Updated August 1, 2025
Have you noticed that your steering wheel feels loose? Like it doesn’t feel as secure as it should?
You may not be imagining it. A steering wheel can become loose over time.
This symptom could stem from a few different areas.
Steering and suspension causes
The source of a loose steering wheel issue can depend on how the vehicle is designed.
Flexible steering coupler
Mid-2000s Hyundais and Kias have a coupling inside the steering shaft that was engineered poorly.
Drivers were feeling the steering wheel move an inch to either side. It would feel sketchy in the steering wheel and come with a nasty knocking noise.
They put an updated, more heavy duty part out for it called a “flexible steering coupler”.
So, if the steering wheel feels loose on a Hyundai or Kia, they have common problems with their flexible steering coupler.
Electric assist steering gear
Rack and pinion setups
On all makes and models that have a rack and pinion, if you feel any play in the steering wheel 9 times out of 10 it’s associated with the intermediate shaft that goes from the rack to the steering wheel.
Usually, problems with a tie rod or ball joint won’t result in a loose steering wheel because the weight of the car is on it and is loaded. What you will feel is the intermediate shaft because there is no load on it – it’s right there behind your steering wheel.
Also, if you have a loose tie rod end on the right side but the one on the left side is tight you’re not going to feel that in the steering wheel. You’re only going to see that in the actual wheel when you go to shake it back and forth.
Gearbox setups
For vehicles that have a gearbox with a linkage assembly attached to it, you can have play from the intermediate shaft but you can also have play within that gearbox.
Power steering rack and pinions have a gear box inside of them, but for older trucks and some Jeeps they were equipped with a larger gearbox that would run your steering linkage. You can feel slack in the steering system inside that gearbox.
Our process for when a steering wheel feels loose
When a customer mentions their steering wheel feels loose, our automotive technicians will start the diagnostic process at the wheel.
From there, they work their way down to the rack and pinion or the gearbox and isolate each individual piece.
During diagnostic testing, we would have someone in the vehicle and another person under it.
At our shop, the car can be set up on the alignment rack. That way, the weight of the vehicle is on the rack and the wheels are supporting the weight – just like when you’re driving.
The person in the car can recreate the play in the steering wheel while the other technician goes underneath and check marks every single part of the steering system.
If something doesn’t seem right with your steering system, it’s worth having someone inspect it further. Your car could be in need of maintenance or a repair.
Steve’s Auto Repair & Tire is an authorized Goodyear tire dealer located in Woodbridge, Virginia. Automotive repair services are performed on all makes and models, including BMW and Mercedes. Services include oil changes, brakes, alignments, inspections, and computer engine diagnostics.