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-Ford Fiesta Zetec JA8  08-13

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Misc:
-This guide fixes the issue where the steering column shaft makes a clunking noise when the car is stationary & you turn the wheel left or right

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-Start by setting your steering wheel to the 2 O'clock position
-Remove the keys and then wiggle the steering wheel left and right until the steering column locks into place (DO NOT PUT THE KEYS BACK IN UNTIL THIS JOB IS COMPLETED OR ELSE YOU CAN POTENTIALLY DAMAGE THE CLOCK SPRING OR POTENTIALLY SET OFF YOUR AIRBAG)

-Remove the 12mm bolt on the bottom of the steering shaft (Use an extension bar)
-Remove the T12mm bolt from the top of the steering shaft (Inverted torx socket)

-Lift the shaft up from the bottom to unmount it from the rack & then pull the shaft from the top until it comes fully off

(You could optionally replace the shaft at this point although. I would try to re-grease it first. If you do not fully remove the shaft to clean and grease it REALLY well then this issue will likely come back after a few months)

-Spray brake cleaner into the U joints and clean them with a rag
-Work fresh high quality red rubber grease into the U joints
-Fully extend the shaft and thoroughly clean it with a rag
-Spray brake cleaner into the shaft splines and keep working the shaft in and out over and over again whilst periodically wiping it with a rag (Clean it to excess)
-Put a high quality red rubber grease into the splines and work the shaft back and forth. Keep applying grease and work it back and forth 50-100 times. You want to get as much grease in there as possible, or else the clunking noise may come back after a few months.

-Position the top shaft back into position up on the steering column. There is a flat non-splined part of the shaft that you need to line up.
-Pull the bottom half of the steering shaft down and position the bottom of the shaft back into position on the rack. This also only goes on 1 way, although this should already be oriented the correct way.

-Make sure that both ends of the shafts are fully seated in position
-Apply red Loctite to both of the bolts
 
-Fasten the E12mm bolt back into the top of the shaft and torque it to 32Nm (Ideally use new bolts)
-Fasten the 12mm bolt back into the bottom of the shaft and torque it to 34Nm (Ideally use new bolts)

-Stand outside of the car and start the car. Whilst remaining outside of the car fully turn the steering wheel all of the way to the right and then turn it all of the way to the left. (This is just for safety in case you somehow messed with the steering wheel position sensor - UNLIKELY IF YOU FOLLOWED THIS STEP BY STEP)
-Now sit in the car and move your steering wheel from the left to right position. The clunking noise should now be gone.

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Useful sources:

Ford Fiesta Mk7 Faulty Steering Column (common fault)!

A knocking or clunking noise when turning on a 2011 Ford Fiesta

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3 hours ago, CursedBones said:

-This guide fixes the issue

Would it not be better to post all of theses guides that you write in the "Fiesta Guides" forum ?

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/forum/77-ford-fiesta-guides/

2 hours ago, unofix said:

Would it not be better to post all of theses guides that you write in the "Fiesta Guides" forum ?

https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/forum/77-ford-fiesta-guides/

100% But it does not let you post on it. I don't really understand why.

The only other forum that sound relevant is the "Fiesta guides to move"  

I don't really understand that forum though because it's not the one  that opens up when you click "post all new guides here"
Also the guides in there are never moved. Moved to where? And Why?

I'm maybe not getting how this forum works but some of it doesn't appear to make any sense 
 

I'm sure that @alexp999 would be able to explain to you how to post your guides

We don’t use the guides section anymore. They’re fine here. 

7 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

We don’t use the guides section anymore. They’re fine here. 

Fair enough. Why don't you allow posts in it though?

I cant get the bottom joint off the steering rack stem. Lots of lube and a few smacks?

Accidental repost

Edited July 24, 20241 yr by SquidgyB7421
Accidental repost

I have a 2019 Mk8 at 23k miles, does the remedy also apply to this model? I would have thought that the cause would be wear in the universal joint rather than movement in the splines?

The "clunk" began last March, the main dealer from whom it was bought it said they "found a stone" lodged adjacent to the radius arm, they also said they re-greased the splines. The clunk still continued, I complained and the manager offered to re-grease the splines, the bill capped at £45.

Hey there, i'm experiencing the same kind of issue on my Fiesta. Mine's got 170k miles, i've recently replaced most of the steering and front suspension components for that brand new feel, the last thing that bothers me is that same clicking issue coming from the steering column. My question is, how did you get it out? I've gotten off both bolts, but it just won't budge. Should i shock the contact points a little with a hammer? Use a pry bar?

On 7/31/2025 at 8:01 PM, WALKMAN said:

Hey there, i'm experiencing the same kind of issue on my Fiesta. Mine's got 170k miles, i've recently replaced most of the steering and front suspension components for that brand new feel, the last thing that bothers me is that same clicking issue coming from the steering column. My question is, how did you get it out? I've gotten off both bolts, but it just won't budge. Should i shock the contact points a little with a hammer? Use a pry bar?

https://ebay.us/m/MpECl2

That for the bottom, then its a rubber mallet for the top. Hold the shaft vertical and bang on it where you have access.