Date: Wed, 03 Mar 2004 22:26:33 +0000 From: Colin Stamp <colinnospamp.plus.com> Subject: Saab 9-3 Steering wheel play (crossposted).
Hi All, I have a 2000 9-3 which has just failed it's MOT :o( Some Wan**r has jacked it up under a footwell and split a seam. I've welded that back up so it shouldn't be a problem on the re-test. More worrying though, is that the tester says there is too much free play on the upper steering column - that is, if you grab the wheel and pull it up and down, there's too much movement. With a reasonable applied force, you get about half an inch of movement, but I reckon that's pretty normal. I've just bought another 9-3 and there is just as much play on that one. Can anyone with a 9-3 confirm this, or have I got two duff ones? Just in case, I've taken the dash apart and checked the upper column mounting bolts - they were tight. I've also tightened up the adjuster lever a bit, but it was fine before. It looks like the play is coming from flex in the metal that the column is bolted to. Trouble is, How do I convince the tester? Cheers, Colin