Q: My 944 steering feels loose. I have replaced the tie rods, control arms, struts, and stabilizer links but I am still getting a rattle. What did I miss? — Mark
A: My guess is the steering universal shaft. The shaft connects the steering column to the steering rack and I frequently find them detectably loose. The way to check for a worn shaft is to grab the shaft near the universal joint and see if you can move it side to side. Another method is to have a helper saw the steering wheel gently side to side while wrapping your fist around the joint. A small amount of slop when the car is up in the air, stationary, will translate into a rattle when driving the car. It is not dangerous, just annoying. – MC