924Board.org

[PORSCHEV]

Ok...the steering shaft u joints are getting pretty sloppy on my 924 (Neil's old car) and I too have to change it/rebuild it. I also forgot how much road feedback these 924's give out with manual steering. My plans are to integrate some technology that other car makers use on steering shafts. A vibration damper.


I plan to cut the center out of the porsche steering shaft and weld in this damper from a trans-am. I'll document the process and report on the results/road feedback.
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1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

[morghen]

i dont know if its such a good ideea........tho i know its more confortable.
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Supercharger and EFI kits
https://www.the924.com

[RC]

Not reccommended.
Welding of high carbon steel alloys requires specialised heat treatment pre and post welding to reduce the possibility of potential fatigue related cracking and ultimate failure.
Even auto manufacturers utilising modern technoligies are reluctent to weld any suspension, braking or especially steering component.
Following the evidence from numerous coronial enquiries the aftermarket welding of any critical steering component contravenes our ADR (Australian Design Rules), and we seem to be years behind the rest of the world!

Roger

[PORSCHEV]

Now that you mention it ...I did closely inspect the trans-am steering shaft and there is no place on the shaft that it is welded. All sections either spline together, bolt together or slide togther(small square into larger square).

So there must be some logic in what your saying.

I guess I'll just have to get used to driving a go kart...because it reminds me of driving my sons Go Kart.

I read in the tech section that swapping in the 951 strut tops improves road feedback alot...anyone try that upgrade?
_________________
1976 924
5 lug conversion, 17'C2 wheels,custom body work,327 vette engine.

1978-#53 "D" track racer.

[RC]

PORCHEV, your son is indeed fortunate for the opportunity to appreciate that all vehicles don`t handle the same in reality as they do on the playstation.
For me personally, the direct steering and road feel are one of the bonuses of driving a 924 at speed.
However any play (slop) is undesirable and unsafe.
In my quest for an economical alternative to a new shaft from Porsche I approached a drive-shaft reconditioner and 2 bearing suppliers who all advised purchasing a new shaft.
Taking the haynes downstairs to the garage and comparing the pix of the LHD setup confirmed that the LHD LOOKS like a mirror reverse of the RHD rack with similar dimensions. The engine bay wiring loom exits from the position of the lower steering shaft bearing on LHD vehicles. It appears to be the same relative opposite position as the RHD.
Therefore I am assuming that there is a high possibility the shafts are interchangable, especially considering Porsche`s prefered use of all VW parts where available.
My shaft is 16.5" long overall. Even if only for my own curiousity, I am interested in establishing the OAL of the left hand drive version.

Roger

[morghen]

http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=21865
_________________
Supercharger and EFI kits
https://www.the924.com

[Mike924]