Play in Steering Column...

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

My steering wheel/ column shakes up and down to the tune of about ¼ inch play in either direction. Is there a simple way to tighten this up?

TIA.

pbs911 · pbs911's Garage

The plastic bushing in the steering column is gone. Pelican sells a metal sleave that just taps into place. Just remove the steering wheel.

scottb · 07-16-2003, 10:46 AM

I've heard it's a VERY easy installation. Pull the wheel, tap the new bushing on. Replace the wheel. Voila! Apparently there's no need to remove the old bushing, and you can just push it down the steering column when you install the new one.

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

Interesting.

Is this a pretty common problem, then?

jmohn · jmohn's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by Typical Fish
Interesting.

Is this a pretty common problem, then?

Very. Do a "search" you'll get several dozen explanations on how to replace the bushing.

Jerry M
'78 SC

Dan Owens · 07-16-2003, 12:06 PM

Once you pull the center cover to expose the column nut and start to remove it, DON'T use the steering lock to hold the wheel while you loosen the nut. It can sheer or partially sheer the pin and cause you problems. Also mark a line on the position of the wheel to the steering column shaft so when you put the steering wheel back on it will still be lined up with the wheels. Other than that it's a piece of cake.

Ove · 07-16-2003, 12:16 PM

Typical Fish,

Worst part is getting the steering wheel (and the big 27mm nut that holds it) off.
I recommend that you leave the nut on by a few threads after loosening it. That way the steering wheel cannot hit you in the face when you pull it hard towards you.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_Steering-bushing/911_steering_bushing.htm

CHILI · CHILI's Garage

I don't have any play in mine, but it knocks when I turn left to right or visa versa. While driving or sitting still. Is it a steering rack problem or can it be adjusted? That's one of the few things that I haven't tacked yet, so I have no idea about the workings of the 911 steering system.

By the way, Dan, why would it sheer the pin off if you use the locking mechanism? Seems like that's what it's for (to lock the wheel). Or is it just a piece of junk?

Dan Owens · 07-17-2003, 05:40 AM

The pressure you need to exert to loosen the nut may exceed the sheer pressure of the pin. The pin isn't meant for that type load, only to lock the wheel in position while the key isn't in and the ignition isn't opened.

sammyg2 · 07-17-2003, 07:41 AM

I had the same problem 6 weeks ago and installed the metal bushing from pelican, took me 5 minutes, piece of cake. I saved a great deal of time by using an air impact gun to get the nut off and my steering wheel was replaced last year so it came off easily with very little trouble. The bushing went in easily and tightened things up well.

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

I took a closer look at the play last night, and it in the whole column, not just the wheel. The column itself moves up and down all the to behind the dashboard.

Any thoughts?

Typical Fish · Typical Fish's Garage

I like to follow up with questions that I have asked on this bbs, so this is what it turned out to be:

The break-off bolts that hold the entire column assembly to the dash had stretched/loosened; I ended up taking out the tach (and rotating it and the speedo) and removing the existing bolts and replacing them with hardened hex heads. Mucho better; thanks everyone for the replies.