Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi All

Working on my 944 project (89 2.7) - and seem to have a PAS problem - that I hope you can advise on .
Car was laid up for approx 5 years and is running OK now - but steering is very heavy and feels like I have a very stiff joint somewhere.
The pump seems to turn fine, belt is OK, fluid in the reservoir is OK - but steering remains heavy at all speeds - any suggestions about where to start to look to identify why?

Thanks
Ian

My money is on one of the uj's on the steering shaft has seized. The only way to check is to take it off. Thats quite straightforward, take out the two bolts that hold it to the steering column and the steering rack. Then loosen the bolts holding the the steering rack to the crossmember and that should give you enough room to slide it off.

UJ's on the column would be my thoughts as well. Also it is a sports car so don't expect modern hatchback levels of assist. Also check your engine mounts which is a common reason for the UJ's to die! As the exhaust gets very close to the column.

A complete change of fluid is a good idea & clean out the res'. It degrades over time. Once you sorted the steering shaft. The pump loses efficiency over time & the steering gets heavier. So long as it doesn't leak i would leave it alone as you will soon get used to it & it's not a problem when your moving. A new pump made mine a lot lighter & gave better feel. But your looking at £150 rebuilt from JMG. There are some very nasty copy pumps out there for around £50 new but there not fit to go on a lawnmower. Had 3 and the best lasted a week.

Thanks for the advice - will have a good look at the UJs and change fluids too.

You haven't got oversize wheels/tyres on the car ? Otherwise a fluid change would be a good start

Hi All,

Well - have a good look around the steering this weekend and removed the steering knuckle with the 2 joints at either end. That was fine, very little play and all joints moved smoothly. My stiffness and difficulty in turning the steering wheel persists though - even when not connected to the steering rack - so my steering column itself is faulty.
anyone got an idea about where it could be seized/binding/tight?

Thanks

ian

Top bush? Sounds like the column needs to come apart. The wheel isn't fouling somewhere is it?

Yes - I think it must be either the top or bottom bushes. Will have to have a good poke around and strip the column. Pretty sure the steering wheel isn;t fouling anything....thanks for the tip

Just a thought and I may be completely off base here, but could the suspension leg top thrust bearings be seized or partially seized?

You could jack the car's front end up and turn the front wheels from left to right by hand and feel for any resistance in the whole steering and suspension assemblies.
Good luck.

Thats a good suggestion - but having removed the steering coupling from the column to the rack, and the binding/stiffness not changed - the problem must lie in the column.Cheers

HI All,

I removed the steering wheel and had a good look at the bottom bearing.
The bottom part of the shaft where it enters the bulkhead did look rusty, but i cannot see where the bearing sits - as all the shaft and the (rubber?) surround rotates when the steering wheel is turned - I guess the bearing is behind this? Anyone know how I can access it?
How can I change the bottom bearing - Haynes is useless....
Thanks
Ian

Have you got the parts catalogue and workshop manual?

http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-part ... _parts.php

http://www.type911shop.co.uk/shop/page/ ... hop_param=

http://www.cannell.co.uk/Manuals.htm

Try looking at these links, they may give you some pointers.

Looking at PET it has needle rollers top & bottom, my guess is that the grease has hardened or the sleeve they bear on collapsed. Unusual though.

Thanks for the tips - I've looked at the parts listings from a previous poster (thanks) and it seems the column is in 2 parts(?) - how can I remove the bottom half from the top without removing the top column part (or can't this be done?)
If I have to remove all the column to replace the bearings - does anyone know of a guide for this (esp. the steering column lock and the bottom bearing)?
Thanks for any pointers!
Ian