i'm lead to believe that the wheel lock is not going into full retraction. When i turn the wheel it seems in certain spots that the pin is just catching the lock position on the column. I'm ok with taking it apart but was wondering if anyone has disassembled there column before..

thanks,

 

It might be the worn u-joint problem, which is fairly common.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...t-or-righ.html

 

thanks, i did some more searching and came up with the bearings on the column along with the u-joint, fixes consisted of spraying, lubing, bearing replacement to changing the entire rack. It does seem to be a common thing with the earlier modeled coopers, i am relieved that it is not the wheel lock like i thought, what would that be like if all of the sudden it decided to lock while driving. still an issue but of the lesser..

 

I didn't think for one second there is the remote possibility it is the steering wheeling lock. If so it would be one of the biggest recalls in automotive industry's history, and there would be an army of ambulance chasing lawyers ready to talk to you.