Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering column of
my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and both
legs to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the tale?
.... or is there a better place to ask?

Dave

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering
column of
my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and
both
legs to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the
tale?
... or is there a better place to ask?


Try news:uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Although, I would first suggest getting a quote from a non main
dealer, sometimes this sort of job is a real b*stard - and what is
more, if the car has an steering wheel air-bag you are stuffed as
messing with those is NOT really a DIY task.

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

In article ,
Dave wrote:
There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering column of
my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and both
legs to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the tale?
... or is there a better place to ask?

Possibly uk.rec.cars.maintenance or do a Google on a specialist group
for your model.

--
*Real women don't have hot flashes, they have power surges.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

:::Jerry:::: wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...

There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering

column of

my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and

both

legs to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the

tale?

... or is there a better place to ask?



Try news:uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Although, I would first suggest getting a quote from a non main
dealer, sometimes this sort of job is a real b*stard - and what is
more, if the car has an steering wheel air-bag you are stuffed as
messing with those is NOT really a DIY task.


Thanks Jerry, I'll ask there too.
I've never understood the problem with working on airbags, they came-in
after I stopped fixing my cars (ah, memories: Herald, Spitfire, Stag,
Minor, Anglia, Corsair, Capri and Austin 1800 - those were the days
:-)can anyone explain the problem? In my naivety I assume you just
disconnect the electrics and that they will then be safe.

Dave

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering column of
my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and both legs
to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the tale?
... or is there a better place to ask?

I had to remove the steering column and replace it on my '93 Espace to find
a stray "squeak". Mine doesn't have an airbag but the basic job wasn't that
hard.

I suggest you explore this idea- although this is offered at your risk:

Leave the steering wheel intact but remove the covers around the column
assembly. On mine, the column is fixed to a cross member by 4 bolts and the
u/j you refer to is visible and accessible just above the pedals. The
column is splined into the u/j and has a bolt that nips up the joint. Undo
this, remove the 4 bolts that secure the column to the cross member, and
pull the column away from the joint- in only needs to move an inch or so.
Remove u/j, replace, and reverse process.

Have a good looksee first but that would be the way I'd try the job.

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

"Dave" wrote in message
...
:::Jerry:::: wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...

There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering

column of

my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and

both

legs to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell
the

tale?

... or is there a better place to ask?



Try news:uk.rec.cars.maintenance

Although, I would first suggest getting a quote from a non main
dealer, sometimes this sort of job is a real b*stard - and what
is
more, if the car has an steering wheel air-bag you are stuffed as
messing with those is NOT really a DIY task.


Thanks Jerry, I'll ask there too.
I've never understood the problem with working on airbags, they
came-in
after I stopped fixing my cars (ah, memories: Herald, Spitfire,
Stag,
Minor, Anglia, Corsair, Capri and Austin 1800 - those were the days
:-)can anyone explain the problem? In my naivety I assume you just
disconnect the electrics and that they will then be safe.


Just disconnecting the electrics might just set it off! Although
mostly harmless, as is a firework is, given the wrong set of
circumstances both can become potentially lethal devices - and we
haven't even started to talk about the mobile guillotine that some
self tensioning seatbelts can become....

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

:::Jerry:::: wrote:


Just disconnecting the electrics might just set it off! Although
mostly harmless, as is a firework is, given the wrong set of
circumstances both can become potentially lethal devices - and we
haven't even started to talk about the mobile guillotine that some
self tensioning seatbelts can become....

Having read your thoughts about batteries exploding and Dave Plowman's
recommendation of your experience...

Does the above still apply after the battery is disconnected?

You have now worried me about the guillotine effect of the self
tightening seat belts. Please explain.

I ask the two questions, as I used to work on fast military jets that
had ejection seats. I was never happy about them and they also had many
bits of explosive devices accompanying.

Dave

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

In article ,
Dave wrote:
I've never understood the problem with working on airbags, they came-in
after I stopped fixing my cars (ah, memories: Herald, Spitfire, Stag,
Minor, Anglia, Corsair, Capri and Austin 1800 - those were the days
:-)can anyone explain the problem? In my naivety I assume you just
disconnect the electrics and that they will then be safe.

Basically, yes. But some apparently need the power to be disconnected for
some time before unplugging them.

--
*It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Removing/replacing steering column in Renault Espace
 

Brian Reay wrote:
"Dave" wrote in message
...

There's a bit of play in the u/j at the bottom of the steering column of
my '99 Espace, the local Renault dealer is quoting both arms and both legs
to fix it - has anyone here attempted it and lived to tell the tale?
... or is there a better place to ask?


I had to remove the steering column and replace it on my '93 Espace to find
a stray "squeak". Mine doesn't have an airbag but the basic job wasn't that
hard.

I suggest you explore this idea- although this is offered at your risk:

Leave the steering wheel intact but remove the covers around the column
assembly. On mine, the column is fixed to a cross member by 4 bolts and the
u/j you refer to is visible and accessible just above the pedals. The
column is splined into the u/j and has a bolt that nips up the joint. Undo
this, remove the 4 bolts that secure the column to the cross member, and
pull the column away from the joint- in only needs to move an inch or so.
Remove u/j, replace, and reverse process.

Have a good looksee first but that would be the way I'd try the job.


Thanks for the idea Brian. I've been told that the column is only
available as an assembly but I need to get the trim off and have a look;
there are 4 screws securing one piece but nothing visible on the others.

Dave