Steering wheel play

What are the most probable suspect parts to fail to incure approximately 1/2" play in the steering wheel? It has slowly gotten worse over a recent 3000 mile trip? Thanks in advance to all who reply to this question.

I don't think there are any components that could have worn out during that length trip, so don't get too concerned, yet! My recommendation would be to disassemble, clean, and repack your front wheel bearings with a premium Moly-grease like SWEPCO 101. The adjustment of the bearings should be to a 'snug' spec ... just be able to move the washer underneath the clamp bolt back-and-forth with a screwdriver tip, no tighter, and no 'looser'!

You did not mention the age or mileage on your vehicle, but the tie-rod ends, U-joint in the steering column, and steering rack lubrication with SWEPCO 101 and free-play adjustment might all need checking if the wheel bearing 'tune-up' didn't fix the problem immediately. If your tie-rod ends have significant wear and play, an upgrade to the 'Turbo tie-rod kit' would be a very good idea!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

I don’t know if this relevant but a while ago I had this really annoying rattle in the front end.

After ripping out the ventilation system, which was in the way, I found that the culprit was a loose lock nut on one of the uni collars. Replaced a 10cent nut and its now as tight as a drum. Good luck.


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Paul
911T'69

Thanks Warren,the car has 65000 miles on it,I'll try the wheel bearing adjustment and lube,my gut feeling is that it's not that,but that's easy and a good starting point.How do you do the"free play adjustment?Thanks,Ed

Once you have repacked the bearings, replaced the grease seal, and have the hub back in place, and the keyed washer and clamp nut back on the axle, ready to be tightened down ... rotate the brake disk and hub several turns back and forth to distribute the grease evenly ... with a Crescent wrench or open-end wrench tighten the clamp-nut until all play is taken up, and loosen slightly while trying to 'wiggle' or move the keyed washer slightly back and forth with a large flat-bladed screwdriver (1/4" to 3/8" blade)... when you can 'just' move that washer back and forth with moderate, but not light force -- 'a twist of the wrist' the play will be in the 0.001" to 0.003" range -- a very difficult direct measurement without a dial indicator, magnetic or clamping holder and heavy base of some sort!!! You can verify the 'correct' ammount of play by mounting your wheel and tire, lowering the front end off the jack stands, and 'rocking' the top of the tire back and forth by grabbing the tire at the 11 :00 and 1:00 o'clock positions and checking foe LESS then 1/8" 'play' at the top of the tire. About 1/16" would be ideal! At that level of play, any excessive play at the steering wheel has to be from ball joints, steering rack play, tie-rod ends, or steering column u-joint play! Good Luck!

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Warren Hall
1973 911S Targa

Ummm... something even simpler maybe...

The steering column has two bearings in it. There is a plastic sleeve inside the steering wheel bearing nearest the driver that has a tendency to wear out and/or crack. My wheel also had 1/2" of play. I replaced the whole bearing, voila, no play. In retrospect, I could have pulled the plastic sleeve out and shoved a new one in... It is a major mofo to get the old bearing out... of course you can't buy just the sleeve, only the whole bearing/sleeve assembly. $25