Little concerned

[bella986]

steering wheel has three points of contact, obviously two to the sides, one down, airbag insert with pin connectors on the back, pretty heavy, Porsche symbol is embossed, not the gold shield like on the original, but box and packing looks like factory stuff

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by bella986

steering wheel has three points of contact, obviously two to the sides, one down, airbag insert with pin connectors on the back, pretty heavy, Porsche symbol is embossed, not the gold shield like on the original, but box and packing looks like factory stuff

Here is one with the shield:

Porsche Boxster S 986 996 993 964 3 Spoke Leather Steering Wheel W Airbag Black | eBay

[bella986]

Married the best gal 26 years ago. Loves anything with a motor,(which is everything we own) loves to drive fast, always has preferred 5 speed manual, drives her own Polaris SS sled, hogs the jet ski on the lake and can't keep her out of my Z3.

[bella986]

Iapologize for the last post, still new to this format. That was neither a "performance or technical chat": will clean up my posts.

[BruceH]

Originally Posted by bella986

Iapologize for the last post, still new to this format. That was neither a "performance or technical chat": will clean up my posts.

No worries, we are not that strict here

[thstone]

Originally Posted by bella986

... and can't keep her out of my Z3.

You will soon lose all use of the Boxster and be relegated to the Z3 on a full-time basis. Might as well start looking for a second Boxster now...

[bella986]

found my problem thanks to your combined guidance. it ends up being a deteriorated joint rod retainer clip , exactly where sb01box suggested to look. Any idea where i can find the plastic retainer clip, parts schematic does not show it, only adjustable joint rod, OEM 986 424 931 05 for rod assembly, hoping to purchase just the 5/8" diameter push retainer.

took console out to better understand cable-shift operation, found another interesting surprise. as there is a slit between the ashtray and console, the ashtray being used for coins, they tend to fall through. found 16 years of loose change!

[Johnny Danger]

Originally Posted by bella986

found my problem thanks to your combined guidance. it ends up being a deteriorated joint rod retainer clip , exactly where sb01box suggested to look. Any idea where i can find the plastic retainer clip, parts schematic does not show it, only adjustable joint rod, OEM 986 424 931 05 for rod assembly, hoping to purchase just the 5/8" diameter push retainer.

took console out to better understand cable-shift operation, found another interesting surprise. as there is a slit between the ashtray and console, the ashtray being used for coins, they tend to fall through. found 16 years of loose change!

With no signs of rattling all this time ?

[sb01box]

most ball and cup fittings are designed to be self centering. that is the plastic cup has a race that is deeper in the center versus the two side.
with wear, the center groove would wear but the sides should hold. if the "clip" is damaged due to wear (and not rusted off due to salt and weather) then your car may have additional problem that is inducing side force onto the ball and the cup.

shift linkage can prevent the car from being driven. a bad situation.
if it was my car, I would replace the linkage. also check all the joints at the transmission as well as at the shift lever.

good luck

[Crono0001]

Originally Posted by bella986

My god, that would've rattled so hard.

I can't stand any rattling when I corner. It drives me crazy.

[jb92563]

See, every used Boxster comes with buried treasure.

Sure beats a box of CrackerJack.

PS: Take the Wife and yourself to a Porsche Performance Driving School. More fun than you could imagine, you'll make some new Porsche friends and you will learn how to avoid collisions and drive like Mario Andretti.

[Gary_d]

Originally Posted by bella986

found my problem thanks to your combined guidance. it ends up being a deteriorated joint rod retainer clip , exactly where sb01box suggested to look. Any idea where i can find the plastic retainer clip, parts schematic does not show it, only adjustable joint rod, OEM 986 424 931 05 for rod assembly, hoping to purchase just the 5/8" diameter push retainer.

took console out to better understand cable-shift operation, found another interesting surprise. as there is a slit between the ashtray and console, the ashtray being used for coins, they tend to fall through. found 16 years of loose change!

That's too funny, I found the same thing! Car rattled all the way home when I got it. Pulled the console and found $23.75 in quarters and about 100 toothpicks! Add it to the parts fund.