Steering Play in odd place

[Chirs]

Hi all,


Not sure if this is something that’s been covered previously.

Noticed excessive steering play on my 2018 T6. Checked the usual places for play, track rod ends, all seem fine. Moved into the cab and looked at the steering column coupling area. I noticed play in an odd place. I have attached a photo as its easier than trying to explain.

All of the couplings are tight, the joint in the actual straight bar has movement. I’d say it’s enough movement to give me a discontented feeling from steering feedback when deriving.



Has anyone experienced play here before?

 

[Jimmy-s3]

I’m trying to figure out where my knocking it coming from..
I thought it was the drop links or ball joints but I’ve located it to the same area on my 2016 T6..
When I move the wheels with the van I led up I can feel and hear the knocking/tapping noise

 

[Jack_H]

Hi

Really keen to know how you sorted this? I have the same issue on my 2018 van now.

From what I can see, it looks like the top section of the setting column comes in one section and this is the part that has the play.

 

[mike.H]

Hi Chris.
I've recently joined as I too have same problem as everyone else. 2018 T6. Steering wheel approx 15mm freeplay. No problem with wheels staying straigt on road. Free play a lot worse at 45 mph +. Although idling on my drive wheels move instantly upon touching the steering wheel.
Upon investigation with patient mechanic we thought we found slight movement between the inner and outer square shaft thats on the intermeadiate shaft.{As your photo}
After a lot of discussion finally had a second hand intermeadiate shaft and steering column swapped from a same year van. Still the same. BUT when I test drove the donor van I have no steering wheel issue. This can only mean there is movement else where. I been informed that if it was the steering shaft mechaism I would see oil leak and or the van would not self straighten (can anyone confirm this).
Drastically I removed the lower sterring column cover to expose the intermeadiate shaft. Used a G clamp and squeezed the outer shaft quite a bit (I know its a bit cowboy ish} This actally improved the problem to the point that I conviced myself I fixed it. Only to return a few weeks later.
I am someone who MUST find the cause as as the children say "Its doing my head in"

 

[Dundee_Kev]

If the play is on the steering column shaft as per @chris has posted, at your own risk you can pop a 5mm drill straight through the shaft just above his upper red mark and hammer in a 5mm roll pin. Your play will be gone at the risk of losing the ability for the column to extend in and out slightly to compensate for slight movements. Also will take away any chance of the column collapsing into itself if you were unfortunate to be in a severe accident