ParkerFya

Installing a manual steering rack in my 1984 944 and it seems a little dry and there is no zerk fitting.
Is there a way to grease it. Any advise would help.


Thank you, Parker

944-LT1

My best guess: I believe you would have to install a fitting on the bottom of the rack where theres a black plug (used to lock/center the rack) and from there you fill the gearbox with grease. I bet theres a special fitting/porsche factory tool that you need to use.

Not sure but would also love to know.

PorscheDoc

Just disassemble it, clean, and grease everything up. It takes about 20 minutes.

Bri Bro

1+, that is what I have heard people doing.

Man, I bet it would be a pain to turn that car in sub zero degree weather when the grease turns to a near solid.

Spidey944

Like many other on here, I have had a manual rack for over a year. We dont get the super cold weather like some, but there should be no maint needed on it. If u want to disassemble and clean/lube you can, but other than that, not really any need for anything else.

hardtail15

it was -1 here in pa yesterday, no problem with the manual rack

PorscheDoc

I don't notice any stiffer steering when it is near zero either.

ParkerFya

Thanks, already got it greased and installed.

Bri Bro

Thanks guys, good to know.

V2Rocket

+1
Very easy.

Take off the tierods.

Pull off the little cover on the front of the rack (has a nut and stud on it) and remove the spring and hat underneath, then remove the little metal piece. This will allow the rack some slop which helps getting it out. You need to remove the dust cap from the pinion shaft and pull the pinion out, then the rack should slide out. Degrease it, apply fresh grease, reassemble.

Spidey944

Arent you runing a power rack with no hoses??? LOL. That does not count Spencer....

944-LT1

How about on the fly?!?!? If you dont want to take off the tie rods, intermediate shaft, etc. or disassemble anything? Any instructions on that?

rosco

My manual steering rack has some "cuts" when turning. It started few days ago. Turning wheels isnt smooth anymore. Can new grease help or is this racks life over? We had temps like -20 celsius,now about zero degrees.

PorscheDoc

You could probably drill, tap, and install a grease fitting in the body of the rack without a problem. the rack slides through a bushing on the passenger side, so there should be plenty of clearance to install a fitting without it bottoming out on internal shaft.

Voith

what about free play in manual rack? is there any cure to that problem? I think mine has about an inch or so on the wheel.