1969 911 Steering Column Bushing Replacement

[Gburner]

Does someone have a link/info on how to replace the steering column bearing on an early 911.
Is there a quick fix or am I stuck with taking the column apart and replacing the $190 bearing?

I was a little disappointed to find that this easy metal slip on replacement is not suitable for the early cars.
Link to 75 and later Steering Column Bushing Replacement.

thanks,
mg

[sundaypunch]

Do you still have the part on your current wheel? The splined shaft has considerable play which is eliminated by the spring & bushing. Sometimes a wheel gets replaced and the spring / bushing doesn't get transferred.

I just swapped wheels on my '69. This is the bushing you referenced in the Pelican article-


The one in my car was about 1/5 the length of this one but a similar design. The spring is about the same dia. I would think you could find a used spring / bearing from someone selling an old wheel.

Edit- I wasn't clear about installation. The bearing & spring are visible and come right out when you take the wheel off. There is no need to disassemble the column. If your wheel has play it's likely the bearing and/or spring are gone.

[TKO]

I'm confused...so does the bushing shown and referenced in the pelican aticle work or not work on the early cars?

Thanks,

[Gburner]

Thanks for the reply. I am not sure of the function of the spring?
My gripe is with slop in a radial fashion, not forward and backwards.

With the wheel and hub removed looking at the column just as your picture above my problem appears to be between the column shaft and the bearing. The bearing appears to be in good shape. Except there is a noticeable gap between the column shaft and the column bearing.
Perhaps there was a thin nylon bushing located between the bearing and the steering shaft that has disintegrated. This has created play in a radial fashion.

I have heard on some models it is possible to just install a second bearing over the first? Anyone ever try that?

[Gburner]

Originally posted by TKO
I'm confused...so does the bushing shown and referenced in the pelican aticle work or not work on the early cars?

Thanks,

I was told be Darren at Pelican Parts that the metal bushing shown in the picture is for 75 and later only. He was not aware of a bushing available for the early 911. Replacing the entire bearing may be the only fix for the early Porsches.

[sundaypunch]

GBurner, if you have the bushing and still have play I would bet that you don't have the spring installed. The bushing (sleeve) is very thin and doesn't look as if it's meant to fill the gap around the steering shaft. The spring appears to preload things and keep them solid.

The bushing shown in the post above is for later cars. The one in an early car looks like you cut the top 1/4 off the later one pictured above. The bushing & spring are items #6 and #7 in the diagram


I have no play in my wheel. I installed a Momo wheel and noticed that I had a ton of radial play. With the wheel removed the splined shaft moved around all over the place. I then noticed that the spring and bushing were stuck to the back of my stock wheel. I put them on the Momo and the wheel is rock solid now.

[danysony]

In the diagram Nr 6 is the Steering Shaft Bearing, Part Number: 91434771100,am I right?

[danysony]

GBurner, if you have the bushing and still have play I would bet that you don't have the spring installed. The bushing (sleeve) is very thin and doesn't look as if it's meant to fill the gap around the steering shaft. The spring appears to preload things and keep them solid.

The bushing shown in the post above is for later cars. The one in an early car looks like you cut the top 1/4 off the later one pictured above. The bushing & spring are items #6 and #7 in the diagram


I have no play in my wheel. I installed a Momo wheel and noticed that I had a ton of radial play. With the wheel removed the splined shaft moved around all over the place. I then noticed that the spring and bushing were stuck to the back of my stock wheel. I put them on the Momo and the wheel is rock solid now.

In the diagram Nr 6 is the Steering Shaft Bearing, Part Number: 91434771100,am I right?

[Bobs 67S]

Danysony,

Part numbers you are referring to have been revised over the years.
The early parts book for the cars started with these numbers for the very same parts:
There are three items below the turn signal cancellation ring (item 27 in the referenced diagram - it's screwed onto the steering wheel).

695.347.711.00 Steering shaft bearing compl.
This is a "loose balls" bearing it's made from sheet metal outer and inner tubes with rolled over edges that hold the loose ball bearings. With age the grease has turned in paste than rock hard - the little steel ball bearings may fall out when you remove this item. Have a magnet on a stick to retrieve them all.

It appears to be current part number of 914.347.711.00 At $271.00

695.347.725.00 Supporting ring for steering shaft bearing.
This key item is the short “L” shaped sheet metal circle that is held and pressed into the slight space between the bearing and steering shaft . This is the item everyone has had go look for with a steering wheel change out, This and the spring is grease stuck to the back of your removed wheel and may still be stuck to it.
It is in the Pelican Parts catalog as :

Stoddard # NLA 347.725.00. $24.95

Note the diagram you posted does not even show the 695.347.725.00 “L” shaped ring. It just shows the bushing and spring. Without the “L” ring the wheel will shimmy and shake and bang around up against the steering shaft.


The spring pushing the ring into the bearing - original part #
695.347.713.00 Pressure Spring in Steering shaft
Updated - it looks like 914.347.713.00. $3.50

Pelican has photos of all three of these parts go have a look and pick the items your missing.

Best of luck with your project.

[sundaypunch]

This is what your bushing / spring should look like-