New 944 S2... questions

[AlexJReid]

Recently bought a 944 S2, definitely a case of heart ruling head. NOT the way to buy a Porsche, clearly.

Anyway. Engine wise it seems great. Suspension seems nice and tight. Car looks good.

Going to take it to a trusted local garage for an honest assessment. I've noticed the following and would be grateful for any input on the below issues.

1) Steering is ridiculously heavy for a car with power steering. PAS fluid level looks OK.
It's running 996 17" wheels and a smaller (Porsche) steering wheel, which probably contributes, but parking it is quite ridiculous. The PAS pump seems noisy, although I'm not familiar with what they're meant to sound like. Trying to move the steering wheel with the engine off is IMPOSSIBLE unless you're The Hulk so the PAS is operational, just maybe not at full efficiency?

2) Despite steering being heavy into a turn and parking, it's extremely light and vague in the straight ahead position. Front wheel bearings (particularly on one side) have play so guessing this is the cause?

3) Shudder through steering wheel above 50, not sure this is just wheel balance related.

4) Disappointing brakes despite callipers looking very new/clean and pads/discs looking recent. Looking through the history it looks as if el cheapo discs and pads have been fitted recently.

5) Accelerator pedal a bit stiff/notchy - tried greasing the cable slightly, but didn't really make much difference.

Many thanks for any info!

Alex

[Nurburgsingh]

Sounds to me like your tyres are shagged... How old are the tyres? I had the same thing when I bought my S2 but also had the issue on my old mk1 MR2. New set of boots fixed it.

[bertelli_1]

The 17" wheels (with wide tyres?) and a small steering wheel will contribute as you say. However it does sound like your pas pump needs a rebuild if its noisy.

Play at the front is often misdiagnosed as bearings when the front shocks have play so double check. Get the alignment checked.

Brakes should be good, you could be right about the cheap parts, calipers often cause problems due to corrosion. There is lots of info on tipec.

A sticky throttle is usually caused by a bent floorpan - there is a jacking point right under the pedal BUT it isnt really a jacking point. They should be jacked up on the chassis rails. just beat the floor back down with a hammer & block of wood.

[thegoose]

Rather than trying "a trusted local garage" I'd get a decent Porsche specialist that knows these cars well to look over it for you. They will know what to look for, know how it's rectified and what it might cost, and also will know what is normal and what doesn't need immediate attention. Well worth an hour's labour and stand under it on the ramp whilst they go through and explain it to you.

Tell us where you are if you'd like suggestions of who to use.

[AlexJReid]

Thanks all. Tyres replaced yesterday, better steering feel but made the vibration much worse at speed. Probably just balance even though the machine said 0.

Getting used to the steering. Really is like a non PAS car!

Agree it's wise to get a specialist who knows what's normal and what isn't.
I am in Newcastle, so any recommendations would be appreciated. Also tyre places that can actually balance a wheel properly in the area would be great!

Alex

[nickson]

steering shouldnt be mega heavy, i have an s2 and a turbo and both have perfectly light steering even when stationary!

check the wheels dont have any damage which could be causing wheel shake even if they are balenced, such as a slight bend where they have been curbed

rear shocks can also be worn and cause some issues with rear tyre wear and shake, when i picked my s2 up it felt like a wheel bearing had gone but it was actually just strange rear tyre wear due to worn shocks

good luck getting it all sorted.

[pikeyboy]

Vague steering could be the column UJ.

Poor brakes could be plate lift, plenty of info on this.

[Dalto123]

The only one I can really offer a response to is the power steering. Dont expect much. When dad had his S2 Cab it was heavy, not a car you would like to use in traffic, especially with the heavy clutch! But it does get lighter when you get up to speed. As for the wheels, get them alligned and balanced, that could be the solution? Probably the completely wrong thing, Im no mechanic!

[Winder]

I have a 968, so broadly the same car as yours, OP and the steering really shouldn't feel unassisted, parking isn't as light as in a modern family car but it's easy enough.

[Winder]

I have a 968, so broadly the same car as yours, OP and the steering really shouldn't feel unassisted, parking isn't as light as in a modern family car but it's easy enough.

[pauljmcnulty]

nickson said:

steering shouldnt be mega heavy, i have an s2 and a turbo and both have perfectly light steering even when stationary!

Not mega-heavy, but surprisingly heavy compared with many modern cars. Get out of a new-ish Legacy and then in to the S2 and tell me the steering doesn't feel heavy by comparison! My better half doesn't believe the S2 has PAS.

All 944s are incredibly sensitive to set-up. You're on non-standard wheels, 17s are perfectly OK but will exaggerate any other faults. I'd get any suspension issues fixed, then a proper alignment.

[5lab]

having just bought a 944 s2 as well (which one did you buy??) I also found the steering incredibly heavy when I first got in it - however now i've had it for a couple of weeks, I feel used to it and it doesn't feel too bad. I suspect it might be a 'they all do that' kinda thing

[AlexJReid]

Have to say, I don't know if I have just got used to it or as the car has been used a lot more (it had only done 1000 miles since Sept) but it doesn't seem as bad anymore. Dare I say it, the weight is actually nice in the corners. Will take my Eunos Roadster out tomorrow and probably crash it

Reduced the pressures down to 32 all round, light steering in centre position seems marginally better too. What do you run on 944s?

[ashway]

AlexJReid said:

Agree it's wise to get a specialist who knows what's normal and what isn't.
I am in Newcastle, so any recommendations would be appreciated. Also tyre places that can actually balance a wheel properly in the area would be great!

Alex

Tom Ferguson, behind gateshead stadium knows 944's

Also, PCGB member has a tyre centre at bottom of Whickham bank, ask for Greg the owner

Grande Tyres NE16 3DA
tel [phone]

[supersport]

AlexJReid said:

Have to say, I don't know if I have just got used to it or as the car has been used a lot more (it had only done 1000 miles since Sept) but it doesn't seem as bad anymore. Dare I say it, the weight is actually nice in the corners. Will take my Eunos Roadster out tomorrow and probably crash it

Reduced the pressures down to 32 all round, light steering in centre position seems marginally better too. What do you run on 944s?

Not sure about the S2 but my lux runs 29 front and 36 rear as per the manual.

[pauljmcnulty]

supersport said:

Not sure about the S2 but my lux runs 29 front and 36 rear as per the manual.

S2 manual states 36F/44R! Possibly a little high for the UK....

I've always gone for 36 all round, but I'm not the sort of driver who worries about the difference a few PSI might make.

[supersport]

pauljmcnulty said:

S2 manual states 36F/44R! Possibly a little high for the UK....

I've always gone for 36 all round, but I'm not the sort of driver who worries about the difference a few PSI might make.

You say that, but my 911 had a horendous vibration that was due to the one of the fronts being down a few PSI. I really thought that I had a flat tyre and was amazed to get out and find it still inflated.

The 944 doesn't seem to give a monkeys though on the road. Although on track it does seem a little sensitive to not letting a couple of PSI out, especially on the rears.

[DKL]

When I got back into my 944t after driving a 996t it felt much heavier on the controls. Newer stuff is more assisted wihtout a doubt.

[blade7]

If the suspension is worn and the alignment is out then then a few psi in the tyres wont have a big effect, but I find a sweet spot around 34/36 psi on KW's and 18s.

[nickson]

other thing to check is that the engine mount hasnt failed and caused the exhaust manifold to sit on the steering column!!! 944 suffer with this and the manifold gets very close to the column. if its touching, then its gonna cause heavy steering, and be dangerous! so check it out