Loose steering column in a 1986 coupe...

[fallingat120mph]

I am guessing it's the 2 shear bolts behind the tach............



So, I have noticed some play, north/south, east/west in my entire steering column when sitting in the car the last few months.

I installed the metal support ring awhile back and all was well but this feels different and am wondering if the two shear bolts that hold column to the car could be loose or if there is a rubber grommet around them that has worn???



I found this photo of an 87 that has the column apart:





I have been guilty of climbing in and out using the steering wheel and know when I was doing a full interior rebuild and dash rebuild I did use the wheel to pull myself out from under the dash a few times...

Just wondering if anyone has replaced the shear bolts behind the tach on a mid 80's 911 and what you used to replace them with.


Again, this is an 86 with the entire column moving up/down, left/right and does have a newer (few years ago) metal sleeve install that took care of "just the steering wheel wobble". Steering wheel is tight.


Just wanted some input before I tear the whole HVAC and steering wheel components out...again. Ugh.



Thanks for any links I may have missed or insight!
Erik

[PeteKz]

I also use the steering wheel to help pull myself in and out of the car and I haven't had a loose steering column (yet). Have you pulled out the tach and looked at the back of those bolts? You have the column torn down far enough that it should be easy to see what's moving.

As for replacing the bolts, I would use Grade 8.8 M8x 20 or whatever length best fits.

[fallingat120mph]

Originally Posted by PeteKz

I also use the steering wheel to help pull myself in and out of the car and I haven't had a loose steering column (yet). Have you pulled out the tach and looked at the back of those bolts? You have the column torn down far enough that it should be easy to see what's moving.

As for replacing the bolts, I would use Grade 8.8 M8x 20 or whatever length best fits.

Thanks Pete, sadly the photo above is not from my car...



Revisiting this thread of mine.

Just curious if anyone has replaced the three shear bolts from their steering wheel and how you went about doing it.

Everything else is solid but the whole thing, column included, shifts a little side to side, up and down.

Replaced the bushing with a new Rennline product to no avail...which I knew wasn't the fix...but...start small they say. Looks like the previous owner was in there with a chisel, or sludge hammer...sadly.

Photos below:















My main goal is to find out if others have had loose columns and replaced the bolts which fixed the issue???



Thanks!
Erik

[fallingat120mph]

Well, found out the three bolts (shear) for the steering column can actually be tightened or better yet, removed and replaced with something better.

Small vice grips and removal of about everything...

Love the old threads!
https://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/64606-steering-column-bushing-ordered-any-tips.html


If you have play and know everything else is good, might want to try these bolts. Not sure how they are loose but I guess 40 years and 200,000 miles will do that.




Erik

[3rd_gear_Ted]

I broke the weld pictured for the vertical mount flange to the tube structure.