Steering column bushing ordered...any tips?

[KTL]

Mark,

You are correct. There are at least three ways to tackle this job.

1. The sleeve you can buy is from the 78-89 Porsche 928 parts bin. It's a metal sleeve that you slide in place after you've pushed the deteriorated plastic (on the I.D. of the existing shaft bearing) down and into the steering column. This sleeve is part # 928 347 739 02.

2. The new bearing placed on top of the old bearing is good too. Probably quicker than #1.

3. Pull the whole column and replace bearing. This is your last resort. This job sucks. I did it and I don't want to ever do it again. Like you said, major PITA. Too much crawling under the dash and in the trunk. No thanks.

[DAVIDM]

I first tried the new bearing pushing the old bearing down the shaft. The new bearing with the new plastic ring lasted a very short time. I think it would have lasted longer if I had taken the column out and got it absolutely properly positioned. I'm not sure if just pushing it in gets the new bearing properly seated

However, still desiring to avoid the column removal job, I found another solution from one of Wayne's competitors. (Automotion, the most expensive P-Parts source) It is a hard plastic sleeve that pushes the old bearing down the shaft. This lasted two years and 30,000 miles.
I am soon to order another of these.

If you don't have a long socket, a piece of PVC pipe works wonderfully well. The part came with instructions on the size of PVC pipe to use.
David

[expat]

Thanks guys for the information.

So David, are you going to remove the sleeve you put in two years ago? If so how, or are you just going to push this new one in too? How much space is there inside for these things

I'm also a bit confused still on the sleeve vs the bushing defintion.
I imagine the sleeve to be something that slides inside the existing bushing, like a spacer to fill in the gap, whereas the bushing is a new bearing that replaces (albeit, pushes out the way) the original bearing.

Sorry for the ignorance. I haven't even look inside the column yet, just checked my Bentley.

Cheers
Mark

[Sean Hamilton]

Option 2. I like the bearing sandwich, but
Option 3. (PITA) If the chatter is within the old bearing then I'll be "replacing" it.

I'll be speaking to my mechanic tomorrow hopefully so I'll let you know what he thinks about the bearing sandwich idea.
When I mentioned replacing the upper bearing he didn't think it such a big issue - mentioned something about drilling and anchoring a press to the bearing face and extracting it? Or something like that without the need to remove the shaft.

[MBAtarga]

For the sleeve option, I found that a short length of ceiling fan pipe was the PERFECT size to slide over the shaft and tap the metal sleeve down to push the plastic part of the bushing down.

[Sean Hamilton]

Okay, this is the work I had done to rectify vertical and lateral movement in the steering shaft, felt by moving the steering wheel in any direction, and a rattle - chatter noise emanating from the steering column over a bumpy surface:-

1. R/R steering wheel, speedo, tacho and wiper, indicator and ignition switches.
2. R/R fresh air fan/plenum box assembly, replacing upper and lower bearings, retaining clips and shear bolts. (They would not entertain the idea of a quick fix "bearing sandwich" - tapping a new bearing over the old one, leaving the defective bearing captive in the steering column. I still think this is a neat trick for a DIY, but what do I know)
3. R/R Steering universal shaft and rack coupling. tightened rack yoke nut.
4. and whilst they were at it - Replaced front sway bar rubbers, wheels balanced and new brake calliper kits and hoses all round.

WOW! I've got near-as-new steering.
Everything is FIXED - no wobbles or rattles and tighter at the wheel.

[Sean Hamilton]

So I'm a happy little vegemite now.

It's a bugger of a job reflecting the invoice cost at 80% labour content!!
Cost me Aus$1099.00 after a 20% "special discount" and this, which I reckon is pretty fair considering the nature of the job, from Melbourne Porsche Centre whom I am very happy with. They appreciate a customer who is passionate about the marque, even though it's an old Porsche. I get the feeling their run of the mill customers (the ones with plenty of cash) treat the car as ......just a car?

Melbourne Porsche loan out a new A3 Audi (at no cost) whilst they have your car. Mine was waiting the weekend and a couple of days for the brake hoses, so I quickly got very comfortable driving this, easy fun little buzz-box. Trouble is, when I jumped back into the Porsche - Struth! ....pressing that clutch in! I forgot. I gotta get used it again. Still, there is nothing like a Porsche.....with a tight front end.

[expat]

Ok this is really p_____ me off. I went to the Porsche dealer today and asked for the plastic sleeve that fits inside the bearing. We checked on their computer parts list and diagram - no such part. The wrench assured me (not to bloody well I might add) that there is no plastic piece at this bearing location. He said my shaft was probably worn and gave me the price on a new one AUS$500 + labour if I wanted it!!!!!!!!! Naturally the bearing was to be removed and I don't have a press to do this.

So I remorsefully headed home with only one option in my now throbbing head. Get the dealer to fix the problem.

NO WAY I SAY TO MYSELF!

I get home and check, Sure enough, I knew I wasn't a total idiot. There was the plastic sleeve, in pieces, exactly where I thought it was!

So back again tomorrow to show them a picture! Does anyone know the part number?

What's even more annoying than thinking I was right about the plastic sleeve was they they were laughing and talking as I walked away from the counter (naturally in Chinese). I felt really dumb, because I had explained that I had seen this information on the internet and I was sure there was a sleeve even though my Bentley doesn't show it.

Oh well, tomorrow I'll go back and show them the picture and see what the story is this time! Wish me luck!

Again, does anyone have a part number.

Has anyone had luck trying to remove the plastic sleeve? I really don't like the idea of leaving broken pieces of plastic sitting inside the steering column, and I can't remove the bearing because I haven't got as press and I don't really want to pull the whole steering unit out just to get a new plastic sleeve in.

Thanks, cheers
Mark

[KTL]

The sleeve you want is a metal one, not a plastic one. It's a part from the 928, not the 911 and that's probably why your "friends" couldn't find it! The part number is as I listed it above in a previous reply.

You don't need a press to remove the bearings, you need a puller. Leaving that pushed-out plastic material around the shaft isn't going to harm anything. I know it feels kinda crappy leaving it in there, but i'd rather leave it than R&R that steering column tube again. That job sucks. I know, 'cause i've done it!

[khyden]

Hello,

in the picture one can check out a brown wire, that should be connected somewhere. On my 2.7 -74 this end of wire is not connected????

Kris

[John Brandt]

Some are making a mountain out of a molehill here. It was a 10 minute job for me.

definitely use the metal ring. The plastic one is junk. remove the s-wheel with that 27mm deep socket and tap in the metal ring with a pipe of suitable diameter. You don't need to pull anything out either. I've not had another problem in the 4 years I've owned the car

[Sean Hamilton]

Mark,
you need to contact Wayne for Pelican Part #
F-347-739-02 1 Steering Column Bushing, 911 (1974-89), 928

and heed Kevin's hindsight - try the meatl Steering Column Bushing fix first. I'd reckon the job'd rate half a wrench in Wayne's scale factor, and in your case it'd probably do the job okay.
If it doesn't work, then ...... you know the route *I* took, $$$$!

John,
maybe, but the "mole hill" did not fix it for *me*. The "mountain" did, and I'm glad I scaled it.

[Chuck Moreland]

I guess I should have kept following this thread.

I will let you in on my little secret. Method #4 for replacing the actual bearing WITHOUT REMOVING THE COLUMN!

Now don't tell anyone, this is just for you.

1 - Pull off the plastic cover under the steering column so you have access to the steering column tube.

2 - Drill a hole in the steering column tube big enough to fit a steel rod (maybe 1/4 inch diameter).

3 - Elongate the hole so you can angle the rod toward the back side of the bearing.

4 - Put the rod on the backside of the bearing, then tap it out with a hammer. I may have bent rod a bit to get to the bearing, I don't recall.

I did this to my '77 about ten years and 80k miles ago. All is well. Sorry no pictures since the plastic cover is back in place.

Good luck.

[PDACPA]

Pelican lists two parts:

Steering Wheel Repair Sleeve

and

Steering Shaft Bearing

Are both needed to correct the wobbly steering wheel?

[Sean Hamilton]

Originally posted by PDACPA
Pelican lists two parts:

Steering Wheel Repair Sleeve

and

Steering Shaft Bearing

Are both needed to correct the wobbly steering wheel?

No, not if the "Steering Column Bushing" part will fix it.
If it doesn't, then order the bearing.

[barlowdo]

Will the quick repairs also work on a 1966 911 ? I seem to recall that the sleeve did not cover the early years but not sure.

-Don

[blau911]

Anyone know if this quick fix works on a 67 911? I was told by a reputable Porsche parts catalogue that it doesn't, and that I need to replace the upper steering column bearing, which is Porsche part#914-347-711-00 and the gasket. Total cost = $190. Is that possible?
Also, is this a 914 part????Why can't we use a 928 part too?

[blau911]

How bout having the old one machined?

[Garrett]

Did anyone find out if this fix is for early 911's as well? My 65 is in need of a fix! My wheel has become quite wiggly, and is scary on the race track under hard braking. Yikes!

[Tspringer]

anyone ever learn if these fixes will work on an early car? My '69 has the old wobbly wheel and needs help!

Terry