Bangkokian

I took my car into the dealer because my alarm control box gave up the ghost. Just had it replaced after I flooded the car last year so they are replacing it under warranty.
While in I asked them to look at where my power steering leak was, they found that my steering rack is leaking. They tell me it's not repairable and can ony be fixed by replacement of the entire unit, and it's an exchange part, meaning the old one has to be exchanged with a new one. Even at that, it's tres expensive.
Anyone know if they can be fixed? Porsche (local) says they cannot get parts to fix the rack. Sound right?
Thanks in advance.

Richard Curtis

I had the same problem with mine, same story. Bought a remanufactured rack from Griffith Specialities (sadly for you, they're in the USA). I remember the whole thing including installation was around U.S. $800. A local independent mechanic installed it for me. I then returned the old rack for a refund of the core charge.

ThomasC2

If you find the US-agent for ZF and give them the ZF-part number on your steering rack you can buy a kit of washers for approx 100 USD and then have a garage to rebuild your rack. I did this and the Swedish ZF-agent was very helpful.

springer3

We need ask Pelican or one of their competitors to put together a seal kit. Seals are cheap, and there is plenty of profit potential for selling a rebuild kit for ~$100.

ThomasC2

I thought you lived in the US. But you can contact your local ZF-distributor where ever you live. The cost was more like 75-80 USD and the kit contains 15-16 seals.

Bangkokian

The part that bugs me the most is that the car is out of commission for a couple weeks before parts arrive. Oh well, keeps the mileage down.

Indycam

ThomasC2
Can you order more of these kits ?
You might be "The Man" .

ThomasC2

I'll see if I can find the ZF-part number when I come home tonight. But then you should be able to buy it from your ZF-distributor. It was no "special service" from the guy at the Swedish agent. You could even buy a new or rebuilt rack from them, but the price was more or less the same as Porsche's.

But we start with the part number and take it from there!

zicoramone

I had a Steering Rack Leak for about a year. Porsche ask me around 2.000 USD for a new one. So, I bought one refurbished from design911.com in England and after installing it I shipped it to them the broken one. It was a great deal.

Indycam

"But then you should be able to buy it from your ZF-distributor."
Should vs can .
When I asked for the rebuild kit from any and all , they all said , go away little boy ...
If you have a cool ZF-distributor in Sweden , then I want to do some business with them .

ThomasC2

OK, here's the part number: 7832 633 010 and it's a ZF number. (my car is a C2 -92)

And from this link you should be able to locate your local agent:

http://www.zf.com/content/en/import/...ebServOrg.html

As I said before, this wasn't a special deal. I just called them and asked if I could buy a repair kit, and the answer was " give me the ZF-number on the steering rack and I send the repair kit home to you".

So see what kind of answers you get, if it's alla negative we maybe have to make a group buy from Sweden (which seems a bit odd....)

Evgeny

Just cheked part number in a local on-line store:
Manufucturer: ZF; Product: Set of seals; Price: 69,9 usd; Pre-order item;
So if it's available even in Russia, it's available everywhere
Thanks for sharing, ThomasC2.

Bangkokian

Ha, 2,000 sounds like a steal compared to the Thailand price. After a 30% discount it's about 2,600 USD here!! They won't refurbish and won't install if I order it from somewhere else. A lot of money for a small fluid leak!

LouZ

It may be worth a try - put in a can of Power Steering Sealer and Conditioner. They are designed to swell the seals, which could stop a little leak. I have had success on another car with "Lucas" brand.

At best, it will stop the leak.
At worst, the rack will still leak - then you can decide to put up with it or invest the big $$.

ThomasC2

Glad it worked out for you Evgeny!