Just wondering

[kitten1]

Hi Everybody

Kit has been in the garage having some work done so I popped in on the way home from work (snowing heavily here ).

George had always thought there was a slight kink in the steering and it turns out that the right hand side torsion bar is slightly bent. Apparently this is highly unusual and he has ordered one from Porsche reading. They have 8 in stock, haven't sold one since 1973 seemingly.

I've was just having a look through the parts catalogue, for something to do and I noticed (which I have often wondered) if my car should have the stickers on the indicator & window wiper stalks. I have seen these on other 911's in the past and and hence the "just wondering" post title. I do think that these stalks have been replaced in the past for whatever reason.

Thanks everybody & a happy 2016.

Margaret

[hot66]

kink in front torsion bar ? .. if so , don't just replace one but replace both as the original will have an element of 'sag' from ageing ( as we all do )


The stickers are were not fitted to all cars . From memory its only the US cars but happy to be corrected as it's not something I've ever looked into ( personally I don't like the nanny state stickers .. half the fun is forgotting what lever / switch etc does what )

[Cortina]

Hmm ... can't help with the stickers.

... but my engineering head can't get round "kink in steering" (I have NO idea what that means !) .. and a bent torsion bar.

The two are not linked (may be related) to each other. Steering (hopefully) points wheels in correct direction - torsion bars act as springs in effect - the splined ends of the torsion bars are essentially (radially) fixed. Bars should be dead straight - and yes , replace two sides if one is bent ... I cannot imagine how one bends a torsion bar when it is in it's correct "home".

Do reveal all please ,when (if) you find out more.

[kitten1]

Hi Cortina

This is the problem...I wish I had an engineering head

"Kink" is my interpretation of the problem. I had never noticed it in the steering, but then again had never driven an early 911 for any longer than about 20 minutes before I took ownership of Kit

George (mechanic) always thought on driving the car that turning the car he could feel a slight resistance (again my interpretation ) he had checked in the past a knuckle type thing? to see if there was enough grease?.

When I pick the car up next week I'm going to write down the issues properly. Hopefully I can relay it back to you guys properly.

Hi James

Well mention replacement of both sides...if I'm even talking about the right part

Thanks guys

Margaret

[hot66]

I don't think you're actually talking about the torsion Bars because as cortina says, they wouldn't effect the steering feel.

[210bhp]

Hi Margaret

Happy New Year to you and Tom. All the best for 2016.

You know what I have always observed about the front end of Kit. We have discussed it a couple of times I'm sure. This may well be linked with your current work with the torsion bar. It might be prudent to ask Geoarge to do a bit more investigation to see if there is a hidden bigger issue. I would ask for some geometry measurements while everything is unbolted and off the car. I'm sure a front end jig might be very useful here and someone on Ddk has one (maybe MT). Perhaps someone could come up with some diagonal and other measurements from the jig to check against what you have. Just a thought.

I'm thinking the stalk decals are a North American market thing as well.

Regards
Mike

[cobb911]

Hi Margaret

It is difficult to understand how the torsion bar could get kinked. It is held inside the tube of the A frame of the front suspension on the car. If it got bent while in place the A frame must be bent too. If it was bent at some point when it was taken out it would surely be difficult to reassemble. Anyway, I am sure if it is the George I think it is he knows what he is talking about. If you need a jig suitable for an early 911, Colin McNair at Performance Body Shop in Chapelhall has one.

Regards

[bjmullan]

I'm with Mike and Graeme on this one. Happy New Year.

[silverfox]

Happy New Year guys, I'm back at Bo'ness this year, leave Kit alone.
Paul

[kitten1]

Well as per usual...I was talking crap and got my parts wrong.

It was the intermediate steering shaft that was damaged, not the torsion bar

Just waiting on the new bulb kit arriving so I can see better driving in the dark gloomy wintry nights.

Thanks for everyones replies though

Margaret (dopey)

[crisc204]

check the 710 level as well....
I'm glad you've clarified the problem, a quick read through looked like you were being poorly treated!

The UJ in the steering shaft can be worn/tight and so on and this could cause the steering feel to be a bit odd.
That may be what your guy looked at before.

If you are at all concerned about the front end being true some simple measurements are poss with a tape measure and extra pair of hands to get an idea of what's what.

[Tp81]

Margaret hope you and Tom are well. My 993 is in with George and I happened to spot this beautiful car, I snapped a couple of pictures with my phone.

I am going to ask George if I can take some picture before he knocks down his old workshop, makes for a great picture especially with the early cars.

[kitten1]

Hi Tom

Just remind George to take Kit out of the garage before he starts messing about with the bulldozer

Thanks for the pictures Tom, hopefully see you soon.

Margaret

[Tp81]

[kitten1]

Tom

We will need to get George in a pair of flares...then you would really think the pictures were from the 70's

Need to get that car back, not driven her for about 8 weeks. Thats a first in over 3 years

Cheers

Margaret