911 Steering question

[Booney1golf]

My 85 911 steering wheel is not straight even though the tires are. Maybe 1 inch to the left. Also the turning radius when turning left is less than when turning to the right. Also a little play in the steering.

Steering rack bolts are not loose. Bolts accessable thru smuggler's box have been tightening (helped a little - steering play only).

One shop told me the steering rack is bad. another one told me it was not the rack. Would turning radius be reduced only when going left if it was the rack. It turns smooth and does not bind either way.

Could any or all of this be tie rods as I have read going to the turbo tie rods could help some of this.

Thanks for any suggestions or help in these issues.

Booney1golf

1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa - No substitute

[TRE Cup]

Sounds like a few things are going on
the rack itself may not be centered in its travel range. A quick verification of this can be done by looking at the tie rods. How long is each one? If the lengths are significantly different, then the next step is to center the rack. The steering wheel may have to be removed and repositioned once the steering is squared away

[buster73]

Possible the steering rack was not centered when the tie rods were installed. Should be the same number of turns to both sides (ca 3 full turns from stop to stop) unless you have a steering lock set on one side for some weird clearance issue (wheel/tire, suspension, oil cooler...).

The steering wheel might simply be off center because it was not installed with the front wheels straight. If it pulls to one side while driving the toe might be off (e.g. bend tie rod).

Play could be worn or damaged tie-rods (could also effect toe) or suspension (ball joints...). Look under car while someone moves the steering wheel.

Make sure the rack and the tie-rods are in deed not damaged or bend. A bend rack could cause all of the above. Have you just bought the car or do you know its history so you can exclude any accident or damage.

[TRE Cup]

And don't forget to check each strut to make sure they are not bent- especially on the steering knuckle

[Booney1golf]

Thanks the replies. I bought the car about a year ago but it is not my daily driver however I only noticed this about 2 or 3 months ago during one of my weekly drives.

I went to change lanes (to the left) and the wheel moved about 1 inch or so before reacting. Then I noticed my left hand U turn radius was not very tight like it had been before or as tight (turn radius) as the right hand turn was.

Too be honest with you (I could be wrong) but the right hand U turn radius may be more (tighter turn) than before. If not then it is at least alot more than the left turn radius is.

I am not sure if it makes a difference but the left side of the car is a little lower than the right for some reason.

I think I will change to Turbo Tie rods anyway.

As far as the car History I bought it from the 2nd Owner and it had all of the records and I had a Porsche shop check the car before purchasing same. All of them told me the car had not been wrecked.However I found some other things that the Shop missed so who knows?

Unfortunately I do not have enough money just to leave it at a shop and tell them to fix it so I am trying to narrow it down and do what I can myself.

I really appreciate the time and this website. I hope I don't ask too much or bother anyone.

Thanks & best regards,
Booney1golf

1985 Porsche 911 Carrera Targa - No substitute