'69 Steering Column Bearing

[Britain Smith]

I have a '69 with a loose steering column. I took out the shaft that goes through the housing and starting looking at the bearing that feels loose. Does anyone have any experience replacing this bearing? According to the PET, this bearing has a 914 part number. Is it still available? I read some post about later model steering shafts with a plastic insert, but I am sure that mine is not like this. Check out my pics.

Thanks,
Britain

[Britain Smith]

Here is a screenshot of this part in the PET CD along with the associated part number.

-Britain

[Britain Smith]

I also noticed that the according to the PET, this bearing sits at the top of this shaft. However, my shaft as show in the photo above only has a bearing at the bottom of the shaft.

-Britain

[jluetjen]

Gee, I replaced my steering column bearing a few years ago and it slipped over the top with the steering wheel off if I remember correctly. The column does have play further down, but it is the bearing at the top that stableizes it. To put it differently, one thing that I am pretty sure about is that you shouldn't have had to remove the whole column to get to it.

I wonder if the reason that your steering column had play in it was because the bearing was missing in the first place.

[ZCAT3]

Hey Britain - I have this same problem in my 69S. If you find the part let me know. Have you tried calling Carlsen Porsche?

EDIT: I just called Carlsen Porsche and this is a $200 part. Holy cow!

[Britain Smith]

Ouch...I will do some investigation and let everyone know what I find.

-Britain

[Britain Smith]

Alright...after looking at the diagram on the PET some more, I determined that the bearing on my shaft in the picture is actually listed seperately. Check out this PET screenshot. Now, I will need to ask the 914 guys if any of them have any details on the top bearing that I don't seem to have.

-Britain

[JWest]

Britain,
The lower bearing is the same as the lower bearing in a 914 column, it is a sealed ball bearing.

The upper bearing is applicable only to '73 and earlier 911. It is a cup-shaped ball bearing and sells for ~$200.

Also required with the upper bearing is a spring and a split retainer. These are mounted to the back of the steering wheel and engage the bearing when installed to preload it. These are not inexpensive parts either.

[Britain Smith]

According to the PET CD, the upper bearing has a 914 part number. Is there any chance that early 914 also have this part? I guess I am asking because I know of a place that has way too many 914 parts and I could go looking.

-Britain

[JWest]

Originally posted by Britain Smith
Is there any chance that early 914 also have this part?
-Britain

It's the 914-6 (only) that used the same bearing.

[Britain Smith]

Well that sucks...I will have to look into it some more.

-Britain

[Britain Smith]

Alrighty,

I took a quick picture of my steering column, can someone lend me a hand and let me know what part I am missing? Does anyone have a picture of what the steering shaft is suppose to look like with the proper bearing installed? This is a '69 car.

-Britain

[JWest]

You have the bearing installed there. The shaft does not touch the bearing.

On the back of the steering wheel hub you should have a spring (914 347 713 00) and a retainer clip (695 347 725 00). These will press down on the inner bearing race when you install the wheel, tightening things up.

This thread has some pics of the spring on the back of the wheel. Look for links on a post by Neilk.

[HarryD]

It is unlikely the ball bearing failed. Most likely, you are missing or have misinstalled the "bearing" which looks like a metal donut. You do not need to remove the steering shaft to perform the repair.

My stock wheel was really wiggly until one day I took the wheel off and noticed that the spline on the steering wheel had the donut between the wheel and the spring instead of at the end of the spline.