Vague Steering

[Highwayman]

Just had an inspection of my recently acquired 944 S2 by JMG and they have advised that there is excessive play in the steering that requires attention (amongst other things [8|]). I have to say that I suspected as much, as the car wanders rather a lot under heavy braking, but they have been able to pinpoint the problems to steering shaft play and worn rear mounts on the wishbones.

Now, it's possible to purchase both the shaft and the mounts quite easily from various retailers, but how easy are they to fit? I have had a look at Clark's Garage website, but they don't seem to cover these specific issues, so I'm wondering whether there is anywhere else that I can get instructions on fitting. Also, how sensible is it to consider fitting the wishbone mount in isolation, rather than replacing all of the bushes (probably for poly ones) at the same time?

Any advice gratefully received, as I'd prefer to do the work myself rather than having to pay for labour []...

Phil

 

[Dave S]

Ive got a similar thing on my 968. Rear caster bushes (on the back of the wishbones) are knackered.
My car is booked in with Chris at Center Gravity to get them, and the wishbones done as I want the suspension set up as well.
No point doing a setup on half new, half old (read nearly knackered) bushes...
From a look when the car was up on his ramp it should be fairly trivial to change the rear bush/block, but then you need to get the caster setup properly I imagine, otherwise the steering will presumably be a nightmare unless you get lucky when you bolt it on.

hth

Dave

 

[zcacogp]

Rear wishbone mounts wouldn't be difficult for even my 7-year-old niece to do. They are very very simple. BUT, as has been said, you should have the geo set up afterwards, which is a professional-only job.

The steering shaft isn't meant to be difficult either, but I don't know as I have never done it.

If you are looking at having a geo done, do all the replacements before taking it in.


Oli.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Castor mount are 2 bolts each - very straightforward.
Steering shaft is also easy once you have taken the engine underway off
just undo both crime bolts, then slide 1end back,and the other should come off.

 

[Super_Marv]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

Castor mount are 2 bolts each - very straightforward.

3 bolts, surely? []

But yes, the castor mounts are pretty easy to change over. Hartech sell the caster bushes at pretty much half the price of the OEM items and have rubber round the entire circumference of the bush.

 

[Highwayman]

Thanks guys []. I think I'll have a cash at these myself then [].

Phil

 

[ChasR]

Caster bushes as said are simple to change.

For me to change the caster bushes on my S2, it took me less than an hour (50 mins I think) from getting the jack out to putting the jack and tools away.

 

[zcacogp]

"Crime bolts"?

"Having a cash at these"?

What's happening to this thread? Kray twins signed up (posthumously) as new members? [:'(]


Oli.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

My car - 1983 - has 1 bolt either side of the U bracket are the later ones different?

 

[Hilux]

Castor mount are 2 bolts each - very straightforward.

Yup, but.....................

The bolts face up. If they come loose they will drop out.

Therefore, remove existing, check, clean threads, run (old, not new) tapper through existing captive threads to clean them, use thread lock and torque correctly, check after a few miles and retorque as necessary. Ideally use new bolts.

 

[Mike_Pollock]

Fully agree Paul - just answering Super Marv
Cheers

 

[Super_Marv]

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

My car - 1983 - has 1 bolt either side of the U bracket are the later ones different?

Two bolts going up vertically, one nut to undo horizontally..so technically not quite 3 bolts, but you have to release the nut before the mounts will come off:

Mark the nut and the bolts with a paint pen, once you've fully tightened them up, so you can easilly visually observe if they've moved.

 

[chrisg]

Reference changing the steering shaft, my experience and advice would be to release the four bolts that hold the steering rack onto the front cross member. This provides sufficient 'wriggle' room to remove the shaft at the bottom and the top - without this room it's very difficult to change the shaft. I imagine it's much easier to remove/change on an S2 than an turbo as less heat shields,

Chris

 

[Mike_Pollock]

ORIGINAL: Super_Marv

ORIGINAL: A9XXC

My car - 1983 - has 1 bolt either side of the U bracket are the later ones different?

Two bolts going up vertically, one nut to undo horizontally..so technically not quite 3 bolts, but you have to release the nut before the mounts will come off:

Mark the nut and the bolts with a paint pen, once you've fully tightened them up, so you can easilly visually observe if they've moved.

So they are different!
Early wishbones just push into bush, they then sieze in and can be easier to get new wishbone - 20 quid!
Cheers