Steering Column Repair: 2005 Ford Focus stereeing wheel is loose and rocking, salvage yards, steering wheel

Question
The steering wheel is loose and moves up and down, feels like the bolts are broken or loose. The car has 75000 miles and is out of warranty, we had a problem with the ignition lock that the dealer had to replace it (6 months ago). Any recommendations or just take it to the dealer ?
Thank you.
Joe

Answer
Hi Joe:

There is an upper bearing that tends to cause this problem.  The shaft can slip out of place during a repair and then the bearing becomes unseated and causes this problem.  If the work done previously had any relevance it would have happened much much sooner than 6 months later (like the next week).
I think you are going to end up replacing the column with a good used one.  You will need to transfer over the lock and theft transponder form your car though in order for another column to work.

For used parts...Try this site.  You may be able to find what you need.

www.car-part.com
It's the website all the salvage yards use when they say "Hang on--let me see if my other yard has it".  Actually it's an online database of all the salvage yards in America.  You can search by part, location or price

This will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay for a column (plus labor)

Good luck
Doug