Hi all, I recently replaced my ignition housing on my 2008 ford escape hybrid after it wouldn’t crank or start. The fix went well overall and all functions are working now - it is starting on the first go and everything connected back together well. (I would note here that the steering wheel was extremely hard to take off, even with a puller.) At the end of the fix I put the steering wheel back on. The bolt holding the steering wheel had a 30 ft lbs torque spec. I had rented a torque tench but it didn’t fit my socket and my car was undriveable when I realized. I looked it up and saw postings on mechanic advice websites saying they don’t use the spec and to just tighten it well. I decided to tighten it as best I was able. I used the small wrench that worked with my t50 bit and stuck a second wrench o it’s end as lever arm (still small -total leverarm reached about the to the edge of my steering wheel). I tightened as well as I was could and popped the rest of the pieces into place. Now, when I drive, the steering wheel turns slightly easier than before and it also has a very small amount of play that allows the wheel to jiggle up and down a very slight amount.

Is this standard after removing a wheel for the first time in a long time to have this happen after putting it back on? Have I tightened the bolt too tight or too loose? If so, is it dangerous? Thank you in advance!