Steering column locks while driving, help!
 

While drive today my steering wheel column lock while making a hard right turn. Luckily I survived without a scratch. This happen once before about 2 years ago. The mechanism that locks the steering wheel when parked seems to catch while making a right turn. Both times this has happened the steering wheel was turned almost completely to the right under hard acceleration. Turing the keys off and on unlocked the steering column.

A) Does it seem possible that I had the key half-way in the on position and that is why the steering column is locking?

B) Does it seem possible for the steering column mechanism to “catch” by pulling back hard when it is turned significant to the right? Both occurrences happened while I was vigorously accelerating and pulling back on the steering wheel.

Opinions appreciated.

don't drive it anymore until you have a new assembly installed. i mean it!

I agree – absolutely don’t drive it, Have it flatbeded as necessary.

I would ask Porsche to repair this for free (or at least provide the parts).
THIS SCOULD NEVER HAPPEN.
I have never seen it.

You need to have this carefully diagnosed. It may be worn/failed parts, some prior repair or even a previously damaged chassis. Whatever, it needs to be properly fixed.

Best,
Grady

I will have my mechanical install a new assembly immediately.

My mechanic thought he had it fixed after the first occurance but he didn't replace the whole assembly.

Does the key not turned to fully “on” sound like it could cause this? I am scared this will happen even with a new assembly. I want to make 100% percent sure this never happens again. I will still replace the assembly but want to make sure all possibilities are fixed.

It's Like a Ticking Time Bomb.....
 

Driving this car with a known seroius problem is just looking for trouble. This is like driving your car with known history of losing brake completely but only happened once lately. The next time you might not be that lucky to walk away like last time.

For public safety including yours, ground this vehicle until the problem is corrected. As a responsible person, we hope you will make the right decision. Good luck.

TD

Grady, why on earth would you expect Porsche to replace a worn out part?
It's an obvoius safety hazard but probably a one in a millioin failure.
If you or John Walker have never heard of it, there's a pretty good chance it never has. Surely, we can't expect any manufacturer to guarantee a part for life.

Anyway, replace the entire assembly. This part is not meant to be serviced.

On this topic, often I have to work the key to get it to turn, including taking the load off of the steering wheel. I've tried graphite, any thoughts on WD-40 of something like that? I'd worry about the oil holding dirt.

this is scary. My cousin had this problem (diff. car) once, almost 20 years ago. Yes, only once and he was in the hospital for quite a long time. It happend on the freeway and the car was totally smashed into the divider. Lucky he didn't hit anyone. Listen to others. This is very dangerous.
BTW, what causes this to happen?

Are you sure this is a problem with your steering column lock, and not a mechanical issue?

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/343319-steering-wheel-lock-up.html?highlight=steering+lock

Why do some racing organizations require the steering lock to be removed? Perhaps this problem happens more than we realize?
-Chris