Steering wheel grinding

[Matt7084]

When im turning my steering wheel while pulling out of my driveway, there is a soft grinding sound coming from right behind the wheel. The reason i can hear it here is because im just drifting out of my driveway. The engine is too loud to tell if it happens out on the road.

Any ideas??

thanks! - Matt

[azasadny]

Matt,

Is the steering wheel loose or wobbly? Mine was last fall and I tightened it up and replaced the bushing in the steering column as the old one had disintegrated. Maybe this is causing the grinding sound? Mine didn't make any sound, it was just wobbly...

[maxnine11]

do a search for "steering column bushing"

[ruf-porsche]

When I went to install a Momo wheel a couple of weeks ago, the Momo wheel and hub would make a grinding sound when ever I turn it left or right. The original wheel never made that noise nor does the current Fitapaldi wheel make the noise. I remove the Momo and reinstall the Fitalpaldi wheel.

[Gordo2]

Too funny you bring this up. Mine has made the same noise since I bought it, just another noise I guess I don't bother to hear any more. Had a buddy of mine in the car for a ride today ask "what's that grinding noise when you turn?"

I'm pretty sure it is just the plastic housing around the steering collumn comming into contact. Press on the bottom of your collumn when turning and see if it diminishes.

Gordo

[bigchillcar]

yeah,
ditto the rub...my steering wheel rubs a little on the plastic housing behind it and makes that scraping sound as well...i just need to quit driving long enough to attend to it...
ryan

[fintstone]

I replaced my '74 wheel with with a "like new" '74 wheel and had the same problem. Upon closer examination, I finally determined that the replacement wheel's impact absorbing hub had been slightly compressed on one side (probably minor accident) causing it to slightly cock the wheel and rub on the plastic housing. I imagine the same couple millimeters off for an aftermarket wheel would do the same thing.

[na2ub]

Mine does the same. Original wheel, replaced the bushing with the tap-in sleeve. Still silent. One year later, I took the wheel off to put on a new leather skin, and after I re-installed I hear the grind. I thought at first it was the horn contact, because I had wire brushed all the horn contacts, but apparently that is not the case. I suppose I will look more closely at steering wheel contact.

[GrindingGears]

Wow, this started happening to me last week. Its not the bushing, I replaced that six months ago. I thought it had to do with the heat wave we had here last week, expanding plastic, but it's still doing it today. If any of you find out the fix let me know.

Oh ya, I tried to push the bottom of the wheel and turn, but it still made the noise. Hmmm.

[B D]

If you have power steering check your fluid levels. When its cold the level is low, and if the noise is only when you first start up it most likely the fluid ps fluid is low.

[pryord]

I had this same problem a few weeks ago. Before you do anything drastic, take the wheel off, clean up the back and put it back on. This fixed my problem instantly.

[gr8fl4porsche]

I had the same problem after my 930S wheel install.

I removed the wheel and regreased the horn contact area. It is a circular contact strip so your horn can activate from any position. I also had to bend the strip to make a more postive contact with the wheel.

[na2ub]

Re-greased? I had cleaned the contacts. Does grease conduct electricty?

[Glasgow 911SC]

Originally posted by gr8fl4porsche
I had the same problem after my 930S wheel install.

I removed the wheel and regreased the horn contact area. It is a circular contact strip so your horn can activate from any position. I also had to bend the strip to make a more postive contact with the wheel.

Mine had the same, horn contact, problem. easy fix.

[Matt7084]

it is an 86 911 Carrera, im not sure if it has power steering, it sure doesnt feel like it.

I will take it off and clean it and let you know if that solved it for those concerned.

thanks - Matt

[kqw]

I agree with Randy. Re-grease the contact areas and the problem should go away...

[jakermc]

I have this problem also. My stock wheel was fine, my 930S wheel was fine, but when I switched to a Fittipaldi is started. Since it seemed like the rubbing was happening at the hub and the plastic housing around the turn signal/washer stalks, I was thinking of simply removing the plastic housing and leaving it off. It a track car, so I am not too worried about the look. And think of the weight savings ....

[Chuck Moreland]

There are several possible problems:

1) The U-joints in the steering shaft. Will make a crunching sound and you will feel this through the wheel. Lube the 2 U joints.

2) Bushing at the head of the column. These fail creating slop in the wheel. You can replace the bushing or get the fixer that PP sells.

3) Horn ring worn. Makes a dragging sound or clicking. Lube with dielectric grease.

[Jim Garfield]

Often it's just the plastic housing that's rubbing. Try pushing the housing up or down as you turn the wheel back and forth (while parked of course). I put a small piece of rubber between the housing and the dash bottom and it stopped the noise.