OK....I checked the archives for this problem but nothing. When the column moves up out of the way after shutting the engine off, there is a loud snap before the column stops. It works fine in all other modes with no other noises. Is this a grease problem or a motor gear problem or the "famous bent washer" problem ? Oh and this is on a 09 XFSC .

 

before I found my 2011 XFSC I found a 2010 XFR besides being the wrong year it had this issue. I imagined a tooth that stops the column from moving is engaging at the wrong time either it or the gear the column moves on is going to break eventually. Take it to the dealership

 

A problem like this is widely reported in the UK. The steering column shrouding is supposedly to blame and needs to be replaced.

 

I have an '11 SC and it did the same thing. Dealer just replaced "the steering column". but since they were done the whole project in less than a day, I'd imagine it was only the shroud as mentioned...

 

Remove the shroud then see of pop goes away. If it is the shroud it will be scratched somewhere try to clear the interference or replace it.

 

I thought that it might be the shroud so I used a couple of window tint samples (that are very smooth and thin ) and placed them in different places between the shroud (and the steering column) and the weighted spacer on top. This was done on the top of the column since the stiff "plastic spacer" was spring loaded to fit on top of the shroud regardless of it's vertical position. I simply slipped the film samples between the spacer and the shroud especially around the end corners.....and voila, no more snapping. The downward turn of the top spacer at the corners was too tight against the shroud.....with the film insert, the column and the shroud just slides past the plastic spacer. You can not see this fix because of the smokey color of the film but I would like to have a more permanent fix. Suggestions?

 

Others report that fitting a new shroud solves this problem.

 

I don't think it is the shroud itself but that stiff spring-loaded spacer just above the column shroud (that moves when the column moves up and down). The corners are pressing into the shroud. We will see if my temporary fix ends the problem.

 

I thought I had the solution...but I was wrong. And I still can not believe the shroud is faulty since I have run my hand (fingers) all around the shroud and do not feel anything that seems to be an obstruction or defect.

 

vasaline on the washer?