toddk911

Well, in the corners it is pretty solid.

In the straights, aboe 50-60mph, it starts to feel real "floaty". Especially if I rake the steering wheel some back and forth.

Almost feels like if I do it a little more or was going a little fast it would go into like a car version of a bike "high speed wabble". Almost like a mild "hydroplane" feel. Again, only at highway speeds. I have not even gotten it up to higher speeds as it would seem to feel like the car would float right off the road.

Also seems to react to every bump or crease in the road. I.e. the steering wheel/wheels will grab to that instead of jsut sucking up the bump so to speak.

Work done:

Both new steering rack bushings. Driver side is Delrin.

Steering rack just changed.

Full 4 wheel alignment.

Now all matching Khumo tires.

Koni adjustable fron struts (7+ years old) but mech said they "seem" ok.
The only issue he noticed was one side the strut "bearing/bushing" on top seems stretched.

Full inspection under the car showed nothing loose or out of spec.

Any suggestions?

Just new shocks? Camber plates?? Strut tower brace???

sweanders

What are the alignment results (numbers)?

toddk911

I have the print out at home, but they got toe, camber & caster all pretty dead on, except the rear, as they said due to the age of some of the parts in the rear. But it was still with in the range it was
supposed to be.

I guess the first thought would be front shocks/struts are just going and so the rebound is not as stiff.

I also stiffend up the adjustment and that seemed to help some.

ian

How did the mechanic test the struts to say that they "seem" ok? After 7 yeras it might be time to order a new set of Koni Yellows, and while you are at it getting the new upper strut mounts wouldn't be a bad idea.

jacklet

within the range might be good enough for a buick not a porsche-the toe-in will havr that effect if set improperly have the alignment re-done and have it set to a closer tolerance not just the range might be time for a strut re-build how's the air-pressure in the tires

azmi951

Steering shaft or wheel bearings may be loose. How are the ball joints?
How confidant are you in the shops knowledge of the 944? They could just be checking boxes to mark OK.

toddk911

Oh sorry. Bearings done recenlty and tie rods/ends also.

I am thinking that the struts are due.

Can you order just the strut mounts? Would that include the strut bearing/bushing?

toddk911

Air pressure checked and ok. Usually run about 35 front and 38-40 rear, as mostly daily commute driving. And been running those pressures for a long time and this is a recent (last month or so) issue I have noticed.

ian

I just pulled the price for the late style (you do not want the early style) OEM upper strut mount, and they are quite expensive. Given the cost I would look at camber plates, or the KLA upper mounts.

toddk911

Gotcha. Yea, the camber mounts are pricey also.

Would the KLA strut brace make things a little better until I can get some new shocks? Also it is a part that would still be used even after the new struts are installed.

And I would jsut need the strut inserts correct?

toddk911

yes, I trust this shop 100%. Been going to them about 10+ years. The owner used to be partners with Alex Job, etc.

When they had the car, it was concluded that the steering rack (it was feeling floaty and had a click going from lock to lock) was the culprit and was also leaking.

Theory was that a tooth on the rack had broken in the middle, thus allowing some drifing in the rack. They said if not that then the strut bushing would be the next step.

How much effect could the rear shocks have on the feel of the front end? I guess if they are bad, when I rock the wheel back and forth the *** could be wobbling and than affecting the front end.

jyoon

make sure the lug nuts are tight.

toddk911

JY: Good point!!

I will double check those.

sweanders

Is toe set using a machine? Measure it yourself manually!

MHT

your description sounds like it's set slightly toe-out in the front, have them re-check the alignment. If the front toe is set out the car tends to follow any ruts or contour in the road. It could just be the tires, years ago I worked at Goodyear and i always thought that Camaros and Firebirds were evil handling cars, at that time they all came with Gatorbacks from the factory, later I drove several 911s with the same tires and they all felt the same as the Camaros. Those tires just didn't track well, they were very twitchy.