The 85GSL, my DD, has been making some odd squeaking noises when I turn the steering wheel, and today it's also making some little crackling or tinkling noises, like loose ball bearings, when I turn the wheel. It's also developed a lot of slop, not rotationally, but side-to-side. And it's different, depending on wheel position. Seems like a wornout ball bearing at the steering wheel end of things.

So today I'll start disassembling things in hopes that the problem is simple. I also hope that the 83s I've spotted at the local JYs have the same or similar fittings and they're relatively easy to disassemble.

Anything I should watch out for? Special instructions? Tools? Parts vendors? Etc.?

 

The column doesn't have anything at the steering wheel end that should cause this problem, I suspect the multiswitch which does have ball bearings in it, note I am guessing here based upon your suspicions that the noise is at the steering wheel end.

 

I think its your column. The crickily crack is familar to me. Fixed by putting in a new junked column.

 

there is a bushing up at the top of the column, i'm not sure what it was made of from the factory, but we think it was something dumb, like felt or creme brulee, something you'd never make a bushing from.

anyways the new one is plastic, 8871-49-101 for non p/s mazda list is $12.95
PS one is B001-32-071 (parts catalog has a typo) $13.60...

 

How much of the column? The 85GSL has an extra stalk for cruise control, and the old 83 has a different style for all the plastic stuff. Is it just the shaft or is it some of the switching stuff?

 

The 85GSL has PS, so I'll check madatrix for the part.

 

Haven't gotten it apart yet (too busy cleaning up the 85SE, new drivers seat, door panels, remote door locks: almost showroom condition now) but maybe the problem is that the wheel is actually an aftermarket Grant wheel I had to put in so my left knee would clear. We'll find out tomorrow.

 

the wheel might just be loose....

 

It's the aftermarket wheel. Damn bolts loosen up - no lockwashers. Bolts came completely off. Relatively easy fix.

Thanks guys.