Steering Column Repair: Steering column movement, shish kabob, universal joints

Question
I have a 1999 Honda accord, 4cyl, automatic trans, 2 dr coupe.

If sit in the drivers seat and pull "out" hard or push in on the steering wheel, the steering column will move towards or away from me by about 1/16 to 1/8 inch. After the column is pulled out, if I push in hard, the column will push back in with a loud "pop".

I checked the bolt holding the steering wheel on and that is tight. I checked the coupling and both universal joints at the steering gear end of the steering column and they all appear tight and in good shape.

What is moving in and out is the steering column itself as I pull or push hard on the steering wheel.

Is this movement normal? If not do I need to replace the whole steering column or can I tighten something up or replace something in the column itself?

The car has 100,000 mi and is in superb shape. I want to keep it for a long time. I also want to make sure everything on it is in good working order.

Is 1/16-1/8 inch in and out movement of steering column normal? If not how can I fix it?

I do most of my own repair work and rate myself as an excellent mechanic.

Thanks,

Joe

Answer
Hi Joe:
The column should be secure, however if you force it hard enough you will be able to move the shafts in and out of the bearing seats inside the column tube.  I'm not sure that's what's happening or not.  alternately you could be moving the column completely in and out of the column mounting where it attaches to the dash and inner frame of the dash.  these breakaway mounts are designed to move and break free in case of a front end collision (preventing the human shish-kabob).  If that's what you are moving, then I would say simply make sure the mounting nuts are secure and don't do that anymore (or you'll cause yourself to collapse the column unnecessarily.

I hope this helps, but that's about all I can think of for the little amount of movement you are talking about.

Good luck
Doug