Steering column bushing ordered...any tips?

[KFC911]

Originally posted by ChrisL

Here's a picture of my disintegrated bushing - you can see the flecks of beige plastic where the top of the bushing was. After you remove the clip (the one with red paint on it), .....
Chris.

Great documentation on this thread already...thanks guys! I'm having a problem removing the circlip in Chris's picture. My current circlip pliers can't get a proper grip to get the job done. Does anyone know where I can source an appropriate size of circlip pliers quickly or offer an alternate method?

ps: Oops, Chris's picture didn't copy...it's halfway down on page one of this thread...

[KTL]

I've never used circlip pliers on that type of ring. I just push it off with the noses of a pair of regular pliers? Or you can grab the crescent side of the clip with a pair of pliers and pull it off.

[KFC911]

Got it....thanks Kevin!

[khamul02]

This weekend I finally got to put in a few of the many parts I've been ordering lately. All of them are required due to the normal wear & tear of a 20+ year old vehicle. I just wanted to pass on a bit of insight. I'm not sure exactly what years this thing is applicable. I think it became standard equipment in 87, although, pelican lists it as applying to 74-89. Anyway, if you have an 1/8th of an inch of play in your steering wheel (74 – pre late eighty something) this is the bushing for you. This steering wheel bushing was made of plastic. The new one is metal. When I pulled mine there was nothing but plastic dust. The install process took all of 8 minutes.

Here is a link:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_Steering-bushing/911_steering_bushing.htm

Best twelve bucks I ever spent.

[KTL]

Yep. That's the notorious 928 sleeve. Definitely a more practical and easier solution to fixing the steering wheel wobble than taking apart the whole steering column like me. I do not recommend removing the column unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. I've done it twice and that's two times too many as far as i'm concerned.

[petrolblue83911]

I can't believe we are all having this same problem at the same time! i posted my related question and then went back and looked and saw this long post with everyone having the same issue! wow, well, add me to the list, same thing happened, 1/2 to 1/3 inch of play up and down, I'll be ordering the metal replacement part from pelican now.

[Tanick]

Was there ever an answer as to whether the replacemet sleeve works on pre-74 cars? I have this issue too.

[daniell911]

I have the same problem(just started today)

Steering column moving up/down 1/3 inches

Can I continue to drive or it is dangerous?

I have a 911sc 1983

I want to order the part needed. Which part# I need

I was in the process to order parts here and glad I waited an extra day!!

I assume this tech info (http) will help me to repair
http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_Steering-bushing/911_steering_bushing.htm

I have Wayne's 101 Project also..

Tx

Dan

[khamul02]

I assume you can drive safely as I did for several months.

Steering Wheel Repair Sleeve, 911/912E/911 Turbo (1974-89) $12.00
928-347-739-02-M100

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/911M/POR_911M_intacc_pg35.htm#buy

[2002M3Drew]

Stupid question, but is any lube needed on the metal sleeve when installing? I didn't see that mentioned in the DIY article or any of the posts.

[khamul02]

I don't think it would hurt but it's such a tight fit I don't think any of it would make it into the steering column after hammering the sleeve in.

[Lesworth]

Lots of great information about excess play, but how about no excess play but a grinding noise when I turn the wheel that seems to be coming from just behind the steering wheel. Could this be the bearing failing? This noise has been getting progressively worse......

[KTL]

Bearing can definitely dry out, which is not something the famous 928 sleeve will fix. You can shoot some lubricant in there (NOT WD-40) or you can replace the bearing. I'd do whatever you can to NOT have to replace the bearing. It's a really bad job to have to do. Believe me. I've done it twice.

[Lesworth]

Thanks - I read the history on this post and this sounds like something that is definately beyond my skills. I'll try and re-grease the bearing to see if that helps.

Thanks!

[2002M3Drew]

One more tip...

The PVC idea (to use as the tool between the mallet or hammer and the sleeve) works great. I used a small section of 1 1/2 " PVC from Home Depot. Even my deepest sockts were hitting the top of the column, and therefore not woking. With theP VC, the sleeve slipped right in.

[aj88cab]

Wear gloves and eye protection if using the PVC pipe as a drift. It can shatter! Ask me how I know.

[Howard M]

Lesworth, that grinding is probably the horn contact ring and plunger in need of polishing and lubing, not the column bearing. Very easy fix. Remove steering wheel and it will be obvious.

[kach22i]

UPDATE 05/15/07

Excellent thread, but this is what I've found out on my 1977 911s.

1. Spray can cap is way to big.

2. Found a close to correct size "pump spay" bottle cap (plastic 35 mm film container also too large). My cap is white from a clothing cleaning product, the more typical clear plastic ones are too small.

3. Metal foil tape gets in there but wheel still wobbles.

I ended up using the part of the spay pump bottle cap which was too small because the large part which was cut to about 1/8" tall kept popping back out on it's own.

I tried beveling the cap (which ended up as a plastic tube 1/2" tall) with a cone grinding attachment on the end of a drill, but all it really did was heat up. It was little too small to slide all the way down the column so I cut the plastic tube (top to bottom).

It's in there with about 1/8" gap between the two butt ends.

The wheel does not wobble now, and bought me some time to order the proper part. I'm ordering the plastic part out of the Pelican order form because I don't trust the 928 part to fit, just too many things said in this thread which did not apply to my 1977.

Question: what type of puller will get the old wheel bearing out? Is there a Pelican order number?

[naparsei]

I'm in the contingent that is waiting for a definitive answer for the longhood solution. Anyone, anyone?

[ramonesfreak]

Sean Hamilton...i see your post was a looong time ago...but on the 2nd day i had my car, i developed a clicking and very very slight amount of play. i ordered the bushing replacement sleeve and installed it. It did NOTHING to fix the problem. I have no idea what the problem is. DId you come to any conclusion?

If i push up and down on the wheel, i get a subtle "click"...not really any left or right slop. its annoying since the car is brand new to me and steering different from when I test drive it...but im learning to just turn the tunes up so i dont notice. whatever the fix may be, i suspect its way beyond me and my wallet

p.s. the bushing looked fine...like brand new...but i was instructed to replace it with the sleeve anyway. i sorta wish i left it alone