Loose Column repair and other projects

[windsoreight]

Well as some of you may have seen from my other post I picked up a project 85 ROW for 2K off one of my customers. I got it home and started tinkering with it. I adjusted the clutch played with the shifter and got the trans shifting pretty good. I also detailed the car and installed new tunes with my son. I also fixed the sloppy column. After searching posts I made a copper bushing. Here are some pics for all who are interested There was no plastic bushing left, only plastic debris on the bottom of the cover.

Here is what I used a 1" pipe thread to 3/4" adapter. It was $10 at Home Depot


I cut at the bevel


I used a 1" socket to hold the bushing so I could file it smooth.



I usde a dremel to cut a slot, here is the finished product, i did have to sand the outside with 1500 to get the right clearance:


Installed, nice tight fit:


Here are some shots of the car all detailed

[HarryD]

Very McGyver. I like that!

On a post (problems arising with metal steering bushing) by John Walker, he noted that cars with the 928 metal bushing, had, over time shown wear to the steering column. You may want to address that issue.

Originally Posted by john walker's workshop

the steering shafts are starting to wear out because those replacement steel bushings for the top bearing are rubbing on them metal to metal. considerable wear, enough sometimes to make you think the car needs that bushing repair, when it already has one installed. so if you have one, i would recommend removing it for inspection and/or lube it real well with a long lasting grease like optimoly, and maybe check it yearly. the shaft replacement is very time consuming and expensive. just don't install them dry.

[windsoreight]

I did address it by making the bushing a tight fit. It had to be driven in. The 928 bushings are loose and that is what causes the wear. The steering shaft will spin in the bushing causing wear. My bushing only the bearing is spinning.

[tevake]

Nice job, the copper is softer so it should do the wearing.
How is the shifting now?
It sure did clean up well, and looking real good now.

I am on the same path with my new 80 targa.
Congrats on a smokin deal!!!!

Aloha Richard

[windsoreight]

I have it shifting pretty good. I found some loose bolts on the base of the shifter, adjusted the clutch, and cleaned and lubed up the shifter. All in all pretty good, I still get an occasional light clunk into second but I can live with it.

[kach22i]

Originally Posted by windsoreight

I picked up a project 85 ROW for 2K off one of my customers.

Incredible, did he owe you a lot for some previous work done or something?

Nice bushing, the plastic one I put in a couple of years ago slipped in too easily in my opinion. Too much play right off the bat.

[windsoreight]

No, he bought the car just over a year ago, during a late mid-life crisis. The car had some issues. The fresh air blower motor catching fire was probably the last straw for him. He is an accountant and I think he started adding up the cost of the repairs and the fear of driving the car got frustrated. I really didn't have much choice in buying the car. He dropped it off at the shop and said he wasn't coming back for it. So I made him an offer. Frankly even I am in awe of how much parts cost. You have to love Ebay, I found the fresh air parts for $39 plus shipping.