goingboeing737

I have searched the archives, and seem to be more confused.

I have a 84 with power steering (disconected). I want to convert it to manual.

Last year I bought a manual rack (from somebody here, I think)
I beleive the manual rack is from a early 944 or 924.
Part # is :944 347 015 00 (this is on the gear box itself)

I know I need a different intermediate shaft (for a manual rack, correct?)


My question is: Do I need different tie rods?

The rack has tie rods and ends on it already(ends are female and thread onto the tie rod). I will probably put new ends on it, althought they feel OK and don't wobble or anything. It also needs a new boot on the passanger side and a fill plug.

All of the previous post I find are usually late model and talk about needing "cup car" tie rods and "early vs late offset" (thought that was just wheels...)

See if the attached pics help. I want to have everything to do this at once, and not have to order stuff in the middle of the swap.

Also any other recomendations of items/tools needed to do this and anything else I should replace while I've got this area apart???

Manning

Tie rods and ends are different between the manual and power steering racks (male versus female). Zims stocks them for manual steering, as I guess Paragon does as well.

goingboeing737

I understand that part,,,,,, the manual rack ALREADY HAS tie rods and tie rod ends on it.

The tie rod ends on my manual rack are "female" and thread onto the tie rod.

Do I need to replace the tie rods that are currently on the manual rack with ones that are longer????????

ERAU-944

no you don't, you would only have to do that with a late car. that will bolt directly up to an early car.

-Mike-

Manning

Sorry, I misunderstood what you where asking about. Like Mike said, you have a early 944. The manual rack you have is also from an early 944, so clearly you don't have to replace the tie rod assemblies that are already on the manual rack.

The reason the late offset cars require different length tie rods is because their control arms are longer than those on early offset cars (cast aluminum or pressed steel, doesn't matter which).

goingboeing737

Thanks....

I was hoping that was the case. Usually never is when I'm dealing with this car.

A plug that was in the steering box just kinda crumbled in my fingers today. It is a little threaded rubber plug. When I replace this, should I put some more grease in the steering box? What kind? How much?

Now, it is on to finding a deal on a intermediate shaft. Are the used ones that worn/sloppy that it best to buy new?

ERAU-944

i have a used one and it's very tight. i suppose results may vary. if you can find a new one cheap enough - i say go for it. as for the grease i know Porsche used some sort of special grease for the steering rack, but i don't know what it is.

-Mike-

Manning

I'd say if you can find a good used intermediate shaft for around $50.00 then go for it. A new one will run around $250.00, but since it is kind of a PITA to remove/install it may be worth it to keep from having to do the job again in short order.

The rubber plug you mention seals the location used for the rack centering "tool" which is needed to set up the rack/front wheel alignment when you first install the rack. I made the tool out of a bolt. I forget the size, but I did post about it in a thread a couple months ago when Luis was installing his replacement manual rack.

Manning

This was the thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...light=steering

Kevin Baker

Manning, thanks for the link! I have a feeling I'll forget whatever it says there, but at least we'll remember how to find the info.

seb928s

Hey I did the same thing and the plug just fell apart. It was 96 cents from the dealer Also Porsche used a special grease like Mike said it doesn't need anything unless it's bone dry for some reason. Mixing grease isn't good. Just get a good used one it's not that hard to get to on an 944 na to replace unlike on the 951 you should have seen me doing that.