924Board.org

[Mike924]

I wonder if any of you guys can help me.

The steering in my 924 feels a bit vauge to me around the centre position and then starts to get heavier towards the ends and it's really heavy in the parking stakes. Is this normal? I've got aftermarket alloys fitted,but I'm not convinced the offsets are anywhere near right. Could this explain it?

I thought of adjusting the play in the rack, but instead of a lock nut around the pressure adjusting screw, there is just an INCREDIBLY stiff adjuster. How are you supposed to feel when the screw is just touching the back of the rack when it takes almost all my strength just to turn the adjuster?
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1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[Lizard]

the fact that you have aftermarket rims isnt going to affect this, the only thing that would affect this is the width of the tyre itself, the wider the contact surface the more tire you move with your arms, I currently run 225/50R16 on my front and have no issues turning my steering wheel though I do have the origonal large steering wheel.

the adjuster bolt which applies pressure onto the back side of the rack I thought was more of a lock, used when the car is being given a wheel alignment the shop would use this to lock the rack in its center position so it cannot move and then they would adjust the tie rods for the best alignment.

you could take that bolt right out however though and clean the threads so it threads in easier.
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3 928s,

[augidog]

Pull the boots back and grease the rack.
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1978 924 95 mile daily driver.
Audi TB/POR174M/High Flow Cat/2.25" exhaust
I knew that positive thinking thing wouldn't work.

[John Brown]

The hole on the underside of the rack with the rubber plug, or where the rubber plug used to be, is threaded. Install a 10mm grease fitting and pump the rack full of old fashioned grease with molly additive. Leave the grease nipple in to keep dirt out. Take 2 apsirin, drive around for a week and see if it gets better.

The hole in use is intended for a bolt to hold the rack centered for steering adjustment.
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John
80 931 - #931 44Cup
99 Escalade - tows track cars
gone but not forgotten: original 924.org car - 82

[Mike924]

Thanks, guys.

I did put a bit of grease in the rack and I must admit it did make things a bit better. Perhaps I need to put more in (it was probably less than an ounce that went in).

Just for information I'm running on 195/50/15 tyres and a 13" after-market steering wheel. (I'm going to move up to a 14" wheel as soon as I can afford it )

The stiff bolt I was referring to is not the one in the centraliser hole. It's right at the 'back' of the rack in line with the splined input shaft (but in the other side of the rack). It's to control how tightly the rack and pinion mesh with each other - too tight and the rack wears, too loose and you get backlash in the steering. It works by applying pressure to the back (i.e. smooth side) of the rack forcing it in contact with the pinion teeth.

I haven't looked at it too closely, but I think my rack may be way off centre. With the steering wheel in the straight ahead position, the gap between the cup on the tie bar and the rack body (at least on one side I had a look at) was nowhere near the 68 mm stated in the Haynes manual. That, and the fact that the turning circle to the right is far tighter than going left!
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[garthfan]

This may sound like a stupid question, but are you sure your power steering is working? I disconnected my pump earlier this year to run with manual steering (I just like the feel better) and what you're describing sounds exactly like how my steering feels every day. I'm just used to it because I know the reason for it.
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1987 924S - Was a daily driver...now it's GONE! *sniff*
1986 944 N/A Guards Red
1996 VW Jetta Grocery-Getter
1995 Saab 900S Winter-Driving-Feeling-of-Security-Vehicle

[Lizard]

this car is a 924 not a 924S which has no power steering.
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3 928s,

[garthfan]

So none of the 924's other than the "S" had power steering?

Learn something new every day.
_________________
1987 924S - Was a daily driver...now it's GONE! *sniff*
1986 944 N/A Guards Red
1996 VW Jetta Grocery-Getter
1995 Saab 900S Winter-Driving-Feeling-of-Security-Vehicle

[Smoothie]

[Viking]

If I'm not mistaken, the 1985 should have powersteering, even if it's not a 924S.

(As a small reminder, Porsche did continue to add things to the 924 until they cut production in 1985 when they introduced the 924S. In 1985 they gave the 924 heated nozzles for windshieldwiper fluid and powersteering.)

[wdb]

and if all else fails , take the car to an alignment shop to have a look. a previous owner may have hit a curb or somehow bent or moved your steering parts/wheel assembly .

on my ford ,when turning to the left , the steering wheel feels like its a chopper (bike with extended front end) and kinda falls to the lock , but to the right it resist turning a little .when I go over a bump , the right wheel turns out a little and pulls corner of the car down slightly , and theres a thunk noise when I hit the brakes , it takes a few seconds for the load to move whatever it is that makes the noise . I've bought new struts,lower control arms,tie rod ends , need to buy new axles (CV joints). then I'll rebiuld the front end and have it aligned . I'm replacing everything so I only have to do it once ! I've had many cars keep me busy ,replacing 1 part at a time . I've learned , when ever possible ,do it right , do it once ,and be done with it .

[MALUKIA3]

Try spraying WD-40 or squirting oil on the u-joints n the steering shaft. There are 2 under the hood, one close to the fire wall, the other nearer the rack.

When my car sits, particularly after a rain or after I've detailed the engine, I get the same symptoms.

Don

[Paul]

[Mike924]

My car never has had power steering - so I don't think it can be anything to do with that!

By way of an update - I fitted a spare steering wheel to the car and it made a big difference. It is still on the heavy side at the extremes of lock, but it has evened out the feel; so that it it 'loads up' a bit more progressively. It's very strange, because the diameter of the new wheel is less than half an inch larger than the old one!

My plan now is to fit a 14" wheel - I don't know how this compares with the original wheel?

Next step will be to remove the rack from the car, give it a good clean up, grease it thoroughly and put it all back the way the Haynes manual say to.
Only it's starting to get cold here...
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org

[Mike924]

Oh - I forgot to mention: it's got an evil pull to the left.
_________________
1985 Porsche 924 'Lux', Kalahari Beige (my ex)
1993 Porsche 968 Coupe, Midnight Blue, 6 spd

'There is no substitute for a little grease under your fingernails.' - Chrenan, 924board.org