loose steering wheel

[jkcrewsn]

I just got back this week, and decided to take my girlfriend for a ride around the island. About 20 miles from home, I stopped at a red light and wedged my leg between the brake pedal and the steering wheel, when much to my suprise, the steering wheel moved up around 3/4 of an inch. I was pulling into a parking lot, and when I stopped, I was able to wiggle the wheel in every direction. I didn't have any tools with me, so I drove it gently home. It feels as though the steering wheel shaft has lost some kind of bearing or bushing. I obviously haven't taken anything apart yet. Can someone give me a heads up as to what I will be looking for? Will I have to take the under dash cover off? I will most likely start with the ignition cover area and go from there, but even that was reluctant to come off without some amount of force, so I left it untill I had time to take a good look at it. Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks.

[1bar]

I had the same thing happen with my '77 930. Pull the steering wheel off (one large 36mm nut if I recall correctly, under the horn pad, and a breaker bar - oh, and eat your Wheaties before you get started). You'll find that the original bushing that centers the steering shaft has disintegrated.

You can pick up a small metal "ring" that pushes over the steering shaft and down into the assembly between the switches on the steering column. This thing should cost you $10 from a local shop, don't know what Pelican sells it for. I'll go look.

The whole fix should take you 10 minutes, and last for a couple more decades. Just make sure that you pick out any remnants of the original plastic part, as they can get jammed into something - quite a surprise when you take a quick corner on the way to work some morning and the steering wheel gets "stuck" for a few seconds (ask me how I know this... - no, don't - I'll just deny it ).

Larry

[1bar]

Gotta love this Pelican site.

Part number is F-347-739-02, $12.95

Look under the 911 parts page for your year, Miscellaneous | Steer Bush | Steering Wheel Repair Bushing.

There's also a tech note on that page that should help.

Larry

[jkcrewsn]

Thanks very much. Yes, you gotta love this place. I appreciate your help!! How's the weather in Portland? I grew up in Hood River, and miss it like mad. Take care, and thanks again!

[steve911]

FWIW, the nut holding the steering wheel is 27MM - retorque it to 36 ft-lbs when done. I'm installing a 930S steering wheel as we speak.