Hi!

I recently was driving and made a turn when all of a sudden my steering started to make a grinding noise and the wheel became hard to turn. I looked in the crack between the wheel and the column and saw a small part that was lose. It didn't look like the part was able to fit through the crack, and the steering wheel started to turn freely again so I didn't think much of it. When I got to my destination I looked on the ground under the steering wheel and found this small clip looking part that is in the pictures.

I brought my 1997 Ford F150 into a mechanic shop and they took apart the steering wheel assembly and said that they couldn't find where the part went. Obviously there is a place for the part to go, but unfortunately they didn't know where that was.

Does anyone know what this part is called, what it does, where it goes, or if it is a critical part that should be put back in before I continue to drive? The mechanic said it wasn't an important part and that I'd be fine to continue driving without it, but I wanted to check with others first to see if anyone else knew more about this!

Also, I'm not sure if that bend is supposed to be in the one side of the clip, that's just how it was when I found the part. I think it likely wasn't like that but it bent into that position when I first heard the original grinding noise, and then since it bent, it was able to free itself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks!
Doug

 

Looks like a old processor heat sink hold down clip...Desktop computer.

 

I've had my column apart before, and it doesn't look familiar to me.

 

Could this be the retaining clip inside the clockspring that keeps the tape straight and inline? It looks like one of the arms is really bent, otherwise it seems to make a circle.

 

I'm not sure. I don't even know if that arm is supposed to be bent. It likely got bent when I was turning the wheel and I heard a grinding noise. It must have gotten loose, then I bent it when I turned, and then it was able to free itself and fall out. That being said, if it is the part that you think it is, is it a part that would be dangerous to be driving with if it isn't put back?

 

I doubt it would be dangerous to drive, but the electric parts may be of some problem later if the tape should tangle or such. Don't hold me to the clockspring part. I just can't think of another part inside the column of the Gen 10's that would use that piece.

Like White said, he's had his column apart in the past few months, and he didn't see that part. This is why I considered the CS because it is round, has a piece that keeps the tape bands straight inside of it.

It is all a guess to us. This is the only place I can see that part being.

 

Mine was not like that. It was a piece of plastic you just pull out straight on. Mine was an OEM replacement though.... maybe different vendors use a different method?

Only pic I have that shows the retainer.... it's the yellow thing hanging out the bottom.

 

White....I'm talking about inside the c/s, where the bands run. There has to be a piece to keep things inline inside, so that is the only conclusion I can come up with.

That c/s you are showing fits 98.

 

Fits 97 too... LOL. That's what it's in.

BTW, for S&G's, I took the old one apart to see what I could see. I don't recall seeing this metal deal in there. I can take another peek though. It really wasn't that big of a deal to get it back together.... Everyone makes it sound like the earth will come off axis if you take it apart... lol.

 

I know what you are saying. I took one apart once on the bench at Ford, and the Service Writer was all upset. I told him to do his job, and leave the tech's alone.

98 is the last year of that CS as usable. That is what I should of said, not it fit 98 only. Only a two year CS for our trucks and one year of Navigator.

You know I am going to the 99 Lincoln CS, and have it ready for the ends. Are you still going to the yard soon? I can almost find the lil Red truck with all the warm weather we've been having. lol