Steering Rack...how much $$ to replace?
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 274
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta
Steering Rack...how much $$ to replace?
Had a few other Porsche owner's drive my '91 C4 and they all seem to think the steering rack is dying.
I am taking the car to a dealer on Monday and have them double-check the u-joints, since they were part of a safety recall for this car. If the joints are okay, I'll take the car to another better and cheaper shop and have them try and determine why the steering effort is stiff and won't auto-return to center.
So, to help brace me for the the most likely bad news, what's a steering rack cost?
What about labor to R&R one from a C4? I know the diff is "right there" but I can't really tell if it will be in the way much to get the old rack out/new one in.
I am taking the car to a dealer on Monday and have them double-check the u-joints, since they were part of a safety recall for this car. If the joints are okay, I'll take the car to another better and cheaper shop and have them try and determine why the steering effort is stiff and won't auto-return to center.
So, to help brace me for the the most likely bad news, what's a steering rack cost?
What about labor to R&R one from a C4? I know the diff is "right there" but I can't really tell if it will be in the way much to get the old rack out/new one in.
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Joined: May 2001
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From: TX
I've only priced the manual (RS & RSA) rack - it was around $450 (discounted price) new, not rebuilt, no trade in needed, from Porsche. You can get rebuilt units from Vertex and Performance Products, and I'm sure from other sources.
Three Wheelin'
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Just North of "Big D"
Robert,
If a C2 rack will work, I have one with 50k miles on it that we pulled off when I installed the Supercharger motor. I went to a manual rack since room was tight for the PS stuff in the engine compartment. Drop me an email @
royalbcat@netscape.net
if you are interested.
If a C2 rack will work, I have one with 50k miles on it that we pulled off when I installed the Supercharger motor. I went to a manual rack since room was tight for the PS stuff in the engine compartment. Drop me an email @
royalbcat@netscape.net
if you are interested.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 370
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From: New Zealand
Hi,
I had a C4 Rack replaced about 3 months ago - but only as it was leaking - the UK price was around £450 fitting. The Tie rods were fine, but I replaced the steering forks (as a precaution) as they have rubber internals.
I think it was about 2 hours labor to replace - but then you need a front Toe alignment as well.
Are you sure it needs replacing? First I'd get some specialist help with alignment just to see if it's not just your Caster and Toe settings.
Ade.
I had a C4 Rack replaced about 3 months ago - but only as it was leaking - the UK price was around £450 fitting. The Tie rods were fine, but I replaced the steering forks (as a precaution) as they have rubber internals.
I think it was about 2 hours labor to replace - but then you need a front Toe alignment as well.
Are you sure it needs replacing? First I'd get some specialist help with alignment just to see if it's not just your Caster and Toe settings.
Ade.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 274
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From: Atlanta
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Ade - C4 91:
<strong>Are you sure it needs replacing?
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No, I'm not sure. I am going to take it in to a shop and let them due a proper inspection. All I know is the steering is a bit stiff, the steering wheel does not return to center without a small push, and the boots on the rack have seperated into two parts. No leaks!
Update soon, with good news I hope.
Thanks to all who replied.
<strong>Are you sure it needs replacing?
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">No, I'm not sure. I am going to take it in to a shop and let them due a proper inspection. All I know is the steering is a bit stiff, the steering wheel does not return to center without a small push, and the boots on the rack have seperated into two parts. No leaks!
Update soon, with good news I hope.
Thanks to all who replied.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: New Zealand
Hi Robert,
A split boot will contribute to a damaged rack as road dirt and water can get into the rack. What colour is the power steering fluid? Opaque brownish/colour suggests water contamination (should be clear red).
If it's not actually leaking though - it may just need flushing completly.
Ade
A split boot will contribute to a damaged rack as road dirt and water can get into the rack. What colour is the power steering fluid? Opaque brownish/colour suggests water contamination (should be clear red).
If it's not actually leaking though - it may just need flushing completly.
Ade
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From: Dana Point, CA
I'll second what Ade said. You may just need to have the boots repaired, then the system flushed.
I had bad boots on my old rack, and it used to bind up whenever it rained and shortly thereafter. The fluid was a nasty brown. Replacing the boots cured the binding. Unfortunately, about 4 years and 25k miles later, the whole rack gave up the ghost (seal leaks), and I had to have it replaced.
Best of luck!
I had bad boots on my old rack, and it used to bind up whenever it rained and shortly thereafter. The fluid was a nasty brown. Replacing the boots cured the binding. Unfortunately, about 4 years and 25k miles later, the whole rack gave up the ghost (seal leaks), and I had to have it replaced.
Best of luck!
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Atlanta
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Randall G.:
<strong>I'll second what Ade said. You may just need to have the boots repaired, then the system flushed.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Great idea. Do you know if any special tools are required to do the flush?
<strong>I'll second what Ade said. You may just need to have the boots repaired, then the system flushed.
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Great idea. Do you know if any special tools are required to do the flush?
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