Steering wheel problem - HELP

AXN · 11-21-2006, 07:30 PM

I have 1980, 930 and today my steering wheel got VERY hard when turning, then normal, then hard again etc.

My mechanic had a look at it and told me that it's my steering wheel bearing (the on on the shaft that you see when you open the cower to see the steering and air condition motor).

I don't know the name or what to order. I did find the right picture in the diagram at Pelicans.
Anybody can tell me exact name or the part number so I can order the part. Should I replace more parts?
Any secrets how to change it, etc.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Picture attached.

TIA

Goth · 11-21-2006, 08:00 PM

Pelican has 2 "Steering Shaft Bearings" listed for your car:

OEM is $86.00 under PP P/N: 911-347-029-00-OEM

Aftermarket is $22.50 under PP P/N: 911-347-771-02-M40

Do a search by the P/N and they should come up.

Hope This Helps!

AXN · 11-21-2006, 08:12 PM

That's it!

That was quick.

Thank YOU very much Doug.

dukhunter20 · dukhunter20's Garage

I took my steering rack out today to replace the tie rods and bushings, the bearing you pointed just slides off the steering shaft. You might not need to completely take out the steering rack, you can access the universal joint through the "trap door" under your front hood. If you loosen this joint the steering shaft slides out, however make sure you mark each ends for reinstalling the shaft. I'm not to sure if the steering shaft slides out without actually taking the whole rack out. Mabe someone can clarify. But thats what I would try.

p.s. #24 is a rubber bushing that the steering shaft goes through, #23 is the bearing.

AXN · 11-23-2006, 04:40 AM

Thanks Brett,

Just order the bearing yesterday. Hope that's all I need.

AXN · 12-02-2006, 05:52 PM

Something is wrong.

I got the bearing number: 911-347-771-02 (same as 911-347-771-02-M40) and supposedly same as 911-347-029-00-OEM

BUT, it's not the bearing I need. What I got in the plastic bag is a
completely wrong part. It looks like it's a bearing for the top
steering wheel somewhere inside the dash/steering. It's narrow, bigger
diameter and plastic inside/metal outside. (photo attached)

Very disappointing, especially when I have to find way to get it to Costa Rica (not easy).

When I go to diagram (the only one) in Pelicans URL:
http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911_Parts/1974-75/4-3.JPG
I see the part I need (#23), but I am not sure what's happening or
where is the mix up. Is the part number wrong? Is it just wrong
bearing I got? Or what?

I need the #23 bearing in my original post. It's the bearing that has
a robber casing over and my mechanic told me the robber casing and
bearing comes as one.

Anybody can comment and help please.

BTW: it's only part of my problem. My steering rack is bad as well.
It's tight and sometimes it locks up.
I will need to replace it as well. Any tips where to buy one and best
price. I can't send my core (it would be stupid from Costa Rica), so
perhaps used one? Or am I taking to many chances with used part?
Reconstructed would be better way to go, but what about the core?

I need help.

TIA
George

Goth · 07:43 PM

Wow George, Really sorry to here about the mix up.

Maybe post a pic of the new part received (pic in your post?) and the old one you want to replace. I'm sure someone will know what you need.

I guess a call to PP from your place is major $$. Perhaps you could contact the PP guys (via the web) at this link to their support page:http://www.pelicanparts.com/support/ContactUs.htm

BTW: If your rack is binding intermittently, you may just have some dirt in your rack.

Hope this helps!
Doug

PS: Did you get my PM?

AXN · 07:12 AM

Got your PM Doug.

Thank you very much - you are great.

Are you ready for this?

I went to see my mechanic with my new part today.
Didn't start till 3 pm, rainy ugly day - garage on the street

Oh well - that's Costa Rica

He open the smugglers box, took the steering shaft apart took the bearing inside the robber out (#23), the bearing was completely gone!

Left the steering disconnected, jacked the car up and checked the steering rack. Here he found another problem. Very sticky, making noise - so it could be only lower bearing(s) or the box it self. (must give him credit for that)

PROBLEM was that I couldn't leave the car on the street, so he
assemble the steering again (with out the bearing) so I can get home. That's where the car is now.
Nice hea?

I also went trough the forum and found that the steering bearing and box is fairly common problem.

Some guys have great posts how to rebuild the box and cost is minimum.
SC Steering Rack DIY Bearing Replace

Looks not that complicated - the biggest PITA is to get the right bearings in CR.

George

AXN · 12-05-2006, 06:49 AM

I need the #23 bearing in the diagram.

Can someone confirm 100% what is the part number.

Pelicanparts is not answering ticket and I need to order one ASAP.

TIA
George

AXN · 12-05-2006, 12:35 PM

Lates news from PaelicanParts ticket:
911-347-771-02-M40 is the upper steering shaft bearing
911-347-029-00-OEM is the lower steering shaft bearing

Just in case someone likes to know for the future.

Goth · 12-05-2006, 06:02 PM

Hi George... It sounds like your getting there.

So is #23 the considered the lower bearing?

Thanks for the update.

zyron16 · 12-14-2006, 12:26 AM

My car had the same problem my steering wheel got hard when turning, then normal, then hard again etc. til one day I almost killed my self in the highway because the steering wheel was to hard to make turns... After that episode (that scares like hell) I bought one rack and pinnion at Ebay and I also bought the #23 part on you diagram. I bought it from pelican parts. I really recomend that you change you rack and pinnon. If you just replace the #23 your car will continue with the same problem.

AXN · 12-14-2006, 06:06 AM

Yes, same problem, same solution - I also end up against traffic and smoke was coming out of my tires braking

FUN

I replaced the rack and pinion as well. Actually that IS the usual problem. Mine was completely dry and bearings not existent.

You don't even need to buy other R&P, you can rebuild yours. It's a BS
rebuild (I was watching and helped little just to learn). Change the
two bearings ($10), some cleaning, some grease and you done.

Mechanic did the whole thing for $150 (included: comes to my place, takes it of did the rebuild work, putts it back).

I am just going for alignment and I am done.

I "strongly" recomend this fix for older Porsche!

t.brady · 12-14-2006, 06:26 AM

Hola George!

Where are you in Costa Rica? I visit often and have never seen a 930 there (or any other 911 for that matter).

A friend lives in Marbella, Guanacaste. He also happens to be a former Porsche driver, with a world championship under his belt...

zyron16 · 12-14-2006, 09:44 AM

I bought and used rack and pinnion at Ebay for just $125.00 shipping included. That's why I didn't think about reparing the broken one.

I really recomend that you change your rack and pinnion because otherwise you will have the same problem.

AXN · 12-14-2006, 10:07 AM

Hi Tim,
I live in San Jose West (Rohrmoser).

You don't see that many on the street, but we have about 60 (911 type). Plus the rest.
Problem is that we can't get organized.

I tried to renew Porsche club here, but it's tremendous PITA.

Here are my two Porsches.
1)912-1969 > converted (I mean everything) to 911 Turbo 2,7L
2)930-1980 > converted to 964 3,2L, DTA etc.

George

911

and 930

Goth · 07:16 PM

Hi George,

Nice pair of Porsche's!

Glad to hear you got it all figured out

Take Care...

AXN · 12-14-2006, 06:55 PM

Yes, I did. So far everything is working great.

I am still waiting for my #23 bearing

to be 100%