shortyboy

well my father just finished installing a set of new tie rod assemblies on his 83 944 and its really really tight(like its got 12" wide front tires).i told my dad its probably needs to be broken in,as all new parts,but i guess he just needs a second opinion.any help would be appreciated.thanx in advance

RobbyK

Is it manual steering ?

Ryan Z

i wish i had that problem!

MTM

Yeah really, how can you complain about tight steering? Or do you mean that it requires too much effort?

seb928s

It's most likely a manual steering car since it's an 83. This should be number for tight steering isn't that was Porsches are well known for and there brakes.

shortyboy

its TOO tight,like you need huge muscles to make a turn.its like a power steering belt slipping and youre trying to make a turn.

Stan944

Even with manual steering, there is hardly any effort required if the speed is over ~10 mph. And you obviously know how it was before... Was it good before the procedure?
I also believe ALL 1983 came with manual steering, but you might want to confirm it, as the PO might have changed it.

Bryan

Did you twist the steering rack in its mounts while replacing the tie rods and now the u-joints in the steering shaft are binding?

New tie rods should NOT cause this.

Bryan

Ken

Power steering was an option in 83. After that it was standard.

shortyboy

please elaborate(maybe this is what my dad did wrong)

shortyboy

bump

83na944

I think Bryan's point was that when you replaced the tie rod ends, you could have inadvertently rotated the steering rack so that the steering shaft is no longer properly aligned and the universal joints are binding.

Mike C.

That's the only thing I can think of (83na944's suggestion). I beleive power steering was optional on the 83.

83na944

Well, it was Bryan's suggestion, I just re-stated it. My 83 is manual and steers easily. Last year I had a shop replace one control arm, both strut inserts, all of the bushings, both ball joints, all tie rod ends, and the strut bearings. Afterward, it took even less effort to steer the car. The tie rods shouldn't be stiff, but that is subjective.