steering wobble

[flat6buster]

I had a wobbly steering wheel couple of years ago/3000 miles ish.  Had the bushining replaced with a Rennline one from Design 911.  Now it is wobbly again but now with movement up and down AND side to side.  Is it possible it´s the bush again?  If it is I guess I will buy the metal version and see if that works.  Anything else I should check?  Please bear in mind I can wire a plug but not much more.  Nearest P car specialist I know of is 4 hours away so it´s either a local mechanic (not found a good one yet) or me.  Not sure I want to drive it far with the looseness - the wheel moves quite a bit.  Help much appreciated.

This is what the old one was replaced with, a nylon one.  It seems odd it would not last this long?

 

 

 

[mean in green]

It does read as though it could be a worn bush, pretty straightforward to get a closer look and confirm. 

[Phill]

As Simon’s says (sorry) take the wheel off and see if the bush is in bits. I fitted the metal one, quick job, easy peasy. Oh, and this is what happens when you buy from Design911.

[flat6buster]

Thank you guys.  27mm socket ordered, I can only see the metal sleeve available reasonably quickly from Design 911 so I´ll get that and another nylon one and see how we go!  Why do problems arise when your other car is also out of commission? Sod´s law.

[Phill]

25 minutes ago, flat6buster said:

Thank you guys.  27mm socket ordered, I can only see the metal sleeve available reasonably quickly from Design 911 so I´ll get that and another nylon one and see how we go!  Why do problems arise when your other car is also out of commission? Sod´s law.

Get this from Matt @Type911 

https://type911shop.co.uk/epages/de867ca1-377e-432e-84fd-bdccf2206766.sf/en_GB/?ObjectID=1251329

[flat6buster]

Thank you everyone.  Bushes on their way but having purchased the requisite 27mm socket I had a look today.  Happy days!  The nut was just loose.  Guess it has worked loose since the bush was replaced a couple years ago.  For once a cheap story for me!  I now have 2 spare bushes for the future 🙂

[GaryH]

7 minutes ago, flat6buster said:

I now have 2 spare bushes for the future 🙂

Think I'd rather have a bird in the hand myself 😆

[Phill]

23 minutes ago, flat6buster said:

 Happy days!  The nut was just loose.  Guess it has worked loose since the bush was replaced a couple years ago.  🙂

Blimey, living life on the edge………………. of a massive crash……

At least now you can check the nut periodically as you have the socket. Have you got a ratchet to put it on?

[flat6buster]

Yes but not a torque wrench.  I had a ratchet from the time a service engineer failed tom reattach one of the wheels properly on my forklift and a wheel fell off.  That was a fun exercise!  I will try to find a friendly local who has a torque wrench to tighten it ( I think to 40NM? ).  I am guessing torque wrenches under €75 are all crap?

[Phill]

You don’t need a torque wrench for the steering wheel nut. Just do it up tight.

[Strictly]

You should buy a torque wrench, every bolt on your 911 has a torque figure to tighten to, it stops fasteners being over stretched. I have snap on torque wrenches but any that can be recalibrated will be fine. If you will be working on your car beyond this steering wheel nut. Then treat yourself to one for Christmas.

If it's just a one off, then sure don't worry just do it tight

[Strictly]

P.s forgot to add, check you have the warpy washer under the nut, that will help with maintaining the torque. Given the history of untightening I would torque to spec then check again in a couple of months. If it continues buy a new nut and washer, and if it continues after that use loctite.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Strictly
Typo

[flat6buster]

Thank you @Strictly there was no warpy washer under the nut so I will purchase same and fit in New Year.  I appreciate your input, thank you.

[Strictly]

On 25/12/2024 at 11:37, flat6buster said:

Thank you @Strictly there was no warpy washer under the nut so I will purchase same and fit in New Year.  I appreciate your input, thank you.

Ah nice that Is almost certainly the reason. I guess we will find out.

[David Gander]

A couple of good torque wrenches is an essential piece of equipment for your toolbox as Strictly says, especially for the Fuchs wheels….all alloy wheels should be torqued, then there are the rocker cover nuts (small torque wrench needed). It’s good mechanical practice to torque up fasteners to specified values, preventing too loose or overstretched threads!……as for a loose nut holding the steering wheel on……….doesn’t bear thinking about the consequences!

[flat6buster]

Thank you @Strictly and @David Gander.  One question, how exactly does one recalibrate a torque wrench, and how does one know if it is recalibratable (probably not a word).

[Ian Comerford]

There are plenty of businesses around that will test your torque wrench for a price, often around £40.  I’m sure that not many amateur/hobby home mechanics actually do this but it is good practice.  Fully agree with the need to use one on many parts when doing maintenance as it ensures consistency of tightness which can be really important where seals are concerned. I use one on most brake and suspension parts, some engine and gearbox parts but not really on interior things.  Some people say just do it up tight, but people’s version of tight differs significantly and can be dangerous.

[Ian Comerford]

I forgot to add that if you know anyone that works in a decent sized engineering business they may have an Acratork which is a bench-mounted torque tester.  Maybe you could get a freebie test?

[tea boy]

Always leave your torque wrench unwound when you have finished with it and you will have more chance of it staying in calibration.

 

[Ian Comerford]

9 hours ago, tea boy said:

Always leave your torque wrench unwound when you have finished with it and you will have more chance of it staying in calibration.

 

Rule number one when using torque wrenches, thanks for the reminder TB

[tea boy]

8 hours ago, Ian Comerford said:

Rule number one when using torque wrenches, thanks for the reminder TB

My rule number one, when not using a torque wrench is never miss an opportunity for a wee wee. 😀

[flat6buster]

15 hours ago, tea boy said:

My rule number one, when not using a torque wrench is never miss an opportunity for a wee wee. 😀

I am sorry, I am dim. I don´t get it?

[tea boy]

1 hour ago, flat6buster said:

I am sorry, I am dim. I don´t get it?

Sorry

Rule number one is;

Never walk past a toilet without using it.

That way you are less likely to disgrace yourself.

The older you get the more pertinent the rule becomes.

[mean in green]

Range anxiety, in another form.

[World Citizen]

TB you need to fit a long range auxiliary tank

😬

 

Edited January 4, 2025 by World Citizen