I took my new XJ8 in for inspection today and it failed on the steering column. Too much play from side to side if you hold the wheel you can see movement in the cover before the dash. I have looked thru threads but cannot find a breakdown diagram of the parts involved. Technician who failed it said some thing about removing airbag assembly? Does anyone have a view of this assembly or has come across this before. It also failed on right lower ball joint. Is this a press in joint or a complete lower? any help would be great. I am 2 hours from the Dealer and the garage that did the inspection do not want to do the work!

 

I have looked further into the loose steering wheel and I dont think its just the wheel as there is movement behind it also. I have put my hand up to a support that is stationary behind the wheel and there is no movement there that i can feel. I have the directions to remove the airbag and will do that in the AM and just check the nut nut after that I am at a loss. Any help would be great

 

Well I have had some time to play with the Jaguar today as there is 2 feet of snow outside! There are 2 screws on the underside of the column that looked loose but this is appears to be the adjustment for the tilt mechanism. If I tighten them then the motor will not tilt any more. The good news is that most of the play side to side is gone if I do that. There are also two threaded holes on the left and right sides of the column directly above this. Should there be some thing in them? Is there a bushing/ guide kit that you can get or are there instructions out there to adjust this correctly so that you have movement but no slop? I am having the ball joint replaced next week if I can dig my way out and then its re-inspection time.
Please help if you have any info.