Universal joint coupling replacement

[Alexw]

Something else in the report from Hartech was both ends of the UJ coupling on the steering shaft thingy... what connects the rack to the wheel. I can't find any info on this though, do I replace the whole thing or can i just replace the worn parts? Plus what is involved, removal of rack? I'll be refurbing the calipers pretty soon + replacing discs + most of the front bushes + replacing the ARB so while I'm in there.... []

P.S I'm also thinking of using poly bushes as I'm replacing them. The car will mainly be used on the road but as I live ~14miles from Oulton Park I'll be there as often as I can afford! Can anyone give any advice on if this is a wise idea?

 

[Diver944]

A new shaft comes with the UJ's at both ends. I had one from Porsche Exeter a few years ago and it was around £80 IIRC I didn't fit it myself but the labour was very slight so I imagine the rack was just loosened and lowered a little to allow fitment.

My personal view on bushes for a road car is to replace with standard. It will be a world of difference compared to 20 year old items and will be far quieter than the track oriented materials like Delrin etc

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Steering column is 2 lengths, first wheel thru bulkhea, then length down to the rack. This bit has 2 u/js on it which include the attachments to the other bits. They do wear but are easy to change - I did mine a couple of weeks ago in half hour if that. Theres a pinch bolt on each u/j which locks the u/j on to the shaft.

Three points, bolt has to go cut out on shaft
remove both bolts before trying to slide 1 end off (ie to remove lower 1 first also slide top one on a bit to give more clearance)
make sure you have the correct length - there are at least 3 different ones (Manual, early power, later power) there maybe
others!

It makes a big difference!

If your doing the other stuff soon then do it altogether, but if not then its an easy job.

Hope this helps

Mike

 

[PSH]

This part is also available from Euro Car parts along with many others for our cars in fact , sometimes a fraction of the cost too, worth checking with them first.

Pete

 

[944 man]

I disagree. Buy the part from an OPC, who historically are far cheaper. Dont entertain a used part, whichll cost 75% of the new cost from an OPC and will be on its way to failing itself.

 

[Alexw]

Thanks for the quick help everyone! I was going to ring an OPC on monday to find out prices as I couldn't find it anywhere else.

Yeah I've never seen the point of replacing worn parts with slightly less worn parts... I'll try ECP and see what price they offer.

 

[Super_Marv]

OPCs aren't always cheaper.

If the part at Eurocarparts is a new genuine Porsche part and cheaper than an OPC can get it for you, buy it from Eurocarparts!

Out of interest, what did the Hartech report say about the Universal Joint? That there's play and movement in the joint? I'm looking into replacing the steering shaft on my car, as there's a little bit of a dead area, when travelling straight on a dual carrageway at about 60mph +

Normal purple powerflex bushes are fine. No harsher than normal rubber bushes. They shouldn't wear and tighten up things nicely. I've always found poly bushes actually make the car feel smoother, as polyurethane doesn't have the spring-back action of rubber.

 

[chrisg]

The steering shaft with the 2 x UJ's is available from Bert at Partsforporsche- easy to fit, simply remove the two heat shield at either end.

Then undo the four bolts holding the steering rack onto the front cross-member, you should also remove the steering rack from the uprights by cracking off the track rod ends.

Then simply undo the pinch bolts, wriggle the shaft around and replace.

Yours

Chris

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Dont discount secondhand parts - I paid £12 for mine and if it lasts another 15000 miles - thats 10 years of my Insurance Policies - I believe its a good saving and if it does go again and again its little trouble and expense.

These things are a balance, just saying worthwhile checking each avenue just as Marv says

Mike

 

[Alexw]

Cheers, I'd somehow managed to forget about partforporsche... The report says they are simply "worn and recommend replacement".

 

[PSH]

I disagree. Buy the part from an OPC, who historically are far cheaper. Dont entertain a used part, whichll cost 75% of the new cost from an OPC and will be on its way to failing itself.

Some of the parts from Euro Car parts are genuine parts even if they don't have Porsche on the box, remember Porsche doesn't make all it's parts, very few in fact most are made for them by other companies.... the clutch hose is such an item.. it's been some time now since I had to replace mine but the cost from euro was less than £40 , the cost from an OPC was well over £100 for the exact same item?

OPC's are dear , and with companies like Euro continuing to add to there inventory I'm sure more of us will be able to keep our cars running on a budget for many years to come .

Oh BTW... just bought a starter motor from Euro for £144, anyone want to guess how much they cost from Porsche?[8D]



Pete

 

[944 man]

Looks like you learnt something today then Pete.

 

[944 man]

ORIGINAL: Super_Marv
OPCs aren't always cheaper.

...and I havent said that they are Marv. But they were cheaper when I bought one last year.

 

[944 man]

Part number for all models: 94534702700. £73:59 Porsche GB list and £71 from Bert: both ex. VAT. After discount thatll be cheaper from an OPC, especially after youve allowed for postage.