Technical Loose steering wheel

[Plipip]

My Panda has a loose steering wheel which rocks back and forth. Just noticed it yesterday. Strangely the clock kept needing reset last week a few times and feel it's related to it being loose. Will be moving it to my regular garage for assessment but likely will need breakdown as although I drove it for a few metres to park it properly, don't want to risk driving it.
Any ideas what it's likely to be and possible remedies please? Best wishes

 

[koalar]

Clock resetting

The body computer needs 6.5V to keep the real time clock running

Either the battery is dropping too low during cranking

Most likely

Or the potential earth is wrong

 

[koalar]

Are we saying the steering wheel is wobbling loose on the shaft

Or if the steering is moved left and right, there's free play

 

[Plipip]

It moves up and down a couple of inches, feels loose.
When clock is reset it behaves as normal but feel the 2 problems I've mentioned are related.
Many thanks.

 

[koalar]

The steering is not a common fault that I am aware of

I guess its down to tacking the plastic cover off from below the steering wheel and looking 2" should be fairly obvious,

I doubt it the nut at the top, there normally quite tight to remove of the shaft even after the nut been removed

 

[Plipip]

I've been out to check and it's definitely just up and down movement. Doesn't rock side to side at all. Hopefully breakdown company will take it to the garage I use. Not worth the risk of driving I feel. Appreciate the input thanks.

 

[irc]

Is the height adjustment lever behaving as normal?
Without a fairly catastrophic failure of the steering column, there is nothing else that allows up-and-down movement.

 

[Plipip]

Will look up for info about the height adjustment lever and see if I can check it. Wasn't aware of it but thanks for the help.

 

[Plipip]

Thanks for all the help again. Found a lever under the wheel and it's secured the steering wheel so seems ok. Save trips to garage and appreciate all of the help and advice as usual. Best wishes