mazdaverx7

there was another thread awhile back that made mention of this issue. the steering wheel in my 944 has play in an up and down motion. nothing that i can see is loose. the thread makes mention of a worn bushing on the steering shaft at the firewall as being the culprit. just wondering if anyone has had any experience with this issue and with what the thread identifies as part #21 being at fault in this picture:

mazdaverx7

no one??

FrenchToast

I would crawl under the dash and make sure the bolts holding it to the chassis are tight. Those are probably 13mm. Also take off the horn pad (pulls off, if you have the one in that diagram) and see if the nut holding the wheels on is tight. I think its a 22mm?

By the way, car looks nice in your avatar!

Be safe, have a good evening!

Good luck!

c5_pilot

A lot of times it is #16. Mine was this and it is the plastic bushing. You can get the same part at the VW dealer. I believe it fits a 82 Golf.

mazdaverx7

can the outer cover be pulled off of the column with the column still in the car?

mazdaverx7

anyone?

Hollywood D

Probably, I would imagine its just a few screws holding it on.

UPDATE: I just looked at the porsche PET and it shows two screws on the bottom which holds the plastic cover over the column. Assuming you have an early car.

mazdaverx7

yes, its an early 85. so two bolts that hold the out cover on around the steering shaft?

Hollywood D

Yea that's what it looks like. One screw on each side, on the bottom.

mazdaverx7

i'll have to check it out as soon as we get into the new house

luftpirate

If I remember correct you can get the bottom column cover off after removing the screws, but getting the top off without damaging the dash is damn near impossible without removing the wheel. I had to remove all this to replace an ignition switch and when I did I found out that plastic sleeve Part #14 was completely disintegrated. It was kind of a pain to put back together. I have a little vertical play in my wheel but barely enough to notice.

mazdaverx7

i will remove the steering wheel. i've had it off once before with no issues