how hard is it to remove the steering shaft (the one with 2 joints)? Can I do it without removing the brake booster, or it's hopeless? thanks

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1983 Porsche 944

 

It can be done without taking the brake booster out. Its a pain in the neck, but not a terrible job. You will probably need a small cold chisel to wedge inbetween the pinch to get it out.

 

The easiest way is to remove the 4 bolts that hold the rack to the cross member first. This lets the rack drop down and hang from the tie rods. After that its just like Jon says... work at it. Droping the rack down a bit first will give you the room to make it a bit easier.

 

thanks guys, the hardest part would be disconnecting the upper joint, as I don't see enough room to work with both hands. From below of course. Travis, you're not suggesting to stick the arms from the steering rack end, are you? you mean to allow more movement in the joints to make it easier to disconnect the upper one?

 

Leave the arms alone. Just the 4 bolts that hold the rack to the cross member is what you would want to remove. After that, when you take the pinch connection to the rack off (lower connection) the rack will drop down about 2" and it will give you some extra movement in the shaft that will help with removing the upper joint.

 

Getting the bottom out first will allow a bit more flexability to work at the top one. I was able to change on the one on my friends early '85 from under the car (with the car on a lift). It took some flexability with the arms reaching up in there with the proper sized wrench and ratchet. The key is to have the steering shaft turned so that you can reach the bolts, then rotate it again so you can get the chisel in the pinch.

 

OK, I'll try. I've already ordered the shaft.