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[Cookie Monster]

Hi all... seem to have developed a sort of clicking and sticking in the steering.. to be honest it sounds bit like a piece of plastic or something has broken off and is getting caught within the steering somewhere... i`ve taken the couling off but cant see anything so i guess the steering wheel is next... thing is i dont want a faceful of airbag by doing something wrong... so... any ideas or clues pls ?   

[davethediver]

Are sure it inside the steering column and not underneath the car have a look here first http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1152601938

 

[RobG]

And here http://www.omegaowners.com/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1257974494

[Cookie Monster]

I see where u are coming from gents but no its definitely i sound of something inside steering immediately beneath steering wheel.. i can almost count the number of bits of plastic or something making the noise   

[dbug]

Airbag squib?

[Cookie Monster]

Crikey i hope its not the squib !!... How can i get the steering wheel off  pls .... SAFELY !

[RichardH]

Definitely sounds like the squib.  I had a piece of plastic break off mine before.

It's easy in theory to remove the steering wheel, but if you don't have a puller all you can do is keep tugging at it until it pops off and hits you on the chin!

[Andy H]

Have you got a tilting steering wheel?

I had the plastic cowl off mine today and saw that the universal joint looks like a hard plastic ball with two grooves around it that the steering shafts engage with. If a foreign body found its way in there it might create similar noises.

Before disturbing the steering wheel (& squib) I would take the cowl off and have a look for loose bits

1. turn wheel 90deg left, remove plastic cap & screw.
2. turn wheel 90deg right, remove plastic cap & screw.
3. remove three screws from lower cowl and you should be able to separate the top & bottom cowls & reveal all the bits that might make a noise.

One final thought, do your indicators 'self cancel'. The indicator switch might have broken and be causing the noise.

[adi191927]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Laser-Vauxhall-Steering-Wheel-Puller_W0QQitemZ360197892594QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Hand_Tools_Equipment?hash=item53dd77a9f2

Puller on ebay. Steering wheel off in a jiffy, airbag squib change is simple.Haynes gives a good description. Make sure you get the correct squib.

[Cookie Monster]

i had the cowl off i did get a fraction of plastic come out but its still doing it .... the indicators still cancel so dont think its that... looks like it could be sqibby trouble i guess   :-/

[RichardH]

Don't worry, it's not a big job at all.  You probably wont need a new squib.  Just remove the remaining piece of plastic once you take the wheel off and that should be it.

[Cookie Monster]

Thank you oh knowledgeable ones... i will get out there tomorrow hopefully and have a proper look.... been laid up with man flu ... and not getting the sympathy a man deserves from er indoors 

[RichardH]

Don't forget to disconnect the battery first before you go messing with the airbag. 

[Dave Elite]

I had a problem like this, it turned out to be the trafficmaster box that had come loose and fallen down and made a rattle\clicking sound when I turned the steering wheel. Could be that?

[adi191927]

Don't forget to disconnect the battery first before you go messing with the airbag. 

Diconnect battery within 15 seconds of turning ignition off otherwise alarm will go off. With battery disconnected leave for at least one minute before attempting to remove the airbag.