Steering column replacement? Mystery knock noise

I've been haunted by a knocking noise in my steering wheel (01 C4 cab). I thought @NIckshu had solved it (link to thread below), replaced the lower steering shaft. Nope! https://rennlist.com/forums/996-foru...-solution.html I took the car to a well-trusted pro Indy mech and he says it's in the steering column itself, and says it needs replacement. This will not be cheap, likely well over $3k (part cost is Like $2700 retail). I've found many used parts which I may try - but I'm pretty sure this will be a tough project, so want to learn as much as possible before proceeding. Has anyone out there replaced their steering column? If so I would be imminently grateful for any information you would share! Thanks!

I changed my steering column in effort to stop an annoying rattle. I got a used shaft from LA Dismantlers. In my case, the column was not the cause, nor were any parts of the shafts down to the steering box (all removed). My rattle was a factory flaw, loose bolt, which a high paid indy fixed for me after removing the entire dash. The shaft alone is not as difficult as it is nerve wracking and painstaking. It involves removing air bag, steering wheel, instrument cluster, trim pieces, ignition switch, and section of steering shaft and u-joint. Reassembly must be done exactly or alignment is necessary (and reset of steering sensor if PSM equipped.) PM me if you're sure you want to do it and want more help. My column removal My original column and replacement Entire dash removed to locate hidden loose bolt

Yikes that looks like a nightmare! Please do tell, where was the loose bolt? I'm currently pursuing another possibility as described in this thread: https://www.renntech.org/topic/50498...comment-281960 I'm onto that theory because the turn signals often often don't cancel properly and sometimes there's a squeak / scrape noise when I turn the wheel - seeming to indicate a bad clock spring. In addition the horn hasn't worked properly for a long time, even after I did the "o-ring" fix on the horn plate. That would only involve removing the steering wheel, not so terrible. I've got a clock spring on the way, I'll probably pull the wheel myself and see if anything is fixable in the upper column. Thanks so much for posting, I greatly appreciate it. I welcome any other theories or applicable info from other rennlisters!

The rattle on my 03 C4S was one of several structural bolts securing the dash bulkhead. It was never designed to be accessed, and definitely not up to the Porsche standard of excellence. Bolt could not have been torqued properly at factory, or thread sealant forgotten. I hope that your new theory works out. I support that pursuit and any other short of column removal: clock spring, telescoping wheel, column attachment, etc. Be patient. Good luck.

Thanks so much for sharing that. I hate to say it but that is exactly the location of the mystery noise in my car! In hindsight do you think there could have been an easier way to access it?

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There was no way to access the loose bolt aside from removing the dash. I could not find it in the diagram. My noise was a metallic rattle, definitely not a "knock." Have you checked with Nickshu? Revisit his thread. The steering shafts are easy(er) to remove and examine. BUT mark them first and reinstall EXACTLY as removed.

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Would you be able to message me so I could ask you about this situation. I�m afraid I may have something similar going on however because of my lack of activity it appears I don�t have permission?

Good, I tried, but you're unable to send or receive PMs. Perhaps you could change your permissions? Or post again here - a way fot me to contact you.