Drove the 944 to Tahoe and WOW

[Jerry 83 944]

Finally drove the (new to me) car to Tahoe yesterday. Went up the mountain, around the upper shore and back to I80 home. I can't believe I've been missing out for so long.

I'm hooked.
However... po told me the wiper fuse is out because it will occassionally make a swipe on a right turn?! I don't plan on driving in the rain so I'm not worried about it. Switch sticking to the column?

[lousailor]

It's easy enough to pull the steering wheel and clean and lube the connections (use dry wire). You just need a big enough socket (I think it's 23mm).

[Jerry 83 944]

Thank you for the input. I'll tackle that this week. Actually, after my drive to work this morning I hear a faint noise that is on target with the rotation of the drivers rear wheel. Looks like I will be putting in a new complete axel. I found one complete for 216 bucks -both sealed cv's on it. -I would guess on having a bad cv right now.

[lousailor]

It may just be the tires out of balance or a loose bearing. Much cheaper than an axle.

[Jerry 83 944]

The tires on the rear have a small flat spot from the po letting it sit for long periods. I replaced the front two and plan the rear relatively soon. I am getting noise when putting a load on and letting off the gas, a clunking, and I am also getting noise when turning opposite from the offending corner, clicking. I'm sure it's a cv and after a call to a former Porsche-schooled mechanic I'm looking forward to the wife letting me spend the dough for a new axel. Apparently the pass side is good as per the receipts the po gave me. I'll be doing the r/r on the axel but the timing / cam belt will be done by a local shop (450 bucks.)
Plans for the new beater:
timing / cam belts
new axel assembly
plugs/ wires cap and rotor
rear tires (should I go a little wider?)
cd player /speakers

Any thoughts on what I've listed?

[Jean-Marc]

I don't plan on driving in the rain so I'm not worried about it.

I wish I could say that too !

[..P]

Congrats, a 944 to Tahoe and back, sheesh, some people have all the fun!!!

P

[Zero10]

Don't shell out for a new axle, just buy the CV joints. Somebody either here or on Rennlist discovered they match a VW van, makes the joints around $40 US each. So, $80/axle.

The steering wheel nut should be 24mm.
Use a 3-6" extension to make sure you clear the wheel. I can just make it over my GT grant wheel with just a deep socket.
Don't forget to mark it for alignment when you remove the wheel.

[stupenal]

i drove my bmw with Yoko Intermediate tires up to tahoe, DURING A BLIZZARD. Tahoe is not as much fun when you have RWD, never driven in snow, and summer tires on.

[Jerry 83 944]

I don't have the vice and other misc tools for a cv r/r at my apartment. I feel confident that the whole axel r/r will be easy. If I am pointed in the right direction for cv's I may go that route because I found (No the best salesman from Pelican) that the complete axels DO NOT come pre-greased. I have to take the boot off, grease and put the boot back on. That's asinine because the boot is on there to prevent dust... if it can prevent dust then it can prevent grease from sepping out. What a joke. I'll never get the straps tight like from the factory. Pelican is more expensive than another joint I found anyway.
I'm thankful for all the feed back / help I get from this forum, though.

[Loquat15]

Originally posted by Jerry 83 944
I don't plan on driving in the rain so I'm not worried about it.

Driving in the rain is actually quite fun.