Steering Play - Have I missed anything?

[944Fripp]

Hi folks, I hope you're all keeping well?

I've noticed a slight knock through the steering wheel - it is most prominent when hitting a dip or a speed bump at low speed and just doesn't feel as solid as it used to. I think I have tracked the problem down but it would be good to get some other ideas before I commit to changing parts.

I have checked the following on both sides:

Ball joints
Control arm bushings
Steering ball joints
Stabiliser bushings, brackets and bolts
Wheel bearings (including thrust washer movement)
All shock absorber bolts torque
All wheel nuts torqued

Also checked the steering UJ.

I can feel a very small amount of play in the bearings but they are less than a year old with light use, I followed the installation procedure to the book, the thrust washer does move with a little force and it's recently all been checked at Porsche wit no concerns so I think they're all good.

The only other place I can find any play is in the steering UJ which as we all know is a common problem - I can hear and feel the joint knocking when I give the steering shaft a wiggle. My gut feeling is that this is the problem but I don't know if there should be a little play or whether it should be solid. Can anyone check a known good one?

Anyone else think of anything else to check? A refurbished UJ is about £180 I believe so don't want to replace it if I've also missed anything obvious.

Thanks as ever.

 

[dlknight]

Hi Tom,

Clunking is usually ball joints in my experience but I'm not sure the steering UJ should have any play...

Have you checked the track rods at both ends?

Also worth checking if the steering UJ is tightened up as I've seen the bolts work loose for whatever reason on a car previously.

David

 

[944Fripp]

Thanks David. I used a very large screw driver and gave the ball joints a really firm lever, there was defdinately no movement in them. But fully accept they could be just starting to go so maybe it's still them. I checked the steering ball joints, the track rods aren't that old either. Maybe I need to go back over it all to be sure though.

Good tip on the UJ, I'll double check this too.

Appreciate the response.

 

[vitesse]

Having replaced both steering shafts on our 924S's over the last 3years,my experience is that even the slightest play in either or both of the universal joints causes clunks when steering shaft is rotated especially the bottom one which being nearer the exhaust tends to dry out the sealed bearings & with the large angle it has to cope with produces the typical clonk/clunk as the end float changes direction.
I agree about the 2pinch bolts which need to be very tight but awkward to nip up unless the shaft can be rotated a reasonable amount to get at them easily.
I bought both of mine from ECP for around £95 inc VAT

 

[944Fripp]

Having replaced both steering shafts on our 924S's over the last 3years,my experience is that even the slightest play in either or both of the universal joints causes clunks when steering shaft is rotated especially the bottom one which being nearer the exhaust tends to dry out the sealed bearings & with the large angle it has to cope with produces the typical clonk/clunk as the end float changes direction.
I agree about the 2pinch bolts which need to be very tight but awkward to nip up unless the shaft can be rotated a reasonable amount to get at them easily.
I bought both of mine from ECP for around £95 inc VAT

Thanks Vitesse. I'll check it all over again before committing but there is definitely play in the upper UJ. What is EPC? I called my local OPC (Sheffield) who quoted over £300 for a new one.

I'm not afraid of the spanner work so I'll probably try this route:

https://www.jmgshop.com/steering-shaft-rebuild-service-422-p.asp

 

[vitesse]

Tom,Eurocarparts -ECP- actually should have said approx £ 95 each-good luck with the refurbed one.

 

[Briggy]

I used to get that clunking sound on my 944. I went down the reburbished shaft route via JMG. The issue is that on RHD cars they're close to a heat source (exhaust manifold, IIRC), which shortens their life span.

They're a bit fiddly to fit, but not exactly hard. One end is D shaped, so you have to get it lined up properly, otherwise the steering wheel will be upside down. Ask me how I know...

Cheers,
Bryan

 

[Waylander]

If your interested, JMG use Bailey Morris universal joints BM240 I think I’d the correct part number, you can replace the joints yourself, they cost about £30 for 2
my brother was rebuilding them for the 968 UK forum members for about £65, sadly he is now far to ill to do anymore,

you just need a vice and a selection of sockets, and a blunt chisel to restake them when done

 

[Waylander]

Hi Tom
i have replied to your PM
give me a call I have left my number for you

for Brian, you would be surprised to know that a lot of genuine ones were built 180 out, we have discovered this while rebuild quite a few