problems arising with metal steering bushing

[john walker's workshop]

the steering shafts are starting to wear out because those replacement steel bushings for the top bearing are rubbing on them metal to metal. considerable wear, enough sometimes to make you think the car needs that bushing repair, when it already has one installed. so if you have one, i would recommend removing it for inspection and/or lube it real well with a long lasting grease like optimoly, and maybe check it yearly. the shaft replacement is very time consuming and expensive. just don't install them dry.

[equality72521]

Thanks John.

[johndglynn]

I lubed mine on install back in May, but will check it again over the winter.

Thanks John.

[burgermeister]

Is this the steering shaft that attaches to the steering wheel (and the bearing is the upper steering column bearing), or is this the steering shaft that attaches to the rack?

[Norm Faustino]

A very good technical bulletin indeed.
Thanks John, I did install mine dry but I haven't driven the car yet, due to the restoration down time. I will make sure to glop a bunch of moly in there for sure.

[JP911]

Any recommendations on process/tools for removing these? I had to pound the hell out of it to get it seated completely.

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by burgermeister

Is this the steering shaft that attaches to the steering wheel (and the bearing is the upper steering column bearing), or is this the steering shaft that attaches to the rack?

yes, the upper shaft just below the steering wheel. i've put lots of them in dry. guess i won't any more. my accountant's shaft was very badly worn, and i just found another today. just a friendly warning.

[Cooper911SC]

Thanks ALOT for the nice heads' up John! I lube mine soon!

Cooper

[john walker's workshop]

Originally Posted by JP911

Any recommendations on process/tools for removing these? I had to pound the hell out of it to get it seated completely.

usually they slip right in with virtually no effort. i guess you'll have to get creative, or just keep a lookout for any extra play happening. then it should come out nicely. you would think it would turn with the bearing, but apparently not always.

[burgermeister]

Thanks for the heads up!

[Rot 911]

Another thanks JW!

[kbruz]

Over the last several weeks my steering wheel has started to wobble. I read numerous threads about how to do this. I have a couple of questions.

How does one remove the old plastic bushing so that the metal one can be installed?

No one seems to change the bearing out. Is this difficult to do? Do you have to remove the steering column?

[Tsunamiboy]

Subscribe

[HarryD]

Originally Posted by kbruz

Over the last several weeks my steering wheel has started to wobble. I read numerous threads about how to do this. I have a couple of questions.

How does one remove the old plastic bushing so that the metal one can be installed?

No one seems to change the bearing out. Is this difficult to do? Do you have to remove the steering column?

Check the tech articles (http://www.pelicanparts.com/911/911tech_articles.htm) for what you need. For the bushing, try this one: http://www.pelicanparts.com/techarticles/911_Steering-bushing/911_steering_bushing.htm

[rnln]

John,
thanks for the warning. I bought the bushnig maybe a year ago but never install it yet, since there always something more important to do. Plan to do it this or next weekends. Guess I will hold this task off, again.
I think if they can be worn by rubbing, then lubing/greasing might not be a long term option. Please post if you come up with better solutuion(s).
Again, thank you.

[p911dad]

Thanks John for the heads-up. I installed a sleeve a few years ago, and I noticed recently a little lateral movement in the shaft while driving. I will pull it today and check. Glenn

[COL 911]

Replaced my plastic bushing with the metal sleeve last October, no probs until I read these recent posts about applying grease. Concerned me abit, so I went back into it...

Today removed steering wheel, etc., metal bushing lifted right off with gentlepressure on the lip w/ screwdriver. No signs of wear on the metal sleeve. Some signs of 'light oil' on the sleeve, but I reinstalled it after coating inside and out with heavier grease.

May be perception over fact, but after the lube, the wheel seemed to turn smoother and with less effort.

[khamul02]

One more mini project. Thanks John, seriously.

[chrisp]

John, how many miles are you talking about here?

[john walker's workshop]

hard to say. some will never wear because they turn on the bearing, not on the shaft. others will allow the shaft to turn inside them, and that's where the problem is.