Sterring column cover not mating up right

[Michael]

In my quest to have everything 100% perfect on 5609, I have this little annoying thing with the top and bottom steering column covers. I just can't get them to stay mated up. If I push on them they snap together just fine, I have tried different tension on all 3 screws, but no matter how tight or loose, the cover has this little 1/16-1/8" gap in places around the mating surface. I'm sure I could glue it together, but then I would risk breaking it if I ever had to remove it. I know if I were to remove both pieces they would match up perfect on their own, but around the column, there just seems to be something keeping that from happening, but I can't figure out what it is. Any ideas or solutions?

I know it's really a non-issue, but little things like this just annoy me.

[sean]

Have the screw anchors pulled out of the housing at all? Maybe one or more of the anchors are no longer seated properly.

[Michael]

Thanks for the tip. They didn't look pulled out, but then again, I don't know how far they are supposed to be recessed to begin with.

I will just have to pull the covers and figure it out.

[outatym2001]

In my quest to have everything 100% perfect on 5609, I have this little annoying thing with the top and bottom steering column covers. I just can't get them to stay mated up. Any ideas or solutions?

I know it's really a non-issue, but little things like this just annoy me.

Michael.
I feel your pain. I also have the black plastic steering column cover not lining up correctly. I took it off and put the two pieces together and they fit together perfectly.
Then when I install them they don’t line up. In fact the plastic cover is crooked slightly to one side (the left side is a little lower than the right). It bugs me but there is nothing I can do about it.
I personally removed the entire steering column to install a new nylon bushing. No matter what I do I couldn’t get the column cover to fit like it’s supposed to.

[Michael]

I have already conceived an idea to make it work by using mounting tabs and small magnets. Will fix it properly over the winter with a nice "how to" to follow if it works...stay tuned.