924Board.org

[bureau13]

Everything seems fine at slower speeds, but up around 60mph (and it varies a bit with speed, a little faster or slower can make it better) I get an alarming vibration in the steering wheel, to the point where it feels like the whole shaft may be rattling. I've replaced tie rods (had a bad one) and tires, but it's actually worse now. With the car in the air, the steering rack linkages, etc seem solid, the wheels do not move around when you try to shake them, etc.

I'm wondering if I have a bad steering shaft universal? Searching around, it sounds like this is a problem for a few people, and it's not clear to me what my options are. I'm hesitant to buy a used one, and I have read mixed messages on whether they can be successfully rebuilt, etc.

Car is a LHD '82 Turbo.
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1982 931
1986.5 Silver 928S
2007 Hummer H3 (Daily Driver)

Past lives (I miss them all):
2004 RX-8 (Wrecked)
1993 RX-7 (Sold)
1987 RX-7 Turbo II (Sold)
1985 RX-7 GSL (Stolen)

[Eliza]

For what it's worth...

A few seasons ago, I had my winter wheels put on at my workshop ( they're stored there, my garage is overflowing with other stuff )

When I turned on the motorway and put my foot down I experienced just that, a horrifying, disquieting steering wheel movement at around 100 km/h ( which is 60 m/h ). It scared the living daylights out of me!

I got off at the next exit and nursed the car home. When I put her away I noticed the 19mm socket the mechanic had forgotten to take off after tightening the wheel bolts down . That imbalance was enough to make the car undriveable at that speed.

So before assuming anything, maybe check you wheel(s) or swap them to see if that makes a change? Just sayin'...

Eliza
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1985 924 NA RoW
1981 931 S2 RoW

[bureau13]

For what it's worth, I was sure it was something like that, so I had the wheels balanced when I replaced the tires, and it made no difference. I would think that an out-of-balance wheel, even if it was too bad to be corrected by the little weights, would at least be obvious to the shop when they tried?

I'm assuming a level of competence here which may or may not be justified, but I've got tires and had wheels balanced there before with no issues...

[Eliza]

Still, the easiest way to rule out an imbalance would be a quick swap front to back, and a test drive... before you suspect someting more sinister.
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1985 924 NA RoW
1981 931 S2 RoW

[bureau13]

That is certainly true. I don't know but it had not occurred to me that I could just swap them

[Nobbi]

Did you checked the front wheel bearing adjustment? Re-tighten helps a lot.
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NA 924 - april/1977- 4-speed-audi gearbox.
500.000 km with fun.....and new toy:Porsche 944 S2 Cabriolet.Other car Daimler c-class cabby,brandnew..Plus : DEUTZ 4005 tractor Built 1969

[bureau13]

I'm not sure how to do that. I did the "try to move the wheel in various different axes" and at least after the tie rods were replaced, there was no more movement.

[ChrisMadge]

Steering shaft can be reconditioned with replacement UJ. I have just had mine done by a company in the UK.
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1984 MY 924 2.0 NA
1975 MG Midget

[bureau13]

Today I rotated the wheels front and back, and unfortunately, I still have the vibration at speed. I suspect that steering shaft.

I'm definitely interested in hearing more about hot that UJ reconditioning goes...I'll have to try to find someone in the US to do that.
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-----------------------------------------
1982 931
1986.5 Silver 928S
2007 Hummer H3 (Daily Driver)

Past lives (I miss them all):
2004 RX-8 (Wrecked)
1993 RX-7 (Sold)
1987 RX-7 Turbo II (Sold)
1985 RX-7 GSL (Stolen)

[MikeJinCO]

If the intermediate shaft needs replacement, Martin at The Machine Shop in Colorado Springs can make new ones. Cost I believe about $200. He found the manufacturer of the U-joints in Germany and bought a bunch, then uses a 4130 shaft. I have one on my track car after the one on my street car went bad, He can make them for 924/44/68.
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Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)

[bureau13]

That's great info! Anyone know a good definitive test for this problem? I haven't been able to recreate any issues when I'm not at highway speeds.

[MikeJinCO]

If you haven't checked the wheel bearings do that first. Jack the car up and wobble the wheels, if it is any more than minimal adjustment is probably needed. Directions in Haynes or at Clarks Garage.com.
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Mike


'67 MG Midget Dp
'71 Ocelot Dsr Kawasaki 1000(under rebuild)

[bureau13]

I did perform that test, there wasn't much movement at all really.

[kondzi]

Wheel wobble can be caused by a lot of things.
For the steering shaft UJ, grab by hand the UJ and ask someone to move steering wheel slightly left-right-left-right... if there is movement, you need to replace UJ in the shaft. I doubt though it would cause wheel wobble. Mine needs replacement as well and I have not noticed it - wheel alignement (toe in) makes your wheel drive straight forward, at least it should (if not, do wheel alignement, or just do it anyway).
The other thing is brakes, slight friction, slightly bent discs could cause wheel wobbling as well. When you're doing 60 mph and wheels wobble, press brake gently and see if it changes.
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Konrad
'89 951 US
'88 Mustang 5.0 LX Convertible (factory specs)
'84 911 Carrera 3.2 RoW (factory specs)
'81 931 RoW (TBD)
'81 Ford Capri 2.8i (factory specs)
'79 Ford Capri 2.9 (heavily modded)

[Fasteddie313]

Rear control arm bushings was the fix for me..

Could be all sorts of things, but those are pretty cheap and easy..
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80 Turbo - Slightly Modified