So I'm a new owner of an 03MCS and I've had the car about a month now. OIt's got 50K on it and all service has been done by a certified shop/dealer. I've noticed that when the steering wheel is centered, when I turn it slightly to the right, and I mean very slightly, there is a notch, not a click or anything like that, it just seems to have some laxity in the steering wheel. From what I've read about steering columns, I'm not experiencing what others have described.

 

I have an 03. When I bought it it had the groaning steering wheel usually turning left with a little vibration.

I removed the dash piece under the steering wheel and also the lower steering wheel cover and sprayed some silicon lube in the bearings (lower part of steering shaft and on the backside of the steering wheel). Groan is gone but I still have what feels like a flat spot when the wheel is close to 12 noon.

I suspect that the bearing has a flat spot in the race/ball. For the cost of repair I am happy to live with it. It still feels a bit wierd at times b/c the wheel feels a hair loose only at that spot.