Early Steering Bushing - Now Available

[Mitch Leland]

EARLY STEERING SUPPORT BUSHING... (1965-1973)

News Announcement... Pelican Parts now has inventory on the early "P" car "split ring steering support bushing". See Pelican Parts catalog - P/N PEL-ML-STR-E . Cost is $21.00.

Link to part in Pelican Parts catalog

The new bushing is made of high quality MDS Nylon self lubrication bearing material and replaces the metal factory bushing. The new bushing is easily replaced and comes with complete installation instructions.

Interesting enough the PET doesn't always mention this bushing by P/N in all years, but does show the accompanying roller bearing and spring, go figure...

I would appreciate those of you that are connected with other Early Porsche websites to make a post and link this thread for me. Many thanks...

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[RWebb]

time to replace?

tools required?

[Mitch Leland]

Randy,

You'll need a 27mm socket (1-1/16" will get ya by) a 6" extension, a breaker bar all in a 1/2" or 3/4" size. It would be nice to have a torque wrench to tighten the 27mm nut back with... Other than that the rest is pretty much a small screw driver to pick up the star washer points, a hammer to tap down the new bushing into place, that's about it... It's a 30 minute job...

Just a tip, I have a deep hub so starting the 27mm nut with my fingers is hard, so i wrap the nut once around with masking tape, stick the nut into the socket, then start the nut onto the steering post. As soon as the nut is started I remove the masking tape. Oh, don't forget to put the flat washer on first...

The bushing comes with 2 pages of instructions and pictures... Out of all the bushings that have been sold, I've only had "1" guy in a rush that forgot to leave off the star washer and screwed up the install.

[piscean911/914]

just wondering if this bushing/spring would fit a T-6 356? thanks, brad in sea

[Mitch Leland]

Brad,

You've got me there... Any chance the P/N's cross over? If anyone has the T-6 spring and would measure it, Russ-rusnak has the early spring pictured above (he graciously took the pictures) I'm sure he would measure it for you so you could compare.

FYI, Pelican carries the early spring shown above. Also Century Spring in L.A. has a jillion stock springs that might work if the 65-73 spring doesn't.

[Scott at Pelican Parts]

Originally Posted by piscean911/914

just wondering if this bushing/spring would fit a T-6 356? thanks, brad in sea

I think that it will. The original part that Mitch's bushing replaces is a 356 part number and PET shows it fits the 1960-65 356, as well as the early 911/912.

[rusnak]

Mitch:

I also have a '62 356B (T-5). I'll also check it out and get back to you.

Maybe you'll have to invent a third bushing?

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by RWebb

time to replace?

tools required?

Randy,

The 27 mm socket is the only "special" tool you will need. The parts just slip on.

Plan on about 1/2 hour of you go slowly. Biggest deal will be breaking the nut loose the first time.

[RWebb]

thx - I've had the wheel off before

[piscean911/914]

i linked this thread and info to the 356 Registry site - parts for sale section - hope this helps - bbk in sea

[HarryD]

Posted over in Rennlist and Early 911S Registry Tech Sections.

[Mitch Leland]

Thanks you guys for spreading the word...

[Mitch Leland]

Some one asked if the early split ring steering bushing fits the 914-4. I believe "rusnak" said it did, maybe he will chime in on this, or anyone else in the 914 crowd...

Thanks,

[GrantG]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

It would be nice to have a torque wrench to tighten the 27mm nut back with... .

Mitch - what is the recommended torque?

Thanks!

[Mitch Leland]

Grant,

Bentley's calls for 36 ft.lbs. I never go quite that much, but that's the spec... Make sure you're pulling down on the wrench so if you slip off the nut the wrench doesn't go through the windshield. I'd also put a little anti-seize on the steering shaft spline before installing the steering wheel.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

Some one asked if the early split ring steering bushing fits the 914-4. I believe "rusnak" said it did, maybe he will chime in on this, or anyone else in the 914 crowd...

Thanks,

Mitch:

I don't think so. I know for sure that it will fit the 914-6, which uses all 911 steering parts, including 901 serial numbers.

The 914 uses completely different parts with 914 parts numbers. In fact the 914 steering column looks sort of like it borrowed parts from Volkswagon.

[GrantG]

Originally Posted by Mitch Leland

Grant,

Bentley's calls for 36 ft.lbs. I never go quite that much, but that's the spec... Make sure you're pulling down on the wrench so if you slip off the nut the wrench doesn't go through the windshield. I'd also put a little anti-seize on the steering shaft spline before installing the steering wheel.

Thanks, Mitch! Is this one of those parts that's smart to replace, even if there is no apparent problem with the current setup (steering is very good on my car - light and smooth without slop)? Do these parts have a short lifespan typically? Thanks for your efforts to supply this NLA part!

-Grant

[Mitch Leland]

Grant,

If it ain't broken, I guess I wouldn't worry about rushing to change it out. I don't think the metal split ring will go away like the later style nylon bushing will. The later style factory bushing (65-89) will just give up nearly all at once.

[Mitch Leland]

This thread is located at:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-911-technical-forum/545998-early-steering-bushing-now-available-new-post.html

Here is the message that has just been posted:
***************
I've just fitted this to my 67 and the play is exactly the same as before. 2 or 3mm up and down and 1 mm side to side. Is there another bush somewhere?
***************

CAL_MX5... I don't know why, but your post never appeared on the web site. Anyway, I'm not sure why your early steering bushing isn't as tight as it is... Candidly I don't have a lot of experience with the early bushing, however your problem is the "first" I've had. By tightening the steering column nut it should be progressive and take up any slack in the play of the steering wheel. Is there any excessive wear on any other parts of the steering column, steering wheel?

Maybe some other early car owners can chime in with some help or suggestions. Let me know if the problem persists.

Thanks,

[nine11kev]

Hi all, does anyone know the part number for the steel washer in the compression spring / split-ring bushing stack-up above? I can probably figure out OD/ID using the other parts, but if there's a part number Pelican sells, would be fantastic.