steering wheel

1989 FORD TEMPO
110,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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MSTYHAWK
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  • 1 POST
my steering wheel on my 1989 ford tempo is loose, you can feel the steering column move under the dash when you move the steering wheel. Is it safe to drive and is it expensive to fix
Jan 2, 2011 at 7:45 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
do you have tilt wheel on yours?
Jan 2, 2011 at 9:05 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 9,990 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
usually loose steering wheel is caused by the tilt wheel being loose. remove plastic covers behind steering wheel and you will see 2 bolts that are loose when you wiggle wheel. they go right and left horizontally. tighten those up and your good to go.

otherwise your main column clamp bolts may be loose. you have to remove panel under column and then metal reinforcement plate to get to those. there are 4 of them. 2 closer to steering wheel and 2 closer to firewall. they go up vertically. they are actually studs with nuts to tighten.
Jan 2, 2011 at 9:21 PM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 9,990 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
if you are unable to try these fixes then i would say get it checked out as soon as possible because your specific situation is impossible to diagnose %100 accurately. i just gave the 2 most common and fairly easily repairable solutions.
Jan 2, 2011 at 9:28 PM
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