2007 XC90 Steering Column Bolt Hole Stripped

FilyPhanatic · Post by **FilyPhanatic** » 08 Apr 2015, 19:22

I'm new to this. I've never done any work to a car before. I'm 18 and my mom needed her steering wheel replaced on her XC90 '07 or '08 can't remember. Anyway, I got the steering wheel off ok, but I'm having trouble screwing the bolt back in. The bolt seems to be fine, but the steering column or shaft or whatever you screw the bolt into is stripped. Forgive me, I'm new to this. Anyway, I need some kind of a fix. I was thinking maybe it needs to be tapped, but I don't know the size. Please help, it's urgent.

FilyPhanatic · Post by **FilyPhanatic** » 08 Apr 2015, 20:06

Is it possible that I just need to use a drill to get it on?

Ou2mame · Post by **Ou2mame** » 08 Apr 2015, 23:46

I just did this today, had to tighten my bolt. I put some threadlock on it to make sure it doesn't come loose again cause the airbag clips are so annoying.

But the bolt went in smooth. I wouldn't force it with power, I did it by hand. Are the threads dirty? Maybe use some rubbing alcohol and a qtip and clean the threads in the spline.

Check the bolt and make sure that the starting threads are good. I find it unlikely that the whole spline is striped inside. If the bolt is bad, replace it. Don't force it in otherwise you will mess up the threads in the spline.

FilyPhanatic · Post by **FilyPhanatic** » 09 Apr 2015, 12:57

The bolt seems fine. It came out ok, I'm not sure what happened. When I try to screw it in, it starts out ok but then it pushes up and starts going in at an angle. And then it comes to a point where I can't get it in any farther by hand. It was a bit dark out, I'm gonna go give it another go right now. I feel like if anything is stripped it would be the bolt. There's no way that the bolt is harder than the spline. I could be wrong. I might need a new shaft at this point.

Ou2mame · Post by **Ou2mame** » 09 Apr 2015, 15:21

That would really suck if you did, but I can't imagine all the threads going bad inside. It's a pretty big bolt try looking in the hole and see if you can see any abnormalities. If it's damaged it had to be done at the factory, cause I can't imagine unscrewing it would ruin the threads in the spline. My guess is the bolt. Maybe it's bent? It could happen. I would try another bolt before forcing it.