New S2 Cab' Owner with questions!!!!

[Frazerb]

Hi,

I am the very proud owner of a new S2 Cabriolet - it's in amazing condition and only 57K with all paperwork etc. I do have a few quesitons however as there is no owners manual - can't believe it! Great to be a member again of PCGB - its been 10 years!!!

1. My car has the heated seat option - checked the label in the boot - and the seats certainly have the switches with the wheel in the middle but how the hell do they work? I have tried holding the rocker switch and tried having the wheel in all positions.
2. I have a movement of about 2mm to 3mm on the steering column. I notice then when I pull hard to reverse for example. The movement is also there if I deliberately push and pull on the wheel. Following the column from the steering wheel downwards, the movement happens at the point where the joint goes through to the engine. This joint was very oily and seems to have three holes in it on the flange but I could not se it atached to anything. Any knowledge of the steering column would be great.

As you will find out I am fussy about my car - this is my second porsche and having set out to buy another 911sc I am so delighted I was tempted by this car. I do love it. So any help appreciated and hopefully I will meet some of you over the next few years.

Thanks..Fraz'

 

[sawood12]

There is a rod with two U/J's at each end that turn the straight part of the steering column nearly through 90 degrees down to the rack. You can see this link in the engine bay. The top U/J should have an aluminium heat shield around it as it is right next to the exhaust manifold and the rod goes down at an angle to the bottom of the engine at the rear of the block to the other U/J that turns it into the rack. The problem with these U/J's is that they wear and play develops. I noticed this when I got steering wheel judder for the first 10 mins or so of my journey and then it would tail off and be perfectly fine for the rest of the journey. What was happening here was that when cold there was play in the U/J's and as the heat from the exhaust heated the rod it expanded and lengthened and took the play out of the U/J's. Your problem could be this. It's not a big job to have the rod replaced (about an hours labour) but the rod can be expensive from the OPC. I was lucky and got mine in one of the many sales OPC's sometimes have on selected parts. I think I got mine for about £40, but the usual price is around £100 if I recall correctly. Don't be tempted to buy second hand. If you do the chances are that one will be worn also, and if it isn't it'll be close to being worn. Try Exeter OPC and tell them your a PCGB member.

Also another issue i've read about is the actual steering column bearings can wear. When this happens you will be able to feel play radially in the steering wheel and not fore and aft.

 

[944cabby]

I changed the steering shaft quite early on after buying mine.There was a lot of play in the top U Joint and the car felt like it was "wandering" slightly on the straight.Quite unnerving.

 

[pauljmcnulty]

£54 at German and Sweedish last year.....[&:]

 

[cdickinson]

mine was replaced last year, seems a common thing....

 

[Diver944]

Hi Frazer, congrats on the new car []

I've never had the heated seats but my manual states that you switch it on by pressing the upper half of the rocker switch and off by pressing the lower part. The knurled knob on the switch is rotated upwards to increase heat and downwards to lower it.

If neither seat works then it would make me think that there is something common to both that is malfunctioning. Have you checked the fusebox under the bonnet above the glovebox? Failing that I know that the normal electrics have a socket under the seat, maybe both of yours are unplugged? [&:]