[6spcab]

After some time and some fruitless searches on websites I finally found the cause for my wandering steering wheel and loose steering feel.



After inspecting all steering and suspension components the culprit is the steering rack bushing which is missing it's shoulders allowing the steering rack to move back and forth about 1/2" both ways. No wonder I was lacking the steering precision these cars are noted for.



I found a replacement unit at:



http://www.paragon-products.com/product_...cktack.htm



But really wanted to go factory rubber bushings so I suppose I will check with the dealer on Monday. Just an FYI in case someone runs into something similar.

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[flash]

i have the rack tack - love it - very nice improvement in steering feel



it does add feedback though, so if you are somebody who doesn't like a lot of input at the wheel, this is not for you



it really reduced the bump steer though - this sounds like a contradiction of the above, but if you think about it, rubber is like a spring - it compresses and then extends - the delrin doesn't - so, you only get the impact, and no return



note: the install instructions are not correct for a 968 - they are for a 944 - you really have to wrestle with the bushing to get it in there without moving the AC

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[Kim]

When you say wandering....



Lee - I have this problem in that the steering wheel most of the time is "straight" (ie 12:00). However, after a turn left, the wheel will stay aimed a bit left (say 11:30), only to eventually straighten out. Same thing turning right (about 12:30). I wonder if this is similar to what you noticed as I have not been able to solve this (new steering rack, recent alignment, good tires, etc).

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[6spcab]

[quote name='Kim' date='Mar 12 2006, 03:29 PM']When you say wandering....



Lee - I have this problem in that the steering wheel most of the time is "straight" (ie 12:00).  However, after a turn left, the wheel will stay aimed a bit left (say 11:30), only to eventually straighten out.  Same thing turning right (about 12:30).  I wonder if this is similar to what you noticed as I have not been able to solve this (new steering rack, recent alignment, good tires, etc).

[right][post="17256"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post][/right][/quote]



Yep, that is exactly what I have been experiencing. One day the steering wheel would point straight ahead, later on to the left and even over the right. Easy to tell as I just got underneath and noticed the shiny portion on the steering rack where it would slide back and forth on the bushing. used a screwdriver and was able to move the rack back and forth without much effort

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[flash]

there should be stops there to prevent that - if the bushing is too soggy or shot, then i suppose it could be slipping over them



a guy here locally had a similar problem, but it was not that bushing - the steering wheel could actually continue rotating in one direction, but not the other - it was very scarey to drive - his issue was a bit more serious, but i would have to go back to the shop to find out what it was - i didn't do the work on that one

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[rxter]

Found it. Thanks Bob. This sounds right. I'll have to get the car up in the air to find out for sure. Been tough to do that recently - way too busy. Anyway these delrin bushings don't rot right? My PS reservoir hose looked like Tyrell Biggs after the Tyson fight so I am sure that the bushing is shot. The rack was covered.

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[flash]

if you are installing the rack attack bushing, the instructions are WRONG - they are for a 944 - there is more crap in the way in the 968 and you will have to play with more stuff - still goes in fine, but not quite as simple as they said

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[rxter]

That's why I have Mike [img]style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.gif[/img]

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