Early 944 Steering Wheel Replacement

[Dano944]

The steering wheel on my ‘83 944 has been a bit gimpy, and when I had my tires replaced, the tire gorilla finally broke the wheel. My shop said they can get on original wheel, BUT my question is about the plastic sheath behind the wheel that covers the shaft. Mine is cracked and if it breaks, what do I do? It seems the steering shaft will then be exposed if I don’t have that sheath. If I ended up installing a Momo wheel, what happens to that sheath?

[TheSecondChris]

You don't need to remove that "clam shell" trim to replace the wheel. If it breaks, then you can find a used one.

To R&R the wheel is pretty easy. 24mm nut and washer and unplug horn wire.

[924RACR]

There's two sections of plastic covers in there... there's the two pieces that screw together and cover the switch gear and ignition lock - those as noted are not removed when replacing the steering wheel... then there's a plastic shroud that is part of the backside of the wheel itself, and will go when the wheel is replaced.

Note, if you do go for a Momo wheel or the like - make sure to compare diameters!!! I got a Prototipo, absolutely love it, but the diameter is smaller and so some of my gauges are hidden... not to mention steering effort makes the car rather a surprise for those who've never driven one (note that this is on a 924, so no power steering)!!

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by 924RACR

Note, if you do go for a Momo wheel or the like - make sure to compare diameters!!! I got a Prototipo, absolutely love it, but the diameter is smaller and so some of my gauges are hidden... not to mention steering effort makes the car rather a surprise for those who've never driven one (note that this is on a 924, so no power steering)!!

Ahh, my 944 had no power steering so the diameter was a concern. Shouldn’t all steering wheels offered be the same OEM diameter or did everyone try to reinvent the proverbial mouse trap?

[walfreyydo]

Aftermarket wheels, like momo, have the steering wheel as one package, and then the installation kit as a second package.

The installation kit is different for early vs late, and should not matter whether your car has power steering or not (although only early cars came with manual steering from the factory). The momo wheels installation kits include a sheath. Make sure you again, get the right installation kit for your generation/year of car (ie: airbag/non-airbag).

There is plenty of info on installing a momo or aftermarket wheel and the specific hardware kit you need for the year of your car if you google (ie "porsche 944 momo wheel installation forum"). There is a ton of info out there on installing a momo wheel on these cars, so do your research as there is a large body of pre-exisiting info out there...

The momo wheels themselves come in different diameters and you can choose whatever diameter if you wish (I went with smaller diameter 350mm). An OEM steering wheel is either a) non airbag (early cars) or b) airbag (late cars), and should not have any specific variations in their diameter other than between those two choices. If you are looking for a used steering wheel I would suggest Ebay, or the various parts resellers, such as Plyhammers or 944Ecology

[Racerbvd]

What steering wheel did you have? The 3 spoke?

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by Racerbvd

What steering wheel did you have? The 3 spoke?

I have the 3-spoke wheel.

[Dano944]

On a YouTube video reviewing a 1978 911SC, that car had the exact same 3-spoke steering wheel as my ‘83 944. Interesting.

[jcommin]

In 83, the car came with a stock 3 spoke wheel and an optional 4 spoke wheel which is about 1 1/2 smaller. I bought my car with the 3 spoke but changed it later to the 4 spoke wheel. It makes a difference if you are taller (I'm 6-2) but no difference with the manual steering, except for parallel parking. I bought a used 4 spoke wheel for my 83 and had it recovered by Classic 9. I sold my 3 spoke on ebay so the cash difference wasn't severe. And yes, the wheel shapes are similar to the 991s of similar year. If you do replace, make sure if fits the 83, check the part number.

[Monkey Wrench]

it seems as though , with power stering youdont need a great big steering wheel, except for:

if a car has power steering and you put a small steering wheel , all can be fine until your engine stalls when driving, under that rare condition ( not so rare in my ford van lol) it can be more important to have a larger wheel because it can then be really very hard to turn, in a manual steering car , this situation is a lot more manageable.

one from the volvo club put electric power steering in his p1800 sports car. he took parts from a newer car, servo motor basically. no hydraulics. I thought it interesting, what he did and it seemed to fit in and work nice without a bunch of stuff showing, I prefer manual steering myself. less unnecessary parts..it had an adjustment knob for how much help it added and evidently would work as normal steering when or if it failed..

my buddy just blew the power steering rack in his POS hyundai, 2K to have a mechanic fix it, he said.. I sure wouldn't give him 2 K for it. its a crappy little car. I dont blame him for just getting it fixed , he needed his car so whatever..

[Dano944]

After discussing the steering wheel with the Independent Porsche Shop, I realized that installing a factory OEM wheel would just get me a 40 year old wheel that may break just like my old brittle wheel. I asked them to order the proper Momo wheel with adapter. While they’re at it, they can install a new window washer reservoir with washer pump and hoses. Hopefully I won’t regret not having the OEM wheel.

[TheSecondChris]

Hi Dano, This is the first time I've ever heard of a steering wheel breaking. It's pretty normal for the leather wrap to wear out under some conditions, though.

You can't go wrong with a momo wheel. If you change your mind, replacement stock wheels are pretty easy to source.

Chris

[Dano944]

Originally Posted by TheSecondChris

Hi Dano, This is the first time I've ever heard of a steering wheel breaking. It's pretty normal for the leather wrap to wear out under some conditions, though.

You can't go wrong with a momo wheel. If you change your mind, replacement stock wheels are pretty easy to source.

Chris

My wheel broke at the upper-left part of the T. It’s where you need to grab the wheel to hoist yourself out. The “T” part has a plastic backing that bolts or is glued to the metal “T”. After 40 years the leather has also become unwrapped and the plastic cover behind the wheel is cracked (due to sun and old age), so I can’t be mad. The mechanic said he found a “rebuilt” OEM wheel but it was almost $200. I figured for that $$ I should get a new Momo wheel. I enjoy driving the car and I’m not entering any shows, so a Momo should do the trick.