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I recently picked up a 2003 996 Turbo with 33K miles - the PPI picked up a few problems one has been sorted with just a battery replacement the other one might be harder to fix - I would really like some insight from anyone that has had this issue or might have an idea of the cause.
There is about 1/16 to 1/8 inch vertical play in the steering wheel/column
The steering wheel shakes and rattles over rough roads, wash boards are the worst, even an expansion joint can cause it to rattle a little
I have been searching the forum but have not found a thread that addresses this - I have had the suspension inspected by a good shop and everything looked in good order and factory correct but i have read that the upper strut mount is a common problem and cant be detected visually - it seems like I get a lot of energy transmitting up the steering column but overall the car handles really well.
If I put upward pressure on the steering wheel while driving over rough roads it stops the rattle from happening.
Thanks for the help
There really should be no vertical play in the steering wheel. I would check the steering column bolts under the dash and make sure they are tight, 14 and 15 here http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=403-05
Aside from that, you will have to pull the steering wheel and check the upper bushing in the steering column. I don't think it is a serviceable item. Also that the steering wheel nut is tight. Someone awhile back had a steering column issue and found that the upper bushing was not seated correctly. I'll try to find that thread because it had some good pictures.
I found this thread on RennTech. It is the one I remembered, however, his issue was fore/aft movement of the steering wheel. But it does have some good pictures with the steering wheel removed and what is behind it. I would start by making sure the steering column bolts are tight. https://www.renntech.org/forums/topi...comment-281960
There really should be no vertical play in the steering wheel. I would check the steering column bolts under the dash and make sure they are tight, 14 and 15 here http://www.autoatlanta.com/porsche-p...section=403-05
Aside from that, you will have to pull the steering wheel and check the upper bushing in the steering column. I don't think it is a serviceable item. Also that the steering wheel nut is tight. Someone awhile back had a steering column issue and found that the upper bushing was not seated correctly. I'll try to find that thread because it had some good pictures.
Thank you for the info
I will check out the steering column bolts - going to take the steering wheel off tonight and check if the nut is tight
On my '99 986 (same steering column as 996), I noticed that when I pulled the telescoping wheel outwards, there was considerable play in the column and noise over bumps. I took the steering wheel and trim off and noticed that the plastic retaining clip that retains the upper steering column bushing had broken and come loose, allowing the bushing to slide on the column shaft and come out of its seat. To fix this, I tapped the bushing back into it's seat with a punch (it's rubber and easy to move), and drilled two small holes in the surrounding aluminum column and screwed in a couple of very small screws. The screw heads act to retain the bushing and keep it in its seat. From what I can tell Porsche does not sell the bushings themselves nor the plastic retainer clip so we need to use other resourceful approaches. Hope this helps.
The plastic retaining clip is the one in the center with the keepers that lock on the notches.
On my '99 986 (same steering column as 996), I noticed that when I pulled the telescoping wheel outwards, there was considerable play in the column and noise over bumps. I took the steering wheel and trim off and noticed that the plastic retaining clip that retains the upper steering column bushing had broken and come loose, allowing the bushing to slide on the column shaft and come out of its seat. To fix this, I tapped the bushing back into it's seat with a punch (it's rubber and easy to move), and drilled two small holes in the surrounding aluminum column and screwed in a couple of very small screws. The screw heads act to retain the bushing and keep it in its seat. From what I can tell Porsche does not sell the bushings themselves nor the plastic retainer clip so we need to use other resourceful approaches. Hope this helps.
The plastic retaining clip is the one in the center with the keepers that lock on the notches.
@brad-cam, looks like you pulled the column out, is that correct? Please share info on the technical steps you took to accomplish this fix. I'm a little unclear as to what you did, can't see the holes / screws you fixed it with. Regardless, thanks so much for sharing this info.
03-26-2017, 05:42 PM
X post - play in steering wheel
