Steering Wheel won't turn unless column tilted up

[M37owner]

Has anyone else had this problem?

This morning I started car and noticed something in the steering column dragging (like the plastic trim between the wheel and column rubbing). I discovered that if the steering column is tilted up it does not rub, but if the column is tilted down or centered, the steering wheel won't turn at all.

Yesterday everything was fine. My steering wheel auto tilts up when I shut the car off. I've turned this off for now so the wheel won't try to center itself for Driver1 settings. I drove to work today with the column tilted up. No issues/noises driving like that.

Also is there any factory warranty left on 2011 (built 6/10) with 60,500 mikes? This seems like it could be an expensive fix.

[mazz]

my recollection of the factory warranty is 4 yr 60,000 miles
depending on date in service for the 4 year part
its likely a dealer could estimate this fix, before you decide its expensive check with somebody you trust .
good luck

[haninja]

Sounds like the same problem I had, as well as others - steering-column-shroud-popping-up-t610716.html

[M37owner]

I read your post and searched the forum for similar posts. It might be the same problem, but so far none of the plastic trim looks out of place and no parts (green cap) have fallen out. I guess I need to remove the panel under the steering column and try to see what is going on.

How does that "lower panel" (the panel under the steering column with the truck release switch) come off?

[M37owner]

my recollection of the factory warranty is 4 yr 60,000 miles
depending on date in service for the 4 year part
its likely a dealer could estimate this fix, before you decide its expensive check with somebody you trust .
good luck

So my M is over 5 years old now - no warranty left. It's been good to me so far. No complaints.

I'm a retired (diesel) mechanic and pretty good with most mechanical stuff, although these Asian cars are way out of my area of expertise.
Anyways, I need to investigate first. I don't have a shop I trust or anyone I use (I generally I do everything myself) - but if this may be beyond my skill level, if so I'll take it to the dealer.

So step one - how does the lower dash panel come off (screws on bottom and hidden clips up top)?

[TLoc]

I read your post and searched the forum for similar posts. It might be the same problem, but so far none of the plastic trim looks out of place and no parts (green cap) have fallen out. I guess I need to remove the panel under the steering column and try to see what is going on.

How does that "lower panel" (the panel under the steering column with the truck release switch) come off?

Check out this thread.

steering-wheel-rubbing-plastic-housing-t609452.html

There's some pictures of how to remove the covers from the steering column toward the bottom. Your problem sounds just like mine. The green cap didn't fall out till I took it apart the second time. Once you have the covers off the column you will see the metal bracket behind the lower dash it is catching on. You can either bend the bracket or trim the lower steering column cover.

[M37owner]

I wanted to update this thread. I removed the lower trim panel under the steering column. I was pretty easy - just need to remove the two bolts that hold the hood release lever and remove the end panel on the dash. Then the entire lower panel can be pulled off using just hands.

The problem with tilting the wheel down is because there is a tab on the bottom of the steering column cover that has popped out of position. I have not investigated any to see "why it popped out". I'll report back on that once I have time to remove the sterring column cover and get a better look (while operating the tilt and extend motors.

[M37owner]

Last update. I watched the column mechanism move through all its positions and did not see any problems with the mechanical parts (no wear, slop in parts, etc.).
So it looks like the soft plastic parts changed a little. Probably due to heat and age.

To prevent the interference problem from ever happening again, I trimmed off the two tabs at the bottom of the column cover piece. Even with this modification there was still a very close fit (possible contact) with the steering wheel tilted full up and then only if you were to move the column in and out. So I removed the metal brace and increased the "flare" some to provide more clearance. I'm confident this will solve the problem even if the plastic trim piece warps a little more over time.