Steering bolt/screw missing

patssle · 08-12-2010, 03:52 PM

There's a bolt or screw missing on my steering linkage (no I'm not driving it - it's in storage in another city). What is the product number on this where the white line, or the size of the bolt/screw?

Thanks.

Oh Haha · 08-12-2010, 04:31 PM

The "technical" term in the Bentley manual is universal joint pinch bolt. It's listed as M8 but the length is not stated so I looked at the ones on my car.

Total length of 38mm, thread length of 32mm. It appears to be a fine thread but I cannot tell of what pitch.

Just pick up one with those dimensions(or close) along with a locking nut and you'll be good to go. Any good hardware store should have them.

patssle · 08-12-2010, 04:33 PM

Ahh ha! I was looking at the parts diagram and thought it would be that. Don't know the car well enough yet to be sure. But I was a bit confused, where is the bolt that is directly above it and to the right on my picture - not shown on the parts diagram? Or is it the same bolt for both parts?

And its a 1974.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Here is the diagram - I had to delete the original as I had a number written down wrong.

Oh Haha · 08-12-2010, 04:36 PM

All of the steering linkage u-joints use the same bolt/nut combo. This would apply to the years AFAIK from 73-89.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

I wonder if you have shaft 28 clevis part #29 which may be the part in your picture. That would explain the extra pinch bolt in your picture. Let me see if I can enlarge that part #29.

Edit - tried to enlarge and part 29 looks the same - not real clear as to shape. M8 is the way to go unless you have a year outside the range Oh Haha states. Just let me know and I will look it up.

The diagram above is from 74-77.

Oh Haha · 08-12-2010, 04:43 PM

Bob, the part he has that is missing the bolt is just turned so that the pinch "opening" is down. My SC looks the same. The different steering shafts use the same pinch bolt clamps.

BTW-how are you posting those diagrams? Scanner or pdf?

patssle · 08-12-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

All of the steering linkage u-joints use the same bolt/nut combo. This would apply to the years AFAIK from 73-89.

That would make sense for it to be shown once.

Thanks guys I appreciate it!

patssle · 08-12-2010, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Bob, the part he has that is missing the bolt is just turned so that the pinch "opening" is down.

The steering wheel is straight in this picture, so this is the normal position. The scary thing is, you can only tell it is missing the bolt when you turn the steering wheel and somebody is looking at it while you do it. I drove it .8 miles after I bought the car to a storage where I discovered the missing bolt.

Luckily the PO had it parked in storage and didn't drive it either.

Oh Haha · 08-12-2010, 04:51 PM

Even without the bolt/nut the chance of the shaft coming apart is nil. The clamp is splined to match the steering shaft.

Trust me, it is a MAJOR PIA to get that to move to install a steering rack spacer kit.

Post a pic of your car when you get the chance. Welcome to Pelican, BTW.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Haha

Bob, the part he has that is missing the bolt is just turned so that the pinch "opening" is down. My SC looks the same. The different steering shafts use the same pinch bolt clamps.

BTW-how are you posting those diagrams? Scanner or pdf?

I have to hard copy print from a pdf file - then scan to a jpg.

patssle · 08-12-2010, 06:42 PM

My car. Missing the back window and most of the interior (door panels, carpet, wiring is everywhere). But fantastic condition, no rust (that I know of yet

) No good pics, it's in a small storage area for now. 81 SC motor.

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Nice looking car - straight body and it appears no paint job needed. Keep that dog off you driver's side front bumper - or is that a bear paw print?

Given the missing parts and work you have to do get the Pelican Parts Parts CD. $10 and well worth every penny

Pelican Parts - Product Information: 000-043-400-05-OEM

Those flares look fat for a 74. Also you have black trim on the windshield - more common in later cars. You sure it's not a later model? Look at the rear flares in this pic. They really look thin compared to yours. Fatter flares came standard on the SC's that they borrowed from the earlier Carreras.

patssle · 08-13-2010, 12:56 PM

Car was pretty dusty, those are probably from my hands. Paint is near perfect, just a couple glitches at the flares, a PO expanded the flares. PO also put a new windshield, thus newer trim.

The PO I bought it from bought the car from an estate sale thinking it was an SC, it is labeled on the back as an SC, flares, and the SC motor. But it is a '74. The rear wheels have spacers and the wider Porsche wheels/tires (255/40ZR17) to match the flares.