Steering wheel play

[Tspringer]

I have just installed my nifty new momo race wheel including its hub adaptor to my '69 911S. I like the wheel and it looks good, but there is some play at the wheel now. It will move around about 1/8 inch.....

So.... what can be done? I dont remember if the wheel had play before the switch to the momo wheel, its been 10 months since I drove the car. I dont remember any issues though. The play it has now is not major, but I would of coarse prefer the wheel to be solid with zero play.

Anyone ever tried to fix this? The play does appear to be coming from the steering column area between the wheel and the firewall. Any way to correct this without disassembling the car (the normal step 1 to any little project I seem to undertake )


Terry

[jtkkz]

I installed a momo wheel on my Dads car as well and has the same thing. A play from up and down of the steering wheel.

[Par911]

This thread should help:
Steering Column Bushing Replacement-Easy Fix my @$$

[Tspringer]

Par911...

Thanks for the link. I did search and found some other threads on the topic, but I am still not clear if the bushing that can be replaced is the same on an early car as on a later one? Can the press on bushing replacement fix work on a '69 ?


Terry

[Par911]

Apparently it won't work for a '69 since pelican parts describes it as only working for '74-'89. http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_interi_pg14.htm#item58
Maybe some of the other early car owners can chime in with some advice.

[Tspringer]

Yup, would appear that the later cars are a quick/simple fix..... and the early car requires total disassembly to access the install point for the $10 part


Anyone ever fixed this problem on a pre '73 car?


Terry

[Tspringer]

One more punt....

[john walker's workshop]

try stretching the spring.

[Tspringer]

What spring? I dont see any spring involved in the steering wheel, steering column, bearing assembly????


Terry

[Spud]

And that's "probably" the problem. I had the same play on my 71 911, and when I removed my wheel to fix the problem I discovered two things:

1. The cheap/easy sleeve fix was not going to work.

2. I was missing the spring that pushes down on top of the bearing/sleeve.

My spring probably was attached to the original wheel that had been replaced with a Momo by the previous owner. I got a replacement spring from Parts Heaven (cheap!) and dropped it in, and viola, no more play. Get ahold of the early steering column parts diagram and you will see the spring and where it goes.

HTH,

[Tspringer]

Ahhhhhh Doug, Im sure thats probably it! I didnt know there was supposed to be a spring there.

Heck, I may even have this spring around here someplace. I looked on Pelican but they dont seem to have the parts diagram showing this piece.

Anyone have a picture of what this spring looks like or know where online a parts diagram can be found for these early cars steering column?

Thanks again for the help!


Terry

[ttweed]

Terry-
Did you find this thread in your search?

There is a diagram of the bearing and spring for the early cars in it. The spring keeps tension on the bearing so it will stay pressed in its seat.

HTH,
TT

[Tspringer]

I didnt find that one. No idea why not.... I searched on "Steering wheel bearing".

Anyhow, I now know what Im looking for! Thanks!


Terry