jeeper31

How does one tighten up the steering? I drove a friends 944S and he steering was very tight and responsive. The instant I turned the wheel the car moved. Mine handles well but the steering is not so tight.

What can I do?

ritzblitz

I assume you can replace bushings and such.

The steering in my '83 is ultra tight without the power steering.

Lemming

Most likely bushings, including the two that hold the rack. But don't rule out tires and alignment, those two can make a world of difference.

jeeper31

What other bushings need to be replaced? How tought to replace the bushings that hold the rack?

austin944

Before I replaced the inner tie rods, I had pretty sloppy steering. They were worn pretty bad, I could move them in and out noticeably without actually turning the steering wheel.

Keithr726

The steering on my old 83 was great, except in small parking lots. When I bought my turbo I found out that my steering rack was brand new. At least my PO did something good.

jeeper31

Talked to some guys who tole me that it could just be the alignment.

pjburges

It certainly could be the alignment!

I have one of those lifetime alignment things at Firestone. It works out fine as long as I get a guy who knows how to do VW's - and I help him out and we get the 944 in pretty close.

The last guy who did it was a total dope and Im going to have to go back and do it again. The steering did not feel as tight in the center after he changed my alignment specs. It also felt like the rear end was on ice. Alignment values make a big difference.

Otherwise check your inner and outer tie-rod ends, the rack bushings, and for play in the intermediate shaft universals, or slop in the bearings that hold that shaft.

Tom R.

who'se rack are you holding?

dont touch it. dont touch it!! you saw my car two days ago. you know what i am dropping for nothing today. dont let it happen to you. leave it alone.

you have charlie arms. your front end is fine, and, speaking of front ends, if i remember correctly, the last time i saw your wife.......

jeeper31

But I have to touch it!

lvkid76

Ill tell ya.... switching out steering rack bushing from rubber to Polyurethane ones make a world of difference I have done that in almost every car I have had. Cheap and great upgrade.

jeeper31

How difficult is that to do?

Techno Duck

Get the delrin steering rack bushing that Paragon sells. Not necessarily hard to install but its a pain in the butt.

knfeparty

I put in 968 castor blocks (way easy to install) and new outer tie rod ends (not so much; were pretty stuck in there) in at the same time and it tightened my steering up a whole lot. Think it was mainly the tie rod ends, though, they were very worn.