The steering wheel and column in my 1987 240 wagon is loose. When holding the wheel with both hands, it can be moved slightly to the left and right. It's been this way for the three years I've owned the car. Because of this motion, presumably, the plastic cover around the column was cracked. I've been driving around with the cover off.
It appeared as though all that was needed to solve this problem would be to tighten the two bolts that secure the column to the dash. Of course these two bolts are shear bolts and cannot be tightened with a regular socket.
Today, I finally removed the shear bolts (a pain) and replaced them with normal bolts. Unfortunately, even with the bolts good and tight, the column still moves from side to side.
--
1966 122s, 1968 142s, 1969 144s, 1979 245dl, 2001 V70 XC

Here's what I did. After replacing the shear bolts with hex-head bolts and tightening them did not resolve the issue, I drove it some wooden shims on either side of the column. This, although not the correct fix, took care of it. Good enough I guess.
--
1966 122s, 1968 142s, 1969 144s, 1979 245dl, 2001 V70 XC

" Unfortunately, even with the bolts good and tight, the column still moves from side to side."
Wrap the column at the clamp with gasket material to give it thickness?
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

Looseness in one of the two steering shaft (column) u- joints?
--
Will I buy another Volvo??? We'll see....