924Board.org

[Neil924]

Is there any room for play in the steering shaft? I have always had just a tiny bit.

Today I ran over a massive rock and it banged and smashed all the way back. {Blind turn, blind crest, in traffic, you do the math}

Anyway, it almost feels like there is more play now. {Maybe because I'm aware of what happened and I'm looking for somthing?}

Also, now in medium right hand turns my horn sounds {turning the wheel 1/5 to the right}. If I leave the wheel in that position, the horn will stay on. Also, if I man handle the wheel and put pressure on the left side of the steering wheel, the horn beeps. I disconnected the horn button and wire from the steering wheel and it still makes all of the beeps.

How much trouble am I in?

[Khal]

Mine had a buggered bearing in the shaft which gave it a bit of play. Felt pretty awful for a while there. Cheap to fix.

You may have crushed a bushing in a tie-rod end or something. Again, pretty cheap and easy to replace.

Unless the rock was big enough, and the impact hard enough, to actually bend the suspension I think you'll be OK.

As for the horn thing, sounds to me like you may have actually bent the steering wheel!
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'80 924 Turbo

[numbbers]

Check the wire that goes to the horn button. It is probably worn through, and shorting to ground.

The free play is probably caused by a steering shaft bearing. Try to move your steering wheel up and down. If it moves, it is the bearing. The bearings don't actually wear, but the plastic insert that goes in the center of the bearing disintergrates. New ones are less than $20. But, you have to pull the ignition lock to replace it.
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1980 924 Turbo

[Neil924]

Thanks guys. If you make a fist and place your other hand over it, you will be close to the size of the rock.

It passed under the centre of the car and boy did it sound bad!.

I'll check the car out, thanks again.