Misc 944 Issues
 

I recently purchased my second 944 (I've always regretted trading in my old one) and it's more or less a long term restoration project. I've noticed a few things about it (I haven't taken it for an inspection yet)

The steering wheel shakes pretty hard once you get to 65-70mph but quits once you get to 75-80mph. (Balance problems??)

When you slow down to a stop, there is a grinding in the rear. It only happens when you are almost to a stop. (Brakes or CV joints??)

The engine 'coughs'. It does this mainly when you let up on the gas to slow down a bit. It seems fine as long as you don't want to slow down. It also doesn't do this if you push the clutch in and let it wind down. By 'cough' I mean it feels like the car is kinda jumping forward and backward. Hard to explain. The previous owner said this was due to the fuel sensor, but I haven't found a 'fuel sensor' part.

Any ideas?
Thanks
Brandon

My 944 has an out of plane wheel hub on the left rear. It causes an intermittent scraping noise at that wheel just before car comes to a stop. Eventually, it would cause rotor warpage. I am going to replace hub shortly.

I don't know how bad your front vibration is but once I had a severe front vibration blow the seals out of my rack/pinion. It happened at a track event under extreme use. But any vibration will cause pressure pulsations in the rack/pinion - any problem that causes the steering wheel to shake is doing that.

Mr. Coppari's idea is a good place to look into. but I would start simple. Check the rear pads. Chances are that the previous owner ruined a set of pads on the rear, and simply shorted out the pad wear indicators so that the warning lamp doesn't light up.
The reason I say this is, Your clutch is shot! I'm pretty sure that the rubber center of the clutch disc has worn out, and is hitting the metal "last chance" stops. To check this, put the car in gear, and rock it back and forth. If the clutch is gone, it will have slack then stop(the car will move back and forth until it hits the stops, stopping the car). This is a very common problem, and most 944 owners will sell the car, rather than spend the $800-$1000 to replace it. I've even seen cars parted out rather than replace the clutch. I would bet the previous owner knew this and wanted to unload the car rather than put alot of money in it. There's also a chance he didn't know and thought it was a "fuel sensor". At any rate, get it fixed ASAP. It can actually ruin the crankshaft snout where the pilot bearing goes, and the transaxle. Everytime you get on and off the gas, it's like "dumping" the clutch, and can tear things up in a hurry.
As for the steering, it could be alot of things. Try to find someplace that can balance the wheels on the car, not off of the car. If that doesn't do it, check the usual, alignment, suspension parts and bushings, tie rod ends, steering rack, anything that moves or spins on the front end. This is another common problem on 944's. some do it, some don't. Mine never has.
I know I'm long winded, but hope it helps!

I had an '86, and it was extremely sensitive to wheel balance and alignment. I'd check those first!
Eddie

I have a similar "trailer hitch" problem with my 84 944 and have deduced it is the rear main shaft bearing, I am going to replace it hoping to aviiod buying a new transmission. I am curious to know the outcome of your problem.