When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Fwiw here’s what I know about manual racks as I investigated the subject some time ago and these are the notes I made.
1. A 924 rack will not physically fit a 944, the mountings are completely wrong.
2. 924S and 944 use the same steering racks.
3. PET only shows one part number for all LHD manual racks and that is 944.347.011.00.
4. Manual racks were a stock feature on the US cars in 1983 only, from 1984 onwards they were option M656 in the US but they remained a stock feature in some ROW markets until 1987.
5. Some, but not all cars with a manual rack option were fitted with a larger 380mm steering wheel as opposed to the 363mm diameter steering wheels fitted to cars with power steering. The 380mm steering wheel was option M416 and was meant to make steering a manual rack easier due to the larger diameter.
6. There is one other part number 944.347.015.00 that has been found on 944 LHD manual steering racks that apparently corresponds to a “sports” version with a higher ratio. This number doesn’t appear in PET and I have not been able to confirm an option code for it.
7. There are various casting marks on manual steering racks that start 477 or 478 that may cause confusion. They are nothing to do with the part numbers it’s just some of the castings that made a manual rack carried VW part numbers.
8. Turbo Cup cars had manual steering but is was achieved through a de-powered rack rather than a manual rack.
Fwiw here’s what I know about manual racks as I investigated the subject some time ago and these are the notes I made.
1. A 924 rack will not physically fit a 944, the mountings are completely wrong.
2. 924S and 944 use the same steering racks.
3. PET only shows one part number for all LHD manual racks and that is 944.347.011.00.
4. Manual racks were a stock feature on the US cars in 1983 only, from 1984 onwards they were option M656 in the US but they remained a stock feature in some ROW markets until 1987.
5. Some, but not all cars with a manual rack option were fitted with a larger 380mm steering wheel as opposed to the 363mm diameter steering wheels fitted to cars with power steering. The 380mm steering wheel was option M416 and was meant to make steering a manual rack easier due to the larger diameter.
6. There is one other part number 944.347.015.00 that has been found on 944 LHD manual steering racks that apparently corresponds to a “sports” version with a higher ratio. This number doesn’t appear in PET and I have not been able to confirm an option code for it.
7. There are various casting marks on manual steering racks that start 477 or 478 that may cause confusion. They are nothing to do with the part numbers it’s just some of the castings that made a manual rack carried VW part numbers.
8. Turbo Cup cars had manual steering but is was achieved through a de-powered rack rather than a manual rack.
Great post - an encyclopedia on manual racks! The info about casting numbers is helpful.
Yeah after I wrote that how-to I was able to verify that the Turbo Cup cars had a de-powered rack versus a manual one, so that article isn't 100% perfect. I don't think I can go back and edit it.
Yeah after I wrote that how-to I was able to verify that the Turbo Cup cars had a de-powered rack versus a manual one, so that article isn't 100% perfect. I don't think I can go back and edit it.
Oh thank you. Thank you and thank you again. Would you possibly find yourself clear to disclosing your provenance? It would mean a great deal to me?
Oh thank you. Thank you and thank you again. Would you possibly find yourself clear to disclosing your provenance? It would mean a great deal to me?
Regards,
At one time I was friends with the late John Dixon and worked on the board that did a local event called "Speedfest". Among John's large collection of Porsches, two of his aquisitions during that time really interested me: a factory Turbo Cup car and a 924 Carrera GTS, both with super low miles and as they rolled off the factory floor. I was able to spend quite a bit of time looking at them and making notes regarding spec, construction, etc. If you are curious, here's the website for his building which houses most of the collectiona and is rented out for parties and banquets. It doesn't look like its been updated for awhile.
5. Some, but not all cars with a manual rack option were fitted with a larger 380mm steering wheel as opposed to the 363mm diameter steering wheels fitted to cars with power steering. The 380mm steering wheel was option M416 and was meant to make steering a manual rack easier due to the larger diameter.
My 1988 Airbag-equipped 951 came stock with a 380mm steering wheel and has power steering; my understanding is that the sports 363mm wheel is an option (pre-1987) and could be optioned with or without the M018 extension. 380mm is otherwise the stock size
My 1988 Airbag-equipped 951 came stock with a 380mm steering wheel and has power steering; my understanding is that the sports 363mm wheel is an option (pre-1987) and could be optioned with or without the M018 extension. 380mm is otherwise the stock size
You know, you could be right there, I may have got my “facts” wrong on the steering wheel. Funny though, all my cars came with power steering and they all have 363mm steering wheels. I even have a spare sitting waiting for a recover and it is 363mm (see pic below). My long gone 83 had a 380mm wheel but wasn’t a M018 optioned car, confused.
My buddy in Ottawa has an '86 951 with option code 431 on his sticker. His wheel is the 363mm.. makes sense according to the PET:
I would imagine most 951 buyers ticked off as many "Sports" options they could afford lol
The only reason I'm hot on this topic is I've recently installed a steering wheel... quite the ordeal! I wanted to get my airbag wheel closer to me.. found an M018 adapter but couldn't make it work... tried out the 363mm it came with for a while but didn't prefer it... so now I've got a Momo 380mm that I managed to install the M018 adapter on
Last edited by Dan Martinic; 01-15-2019 at 02:11 PM.
Reason: Clarification
At one time I was friends with the late John Dixon and worked on the board that did a local event called "Speedfest". Among John's large collection of Porsches, two of his aquisitions during that time really interested me: a factory Turbo Cup car and a 924 Carrera GTS, both with super low miles and as they rolled off the factory floor. I was able to spend quite a bit of time looking at them and making notes regarding spec, construction, etc. If you are curious, here's the website for his building which houses most of the collectiona and is rented out for parties and banquets. It doesn't look like its been updated for awhile.
That is correct, the 87+ Cups were de-powered power racks from the factory. I am fairly certain the 86 Cups used the manual rack.
Yes, I believe that's correct that the euro 86 cup cars had manual racks, Fuchs wheels, and a few other differences. If someone really needs that verified I can reach out to Anders. He used to own one and we are friends on Facebook.
01-12-2019, 05:51 AM
