How To Replace a Failed Steering Column Bushing
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.พ. 2025
- Loose Steering wheel? Steering wheel shaking while driving or braking? May be due to this bushing failing in the steering column. This busing came apart on the Tail of the Dragon. It may also have been causing a slight vibration in the steering wheel of my R32. Today we go step by step on replacing the steering column bushing, removing a VW steering wheel, removing steering column trim, and removing the steering column itself.
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3 years later and this just happened to my '02 Jetta. Your how-to videos are a godsend. Peace!
Im more of a BMW guy.. but i love these video’s, i guess i’m never to old to learn something new! Glad to have you around!
Thank you so much. 🙏
On my Mercedes ML63, something similar happened. But not that severe. Mine made a weird clunking with some, almost not noticeable, sway in the steering. Didn’t deteriorate like yours but did go prematurely. Great video. It’s a very hard thing to diagnose since the first thing you’ll think is wrong is tie rods, inner rods, and rack.
Dostum bu video için çok teşekkür ederim.Senin sayesinde kendi burcumu kendim değiştirdim.👍👍👍
Thanks bunch! This video helped me a lot in deciding I can't DIY this. Going to my nearest mechanic.
Thanks for the post. Great lighting, camera work, narration. Very helpful.
Thanks so much
Thanks for posting this! I was replacing the heater core in my wife's '03 Jetta Wagon and this crumbled to pieces when I took the bolt out. About $40 shipped was the cheapest I could find the bushing online. I found a Brazilian website selling aluminum replacement bushings, but I assume VW used plastic here either for safety (it's supposed to break) or for damping to take some vibration out of the steering wheel.
Yes I think so too! I went back with OE. It's not a race car LOL
OMG, I now see that the "beard" wasn't just a phase. Bless your heart.
I’ll offer you a spirited “bless your heart” right back.
Crickey! What a faff! But a faff expertly carried out as usual, great stuff Charles!
Love the dash screen so much! 😎
Thank you so much HumbleMechanic. I´ve done it exacly as per your awsome video. I changed the whole Steering Column.
Perfectly matched. Bought a used one for 15 Bugs. VW Price is 500!!. I am happy. THX
Why did you have to change your steering column? Mine has a lot of play in the lower joint and I’m not sure if I have to change the whole thing or can do just the joints :(
I love you, you made a very useful video, I have the same problem on my golf 4 TDI, your video will be very useful to me. Thanks again, greetings from Sicily (Italy)
Great video Charles! Reminds me of a similar thing that happened with my mk1 Jetta coupe (broken plastic pieces on floor, rattling loose wheel), although it wasn't as intense or complicated as you demonstrated on the MkIV.
The Mk1 derivatives (caddy, cabriolet, rabbit, jetta, golf, scirocco) use a plastic collared bearing bushing to retain the needle bearing cage that supports the column. Many times that collar breaks, which allows the needle bearing cage to wander off the bushing, creating slop on the steering shaft. That's what caused the loose wheel in my case.
I found a slick aftermarket half-moon clamp that wraps around the column to contain the needle bearing cage. Using this fix I didn't need to pull the column and replace the bushing. Wheel was nice and tight again.
So if you've got a shaky rattling steering wheel on your MK1 VW search google for this item:
photobucket.com/gallery/user/fredybender/media/bWVkaWFJZDo5MzgwMDEyMQ==/?ref=
Best $40 I spent on the VW - been 10 years since installation and it's still working great!
Cheers from Canada!
Hell yes!!! Nice find
Great detail Sir, thank you also for your style, no bullshit music in the back ground !..........the best tutorial
Thank you! The r32 isn’t super fast but it’s sure fun to drive
@@HumbleMechanic Yes the v6,s are very quick........I have a mitsi 2.5 v6 , it can go ! but it depends how fast, thankyou again
Thank god your safe Charles! Great video as always!
I love your videos. I'l be watching this video to start my heater core replacement in my 2001 Jetta TDI.
For that, you can just drop the column, but you have to take all the switches off. Removing it may just be easier
Another clear and concise video top Veedub man👍👍
Great stuff Charles, don't you just love working under the dash, Happy Easter:):)
Hahah yeah not the most fun, but not too bad. 😎
Again one good video. You must put Mk4 in the title to be find easier.
Great video !!....very informative!!!.....great camera angles !!!!
Thank you.
Can't imagine how much time it took back in the day for one of these cars to go through the production line.
Good job mate. Haven't heard of this particular fault previously, but always useful to know.
Chalkster
This is the first time I have seen one like this. But it has me wondering if others have failed, and I didn't catch it
@@HumbleMechanic Good effort mate. Have you suffered from any heater radiator issues on your 32? Several reports of unfortunate cabin leaks here in the UK.
I was actually going to ask you if you'd had any experience with vw adblue issues. It may be a totally different setup in the States with your own strick emissions controls
Great video, looks very complicated tough.
When I worked at LKQ we used to blow off airbags in a steel cage. The cage itself would jump a few feet in the air especially since we would blow both stages of the airbag at once.
It’s especially fun when your the one prepping airbags for shipping. You get an idea of how much damage one can do if not packaged correctly. Also being in a room full of airbags.
With that title and intro, thought the next scene was going to be an off road excursion and flying debris. ;)
That would be fun. I want to get her on the dirt. :)
I KNEW you lived in WNC! Asheville native here
Love AVL. I’m further east in NC
Haha, don't you love when it takes you 30s to swap the part but like 30mins to get to it?
Every dang time LOL
The way it works.. replacing is always easy... Well not always but hope you get my point... :-)
СПАСИБО БОЛЬШОЕ. 👍 Good job!!
Damn dude, you looking good in that HD!
Oh, and the car too! :P
Hahaha thanks 😎
Damn it's so crazy to see the OBD Port on the left side and not in the middle console 😋
I wish it was in the center! It would make monitoring injection timing with VCDS a whole lot less obnoxious.Anyone know why the US has it on the driver side?
@@ThisIsReMarkable I think it is a OBDII mandate that is has to be a certain distance from the steering wheel. Wikipedia says two feet is the requirement. I'm not sure why the center console wouldn't qualify.
I think because of law reasons.
Damn that happened on my 1995 VR6 Jetta but they were motor mounts and the damned engine almost fell out on the Interstate. The Motor Mounts were Turn2 Stave IV Motor Mounts. I'm not sure if they were a bad batch but I went with Black Forest after that. However Turn2 did know how to make a damned good CAI.
DAMN!
Nice video
Good tutorial. Thank you Charles!
i thought that was my issues. But nope when i turn to the right the steering wheel clicks like the haft is stripped you have any recommendations
Thanks for your video I have a Jetta Mk4 with the same problem, can you please tell me where I can buy the bushing please if you have the link will we be helpful, bless you bro
I got a question??? what would cause my steering to be fine when turning left but as soon as i try turn right its like the steering wheel isn't connected and just clicks and turns but actual wheels on car dont turn right. Could it be a defective reman. rack. Thanks in advance
Mine has smaller play, only in vertical, i checked the bushing is ok.. any advice? Is a mk4 gti 02
So did you disco the battery? Just curious as the clock and odometer we're still on. Not that I care but...🤔🤔🤔
I was thinking the same thing. :)
It's not really necessary. As long as you don't switch on the ignition with the airbag disconnected, you won't get an airbag fault or any other fault.
I almost never do. It’s recommended in the repair manual anytime you do airbag work.
Thanks great video and that looks like a lot of work
We have pretty much about same mileage on our vr6’s. Do you think timing chains will be an upcoming maintenance concern? Mine is a 24v
Funny you ask. I was just looking at the MVB of my timing yesterday. It's not like a "You should do this yesterday" thing, but it's coming. When I have about a week free I Will be doing mine. And a new clutch too
HumbleMechanic oof that made my wallet hurt. Haha. How bad of a job would it be if I decided to do it on my own?
Not bad. Worst part is pulling the transmission
HumbleMechanic will you be posting a video on how to do it?
When I do it I sure will. It’s while I’ll need a week to get it done 😂
Question... Did you feel a knock on your clutch and brake pedal while turning the wheel, when this bushing failed?
Hi Charles, my lower joint that connects to the steering rack is super loose but I’m not sure how to replace it. Do I have to take out the whole assembly like you did and get a new clock spring, ignition switch etc? Or do I swap the switches over to a different column? And is it possible to replace just the joints portion of the column itself without touching the upper portion? I’m really quite confused :(
Nice saund brosky 😅
i cant tell if its my brakes or steering column
but im getting a plucking noise? like guitar string pluck
Is there aftermarket panel replacement options if for example plastic trim pieces fall apart?
No. I am going to just get new ones. :(
If you are talking about the rubber coming off you can just rub it down with denatured alcohol and get the sticky rubber off, then yoy just have normal plastic trim
I have a question unrelated but i'm going to ask it anyway. So in addition to my 2 modern cars I have an MGB that sat for about 10 years. The water pump started leaking and when I tore it down there was a bunch of mineral calcification in parts of the cooling system. I've thought about putting vinegar in the cooling system to clean up calcification before flushing it. Thoughts?
Hi again, sorry for completely OT, my daughters 2012 Polo 1.2 has recently started to show the engine management, ESP, and tyre pressure warning lights all on at the same time. Any ideas where to start? I know this is taking the piss a bit, but I’m getting desperate... cheers
Thanks bro nice job
How much time it Takeshi for the job? 1, 2 hours?
Is that the dragons tail in Tn?
Great Video 🤙 !
I have a noise coming from my steering wheel mostly when turning at low speeds. It sounds similar to tires squeaking on fresh pavement. I can't tell if it is a bearing in the steering column causing the steering wheel to rub or if it is the motor (electric steering). Anyhow, not sure if I want to go to have it diagnosed or just let it go.
Check the strut tower bushings/bearings
I have the same problem.. I so don't want to open this Pandora box.. I know that something will go wrong here. 😂
Great man beard 😆 I'm working on mine. Maybe next video, tips on how to grow a great charles beard 👍
Haha I’ll see what I can do
Hi Charles. I have an EU 99 Passat. I have some dead play in my turning-wheel with a mild knocking noise. Is this disassembly applies to my Passat by any chance?
I’m not really sure if the Passat has this. It’s a totally different suspension setup. These suspensions on the Passat need help often.
@@HumbleMechanic Thanks.
i got an issue where i cant adjust my steering column. anyone got any ideas? thanks
Where I get this part sir
Ahh. at 0:04 The R 32 says arrrrr! Beautiful.
Nice video!
Thank you HumbleMechanic. Been in this way to R&R the dash for other work, next time around I'll check my bushing to ensure it's not toast.
Watching this, the airbag removal clips always were annoying to remove (*coff*ahem* watch Charles' other video on this if you're stuck on that step!).
Why didn't VW use the same T30 Torx bolt mounted each side, that Audi uses in the same generations?
Those airbag clips are stupid. I totally agree a damn t30, 5mm Allen would be 1000x better
Hi Charles, love your videos! Keep rocking them. Got a question. I have an mk4 GTI 1.8t with 244 thousand miles and this car has been faithful like craxy but recently, I've been noticing some slop play on my steering when the car is off. I checked underneath where the intermediate shaft connects to the rack and there is no play. I can wiggle the u-joint and can move the steering wheel from there also. I checked for leaks and nothing. Only thing I noticed was my left inner tie rod had some play. I changed it today and still nothing. Going to get an alignment tomorrow but do you think that slop is in the rack? I also messed with the nut behind the the rack to see but nothing has changed. Would appreciate your thoughts. Thank you!
Love the BRRRRRRRAPPP....🚘🚘🚘🚘🚘
me too. LOL
Would this cause a wheel shake similar to a wheel balance issue?
Possibly the steering wheel. I don’t think it really impacted mine
Great video as always!! Thank you!!
Why are all mkIV dash support bars all rusty?
There is always moisture in the car, plus it's not treated with anything
Sounds like, if you're doing something super involved like... R&R'ing the heater core, and it's an all-dash-out project, time to wire wheel the rust and hit it with a light layer of galvanizing primer? :)
Looks like the Dragon took a bite to eat. I'm glad it wasn't an issue that could have caused a loss of control. I have never seen this happen. Is this a common part across all VW's?
I know!! When that bushing hit my foot I tweaked. LOL I have never seen this fail on any VWs
Charles, could a mechanic have caused the crack on my windshield by using a screw driver to pop off the wiper cowl when he changed my linkage?
How do you effectively remove the wiring harness with clips? Not zipties
Usually a small screwdriver will help unclip the Tab holding the clip on.
What if I have just a tiny bit of play in the steering wheel??
Brilliant 👌
thank you
Hmm. My mk4s just started to sound like a wooden ship when I turn the wheel. can’t hear it outside of the car. Wonder if it’s somethin goin on in the steering column
Possible
Would a bad or worn bushing cause a vibration feeling in the steering wheel while driving / cruising or on acceleration?
very possible. I had a slight "bite" on mine since I got it. After replacement it's better. I think if I put the All seasons on it would be totally gone
Common occurrence on the Mk2 platform, we get the fancy Delrin replacement
It's the midlle screen on your Dash an aftermarket?🤔
It is Custom R32 Instrument Cluster (Faded Screen FIXED) th-cam.com/video/gOG9OQvDFNQ/w-d-xo.html
When u do a video on clock spring of airbag replacement
Love from pakistan❤️
AWESOME!
Make sure to test the airbag by kicking the car right over one of the airbag sensors.
Ahhhhhhhhh the smell of crayons brings back memories.
I believe it, I rage out on my steering wheel all day
Where i get this bushing
I got it from the dealer
Replacing plastic with plastic always feels bad, especially when you know there aren't any alternative metal parts available.
Yea I feel that. But it did last 15 years and 150k miles so I am not too worried LOL
Why did you remove the whole steering column? You could remove just bottom part with bushing. Only two screws, lot easier.
Whats up man😊
SWEEEET! Cheerz
I did mine couple of years now and did not remove the steering column.. but I did also tortured my hands doing it 🤣🤣🤣
Lol yeah I’m sure doing it in the car is not super fun.
Did you remove like the clutch or the brake pedals? Or without removing anything ? It’s been 2 years now I know😁😁
@@HumbleMechanic thanks for the value you provide…love your videos
If you drive a Hyundai/Kia you'll be needing one of these soon.
Really? That's a common issue on those cars?
Uhhhh. My car has this exact problem and it seems that although the plastic part is so cheap, the job is overly complicated and i will pay many labour hours, which feels like not worth doing. From the other hand this weird movement in the steering wheel drives me crazy... I'll see what i can do...
Or this part measurement please
And wish I had a vw r32..............they are quick
Honestly this looks very annoying to replace....
Is it possible to do this by just pulling the metal shield? lol (obviously not with the sheer bolt)
It kinda sucked lol
damn no company out there makes a steering column bushing made out of Billet aluminum so you never have to change it
I’m in Kerala. India
I can't imagine what that would cost at a dealer.
I would hate to see what that would cost at a stealership!
Good question. I’ll have to see what labor time is. I’m guessing ~3 hours or so.
I looked at the time, I figured it at 2.5 hours. So you can use your local dealers labor rate to figure it out. Most places you'd be looking $300-$350 or so
Is it just me or does it seem this has been apart before?
5 or 6 times for teh video. HAHA
plastic parts breaks all the time please use screws .
I hope the gentleman, who is an excellent auto maintainer takes no offense. But he kind of looks like legendary Moonshiner Popcorn Sutton.
American tradition of muscle car, hot rod, drag racing, NASCAR, NHRA all trace back to shine makers and shine runners during Prohibition.
i always cringe a little when airbags are plugged back in. you can set off detonators, and coincidentally AIRBADS with esd!
Cost of bushing $30, dealer charge $300.
Dealer price for the part is about $40. Labor is more of course
Hey Blake! Why you’ve changed the channel name from blake’s garage to humble mechanic? What happened with your E30 your M4 and the Audi? Now you own a VW R34? i’m kind of lost here... 🤷♂️
Plastic parts seem to be a 1 time use......lol
I refer to that as “no longer serviceable” haha
Plastikschrott! Oh, wrote this in an other Video as well.
This is def not a easy job with someone that doesn't have a clue.