I have noticed some radial play in the steering (about 1/8 in. total) no axial play. I can wiggle the wheel up, down and side to side but cannot push or pull. I disassembled the necessary stuff to expose the end of the steering shaft so I could have a look. According to the illustration in the manual, the steering shaft support (which is a split sleeve) apparently fits against the upper steering bearing and is captured by a circlip. The circlip is installed in a groove just behind the steering wheel spline fit. What I observed on my car was no steering support sleeve against the circlip. Is it possible for this sleeve to move far enough down the steering shaft (toward the firewall) so as to be hidden from view by the steering tube (the steering shaft is inside the tube). Or is this impossible due to the upper steering bearing fit. Also, how does this sleeve support the steering shaft? Does it fit between the bearing inner race and steering shaft?

 

Nope sounds like someone has dispensed with the Sleeve, should be very obvious.

http://www.928s4.com/project/photolibrary/bearing6.jpg

Get yourself a new sleeve and bearing (cheap) and you should be good to go.

Chris

 

Yes, it is indeed obvious. Thank you for the photo. When observing my steering shaft I could not tell if that shoulder (just inside the steering tube) was the edge of the bearing or if it was the shoulder of the sleeve. I've already got the sleeve -- any tips on the install. It appears that the sleeve is forced under the bearing inner race. Any special technique to getting it there -- or do I just carefully hammer it home.

 

No its not forced, just sits on top off, you did get a new bearing, right ?

Here is the rest of my page.

http://www.928s4.com/project/bearing.htm

Chris

 

The bearing will be coming soon. So, if the sleeve just sits there what does it support / what does the sleeve actually accomplish?

 

The center of the bearing is from memory a loose fit on the column, the sleeve takes up the slack, so maybe my earlier statement was not quite true ... need more coffee.

On the leading edge of the sleeve is a small (2mm ?) tapered end, this takes up any play.

Hope this helps.

Chris

 

I'm in the same boat!

Chris this item you show.



On my shark its about 9 inches down the steering shaft in the mid part where the metal turns into a Tee.

Here is a link to my mess.

steering mess.

I'm having troubles fixing this because I don't know what its supposed to look like when not broken. Also my steering wheel don't lock either. I also have alot of play up and down, left and right. What parts do I need to fix this? That bearing?

 

OK guys I am no expert on this, the manuals I seem to remember show a good blow up diagram of the whole assembly.

As hubb mentioned the top of the sleeve should be a couple of mm below the groove where the clip is located. The play is mentioned in the manuals too.

Tom 9" down ... yikes. On your top pic it looks like the bearing is missing .... is that right ?

Chris

 

What does the bearing look like?

The pic above I posted from your website is the only thing I can see the slipped down the shaft. Not fun to fix. I have the manuals and need to comb thru them more.

 

http://www.mailordercentral.com/928i...em=19&mitem=46

Although you will see the other side of it.

Chris

 

Ok that didn't work, lets try this ...

http://www.mailordercentral.com/928i...2834779100.JPG

 

Chris,

I can say that I don't appear to have one of those on my shark. Its that what keeps the steering shaft centered? Mine just sits down because its missing all these pieces.

Any idea why the steering lock is broke or where to dig around for that?

Thanks for your help.

 

FSM Vol. IV pg 48-30, pics maybe aren't the best and you can remove the old w/o the special tool.

Depending on how far gone the bearing is, you may be looking at no more than the outer race at this point, If your sleeve has slid down into the column, I think it's fair to say that that is the case.

Just did this a while back so here goes:

The bearing assembly is made up of 3 basic parts: outer race, inner race, and the cage & ball bearings.
You will be dealing with the bearing assembly, steering shaft, steering column, the sleeve seen above, a circlip that positions above sleeve.

First thing to do is get the bearing in hand so you'll have a better understanding of which parts left behind are/aren't the steering column.

Remove the circlip and sleeve from the shaft; sleeve may have fallen into the column and will need to be fished out. Inner bearing race and ***** may be down there too, fish 'em out if you like, I left whatever parts (besides the sleeve) down there-no noises or probs.

Remove outer race from steering column tube; it looks like it's part of the column; it's a brittle piece and easily removed by destructive methods.

Pound new bearing into top of column carefully so it goes in flat and straight; I used a piece of hardwood with a hole drilled for the shaft.

Slide sleeve over steering shaft, you'll notice the groove for the circlip isn't exposed. (BTW the sleeve loads the inner race against the rest of the bearing assembly-much like front wheel bearings work)

Intsall the steering wheel mounting nut on the shaft, clamp a big pair of Vise-Grips onto the nut.

With the circlip in-hand, give a mighty yank on the Vise-Grips, the shaft will pull slightly out of the column exposing the groove for the circlip; slide that baby in there before you other arm gets tired of pulling.

Remove Vise-Grips, put your car back together, go drive, post back here later about how silky-smooth your car turns now.

Usual diclaimer: This method was descibed for me by a fellow 928er, it worked flawlessly for both of us. If it doesn't work for you, no warranty on the above method is expessed or implied.

Tip: Might be handy to have a second set of hands near by.

 

Tom,

The pic Chris posted last is of the actual bearing assemble from the bottom, the widest part in the pic is the outer race which should still be stuck in the end of your column; at first glance it may look like a non-removable part of the column.

 

Yes, it is the upper bearing that keeps the shaft centered; I'd replace it 1st to see if the lock will start working. From the way you descibe, it sounds like your's is much worse than usual.