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pmcaya2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 191 Location: Scio, NY USA

Seems like my 1982 924 with ablut 150K miles has a problem with the upper steering U- joint where it attaches to the steering column. There is a dead spot when the wheels are pointed straight ahead. You can move the wheel a bit (2-3 inches) before the upper U-joint moves. It moves the rack normally on either side of this dead spot. The rack-and-pinion and lower joint are fine. I have a Haynes guide, but I need your help and advice about obtaining the parts and doing the job. Thanks in advance. - Peter

P.S. Even though my insurance is paid up, my wife forbade me to drive it and my brother-in-law said he would buy insurance on me if I did. I don't think its that bad if you keep it under 60/ mph - you sort of get used to it ... like driving on the left....

Paul · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 1:51 pm Post subject:

Park it please!

The easiest thing to do is to find a good used steering shaft with both U joints. Try posting in the parts wanted section.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Ozzie · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 3:11 pm Post subject:

From what I have read the uni joints are not repairable and you have to replace the shaft.
Also there is 2-3 different types of shaft. Look the same but different lengths.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

pmcaya2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 191 Location: Scio, NY USA

I was only kidding about driving it - thanks for your concern. Replacing the steering column looks like the devils own job - probably need to remove the brake vaccuum booster just to get started. Is this a rare problem? has anyone done this before? - Peter

Paul · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 12:15 am Post subject:

Assuming it's a US car, it's about 1/2 hour job to change the shaft. It's held on by only 2 bolts!

Very common problem, especially on 931s with 205 tires.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

pmcaya2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 191 Location: Scio, NY USA

Thanks Paul. Its only 2 bolts after you disconnect the U-Joint! It might be a half hour job to remove the steering column after you loosen the U-joint pinch bolt and the vacuum unit. Per my first post, I need your help and advice about obtaining the parts and doing the job.

Paul · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:31 pm Post subject:

Is this a US car? We all appreciate if you at least put the country where you live in your profile or signature.

It's really 6 bolts and it can all be done in minutes without removing the the booster.

First spray everything with PB blaster or Liquid Wrench.

You need to remove the 2 thru bolts on each U joint and the 4 bolts that hold the steering rack to front cross member.

Once all this is done just pry the U joints off the rack and the steering shaft. Then remove the shaft with the U joints in one piece.
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Paul · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:41 pm Post subject:

It looks like this:

_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Paul · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 1:43 pm Post subject:

The dreaded bird has them:

http://www.pelicanparts.com/cgi-bin/smart/S-mart.cgi?command=add&weight=1&itemid=477-419-951-F-OEM&itemname=Steering%20Shaft%2C%20%39%32%34%2FTurbo%20%28%31%39%37%37%2D%38%32%29%2C%20Each%20Brand%3A%20Genuine%20Porsche&itemprice=293.50&itemquant=1
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

Porscheaddiction · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 2:39 pm Post subject:

takes only minutes.I like that comment, I took me quite a few hours there is not much room to work on the upper u-joint bolt, but once u have that nut and bolt off u drop the steering rack a bit and the shaft normally just falls off from the top connection. remove the bottom u-joint bolt and lift, it normally comes right off as well. the fun part is installing the new one. slide the top u-joint on hold on to it and with your other hand bring up the rack and slid the bottom u-joint in position, (I found it eaiser to use a hydrolic jack to lift and keep the rack in position) once both the bottom and the top are on u can bolt the rack back into place. Now bolt your bottom ujoint on, now for the fun part rebolt the top u-joint. torque everything to spec, Drop down the car center your wheels and make sure your steering wheel is centerd . if not. unbolt the steering wheel center it and retorque it to spec. YOUR done enjoy the better "tighter feel" while u drive.
Good luck
Chris.
_________________
1981 924 NA (Restoring mode)
1984 928S (Enjoying the driving season)

Ozzie · Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 5:52 pm Post subject:

ITs a little trickier with RHD but its easy once you get to the bolts.
_________________
Porsche 924 1984 (UK import) NA
Its AUTO and its BLACK
Montego Black on black/red
Engineer of Electro/Mechanical Systems Maintenance

Mike924 · Joined: 12 Aug 2004 Posts: 2601 Location: IoW UK

Hey, Pete,

before you fork out good money for a new shaft, just make sure th play isn't right at the steering wheel. If the nut holding the steering wheel becomes loose (even a little bit), you can start to get a couple of inches play in the steering. Check this fist - it may save you a few dollars (presumably; we still don't know where you're from!

)
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

pmcaya2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 191 Location: Scio, NY USA

First of all, thanks to all for your help and patience - esp Paul. I live in western NY and intend to take another crack at the steering this weekend, when/if it warms up. It has a 5 speed manual and no power steering. I managed to loosen the top u-joint pinch bolt, so I should be able to remove it and the steering column as you suggested. I'll also check the steering wheel nut, but I think that its tight. Thanks for stopping me from removing the brake booster . I'll be back to update. - Peter

Paul · Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:43 am Post subject:

You've got the hardest part already done (the top U joint bolt)!
_________________
White 87 924S "Ghost"
Silver 98 986 3.6l 320 HP "Frank N Stein"
White 01 986 "Christine"
Polar Silver 02 996TT. "Turbo"
Owned and repaired 924s since 1977
Porsche: It's not driving, it's therapy.

pmcaya2 · Joined: 24 Nov 2005 Posts: 191 Location: Scio, NY USA

Update: I loosened the top U-joint, and I thought that I could seperate it from the steering column after I disconnected the steering rack. I can turn the u-joint nut with a trick socket but the bolt turns also. How do your loosen/tighten ths upper U ?

Another thing: what generally strips , the shaft or the steering column?