nut that holds the wheel to the column has come loose.My only problem is i am not sure how to remove the airbag to get to the nut.I see there are two hole in the back of the steering wheel which must be where to unclip the airbag but does anyone know if its held on with screws or if its just a case of poking in a screw driver and popping the clips?
Thanks guys as i really need to get this fixed asap!

[jbell]

Hi
I know the above post is three years old and no one has replied! but I have the exact same problem as Scotto. does anyone know how to fix the above problem?

[jtaw45]

I had the same problem. I disconnected the negative lead (i think???) off the battery,then used a screwdriver to release the clips on the airbag module,these are accessed through two holes on the underside of the steering wheel,this was the trickiest thing as i it's difficult to know which way to prize the clips,once one side springs out the othersides easy.then lift the airbag to one side and you get access to the centre nut. I seem to think it was an odd size,maybe 14mm or 15 mm so amke sure you have plenty of sockets.Then when it's tightened just clip the bag back in and reconnect the battery lead. Leave it 10 mins to power everyhting up and then start the engine. Job done.

[jbell]

Thanks jtaw45 for quick reply will give it a go at the weekend

[jbell]

Having used this forum to find out information on how to replace my intercooler rad, and how to fix my loose steering wheel on my Volvo xc90. I thought I would give something back by posting how I fixed the loose steering wheel.
First I disconnected the battery and removed the upper cover on the steering column– nice and easy just clips off
Use the steering column adjustment lever to extend and lower the steering wheel to give you a little more space to work
There are two small holes located at the back of the steering wheel (need to turn wheel a quarter turn to access the holes)
Now place a smallish flat head screw driver into the hole.
What you are trying to do is release a spring loaded clip, the clip is a circular spring with part of the spring cutting through the diameter/centre of itself.
There are two bolts which are fixed to the back of the airbag/horn pad, and the two cone shaped bolts have a lug which slide inside the centre of the spring and the piece of the spring cutting through the centre latches into the corn shape blots, this is what you are trying release!
(of course you can’t see any of this, until you have removed the airbag/horn pad! )
Push screw driver in as far as pos. then push up on the screw driver handle which will lower the end of the screwdriver (like lifting a lever) hopefully this should compress the spring and release corn shape bolt. You need to be pulling on the airbag/horn pad module at the same time. Repeat with the other bolt. Lots of fiddling/ trial and error it should work!
The large nut holding the wheel in place was so loose that I could undo it with my fingers!
Worrying fault- I thought volvo’s were meant to be safe!!
I will up load some photos which I hope will help



http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attach...1&d=1282410049

http://www.volvoforums.org.uk/attach...1&d=1282410049

in the second photo you can see the end of the screwdriver sticking out( if you zoom in) and the centre part of the spring which needs depressing.

hope this helps anyone who has the same problem (a loose steering wheel)

[xcmarty]

just used this method to tighten up my loose steering wheel and i can say its spot on, managed the job in about 10 mins...

as you'd expect one clip was undone almost immediatly the other took a bit of fiddling but no probs it worked.

cheers

[Lickydog]

Originally Posted by jbell

Push screw driver in as far as pos. then push up on the screw driver handle which will lower the end of the screwdriver (like lifting a lever) hopefully this should compress the spring and release corn shape bolt. You need to be pulling on the airbag/horn pad module at the same time. Repeat with the other bolt. Lots of fiddling/ trial and error it should work!

hope this helps anyone who has the same problem (a loose steering wheel)

Thanks to this sage advice, I just did the same, took me a while to understand that the clip to lever is from the outside of the wheel to the centre, so the advice to lever up is correct as long as you are working with the wheel bang on 90 degrees. Felt amazing when it released! And yes, mine was loose... 2004 XC90 with 110K on the clock. One you see it it's really common sense.

[mdhomes]

There is play in my steering wheel turning the wheel in both directions approximately 1/4". I brought my 2004 XC90 to the dealer to have the steering wheel bolt tightened and they told me that it was not the that but I needed a new steering rack. I already replaced the steering rack 5 years ago. How is it possible that a $53,000.00 car needs a steering rack every 5 years? Maybe my problem is as simple as tightening the bolt on the wheel. Any thoughts?

[GJB]

Originally Posted by mdhomes

There is play in my steering wheel turning the wheel in both directions approximately 1/4". I brought my 2004 XC90 to the dealer to have the steering wheel bolt tightened and they told me that it was not the that but I needed a new steering rack. I already replaced the steering rack 5 years ago. How is it possible that a $53,000.00 car needs a steering rack every 5 years? Maybe my problem is as simple as tightening the bolt on the wheel. Any thoughts?

Would try that first.

Having used this forum to find out information on how to replace my intercooler rad, and how to fix my loose steering wheel on my Volvo xc90. I thought I would give something back by posting how I fixed the loose steering wheel.
First I disconnected the battery and removed the upper cover on the steering column– nice and easy just clips off
Use the steering column adjustment lever to extend and lower the steering wheel to give you a little more space to work
There are two small holes located at the back of the steering wheel (need to turn wheel a quarter turn to access the holes)
Now place a smallish flat head screw driver into the hole.
What you are trying to do is release a spring loaded clip, the clip is a circular spring with part of the spring cutting through the diameter/centre of itself.
There are two bolts which are fixed to the back of the airbag/horn pad, and the two cone shaped bolts have a lug which slide inside the centre of the spring and the piece of the spring cutting through the centre latches into the corn shape blots, this is what you are trying release!
(of course you can’t see any of this, until you have removed the airbag/horn pad! )
Push screw driver in as far as pos. then push up on the screw driver handle which will lower the end of the screwdriver (like lifting a lever) hopefully this should compress the spring and release corn shape bolt. You need to be pulling on the airbag/horn pad module at the same time. Repeat with the other bolt. Lots of fiddling/ trial and error it should work!
The large nut holding the wheel in place was so loose that I could undo it with my fingers!
Worrying fault- I thought volvo’s were meant to be safe!!
I will up load some photos which I hope will help

.

[joemc99]

I had the same issue. Before you buy a new rack, check both the nut on the steering wheel, and the bolts on the coupling. Remove the boot where the column goes through the bulkhead, tighten both bolts (awkward but doable).....