My Fiesta MK3.5 (power steering model) has excessive movement in the steering column even when the lock is on I can turn it side to side a certain amount and pull it towards me! Had the cowling off and checked both pins are tight and they are. Really stumped as to what it could be, I've never seen anything like it! There is a plastic bush by the look of it right where bulkhead is that looks like it may have popped out as it doesn't seem to be doing anything, just sitting on the shaft any ideas?? Here's a video of the movement

http://s938.photobucket.com/user/Joe...ba5ul.mp4.html

 

Not particularly easy to see with the camera moving all over the bloody place, but what it looks like to me is that the casting that holds the switchgear onto the column (and has the steering column bearing at the top) has come loose from the steering column tube, because you can turn it and pull it and it's all moving. They're only pushed on but it does need to be pushed on so it's tight. You might need to just take the steering wheel off and press it back into place, or replace it if it's damaged so it won't fit tight.
Unhook the battery and then wait for a bit before taking off the airbag though, although people have said to me it never happens, I always wait for about half an hour/an hour, because I don't want to chance blowing my head off.


Hope this helps. I don't think it's anything serious to be honest.

 

Tried that but no luck unfortunately, pulled the whole switchgear off but it seems to be the actual column moving, then with the steering lock on the whole assembly moves. Strangely however, if I pull on the column and let it sit in it's most forward position I don't get the sideways movement but if I push it in it comes back. Got another video here of the column with the wheel off, http://s938.photobucket.com/user/Joe...f.mp4.html?o=0

 

Right, next thing to look at, if it's the same as the Escort, there should be a plastic 'bush' that goes into the bottom of the column tube. And as I remember there should be a spring in there too to keep it tight, it looks like you've lost the tension so either the whole lot's fallen out the bottom or possibly the spring's broken, check that next. There's no tension on the column and there should be. I think the side to side movement might be a bit of a red herring.

 

Yeah, at the bottom of the tubing I can see a spring sat on a guide, it doesn't look broken but like you say may have lost tension. As I said, If I pull the column forward, the side to side movement disappears so maybe the spring isn't holding the column forward enough and that's what's causing it. Going to check it at work tomorrow on the ramp so I can inspect nothing is loose on the rack, don't really want to be spending god knows how much on a new column if it's a spring or bush

 

I don't think it's anything serious mate, see how you get on.

 

Hopefully mate, lads where I work can't pass it in it's state but will try and get it sorted