black944 turbo

Hi all, I have asked this before, but I want to get some more feel out the steering on my car. I have 968 caster blocks, new upper strut mounts, and new sway bar bushings. All of the components seem to be tight and in good shape but the car has never had much steering feel. I saw on someone elses post that the link between the rack can go bad and cause this. Is this the U-Joint and how do I go about checking this? Also any other sugestions are welcome. I will not put a manual rack in it. Thanks for the help, Richard

hosrom_951

Well, i know that once those U-bushings get worn, while turning, the rack could move, physically not internally.

As explained here on Paragon, but i never used them
http://www.paragon-products.com/prod...4_racktack.htm

black944 turbo

Thanks, mine seems to be tight. I may look into that. Any other sugestions? How bout the U-joint that runs from the steering column to the rack?

potent951turbo

I have read the rubber bushings that hold the steering rack onto the cross member can go bad and cause steering problems. I think Karl (Porschedoc) said he was going to try and replace the ones on his 951(my old car) to fix the weak steering feel in it.

black944 turbo

Anything else to look for, also how do I go about checking the bushings properly?

potent951turbo

I have seen those bushings in numerous stages of healther on different 944's. They usually look like the sway bar bushings, either they are in pretty good shape visually or the are all eaten up from power steering fluid dripping on them through out the years.

OriginalSterm

the u-joint on the steering shaft can get worn and you'll be able to move the wheel slightly left or right and not move the wheels. kind of a "chuck" if you know what i mean.

car_slave

Make sure the wheel bearings are adjusted properly. If you really want to find the problem, put the car on ramps, then have an assistant move the steering wheel back and forth while you inspect from below the car. I put a nylon bushing from Paragon on my rack.

black944 turbo

car slave, how did you like the bushing? I am probably going to have someone help me with it next weekend to see if I can find anything. Thanks for the help.

car_slave

Good. My bushings had a lot of play so it made a big difference to the overall steering feel. I also bought a new set of the rubber mounts because you can only get one upgraded mount, which is the one where all the lateral play comes from. Think I got those from 944online. Another trick is to shim the rubber mounts with a strip of sheet aluminum. You can buy a nice sheet of aluminum from Home Depot/Lowes in the heating and cooling department.

jerome951

Also make sure your tie rod ends are in good shape. They're relatively inexpensive and easy to replace though you need an alignment when you're done.

black944 turbo

Is there a good way of testing the tie rods, other than the old tug on the wheel test?

black944 turbo

I went under the car tonight. The steering rack bushing looks great, but the steering rack does move a little bit. Is this normal? Also, I am hering a clunking noise from the left front when under the car, seems like the inner tie rod? If I put my hand on the tie rod I can feel it a bit, but I can not replicate it unless someone is moving the wheel inside. Does that sound right?