Strangeness in my front end - and yes I've searched to no avail for an answer :(

[alan_florsheim]

I have a '80 911 SC w/114k miles on her. I've searched the forums so forgive me if I missed an obvious answer.

I have some strange things happening in the front end. I'm wondering if they are in any way related.

1. There is a strange intermittent "clunk when you turn the steering wheel (more than a little bit, but not full lock or anything.

I took out the intermediate steering shaft thinking it was a U-joint. When I turned the wheels by themselves the binding was still there.

I have recently had the tie rods replaced and I had torn boots on the steering rack which I replaced. They did not say anything else was wrong.

2. While driving, I get a rotational "noise" (although it's more like a vibration) which gets faster as the wheels go around faster. I noticed just prior to a driver education event that it seemed like my bearings were loose. I took it in and my mechanic (Chris's German Auto - Seattle area) said the bearings were fine, just needed to be tightened, which he did.

Now, after the event and very few miles, there is a definite movement when I grab the top of the tire. It is the same on both sides.

My gut says the two things are related... please help.

Thanks!
Alan

[TRE Cup]

Do you have bilstein struts? the movement you are experiencing when moving the top of the tire could be the upper bushing on the strut housing (not the strut mount at the top of the shock) Bilstein has the liner bushings and upper supports in stock if there is lateral movement of the insert

This does not explain the clunk while turning. If the alignment is not set right on the u joint shaft, then while turning you can observe some elliptical movement of the u joint and tightening. You would need to loosen the pinch bolt and adjust the joint up and down to find the position where it turns smoothly with no "out of orbit" movement. We see this a lot when people install bump steer spacers that move the rack up.

Now, you are telling us that you removed this shaft and u joint and the binding is still there. Next step is to disconnect the tie rods one at a time and actuate the rack to see where the problem may be coming from.

Safety note> this takes some work, but as you are on the track with the car, you should consider this mod. The steering shaft mounts to the rubber isolator on the steering rack. This isolator is fastened to a yoke that is held in place by one nut on a coned splined shaft. That is it= one small nut holding it all together. We remove the rubber isolator for access, check the torque on the nut, then spot weld it. Good used racks come cheap, so if you have to replace it in the future, it won't hurt the wallet. Seen more than one track car come in with the nut loose.

[alan_florsheim]

Thanks TRE Cup.

Yes, I do have bilsteins. I'm not clear as to what you're talking about, can you explain a little more for my feeble brain?

and when you say undo the tie rod, I assume you are meaning to undo the tierod end at the hub so that the rack is no longer connected to the wheel, correct?

[TRE Cup]

alan
the bilstein shock is an insert that is held by a roll pin thru the strut body at the bottom of the strut. The shock body is basically upside down with the housing riding up and down the inside of the strut tube (green portion)
there are liner bushings inside the strut tubes that maintain the shock in the center. At the top of the strut housing, there is a cap that contains the grease seal. When the inner liner bushings wear , you can get lateral movement of the insert in the housing.

tie rod- yes, disconnect from the spindle on each strut, one at a time to determine if it is the rack or strut causing the binding

[Mike911SC]

I have a similar noise and after replacing the wheel bearings believe it may be the shock sleeve as you have suggetsed. However, I cannot find this replacement part on any parts website, including Pelican. Can you point me to a supplier or a URL link which might help me zero in on this part?

[moneymanager]

I had a small "thunk" at the front which turned out to be the rubber boot over the steering gear rubbing against one of the hydralic brake lines. Heard mostly at low speeds. Take a flashlight and follow the tie rods in toward the steering gear while turning the steering wheel.