Just ordered (and subsequently picked up) a steering rack brace for my '95 cab and the dealer got me for $60 !! No wonder they can afford to build a gleaming new dealership with a restaurant inside. I know I should have shopped around but I was already there picking up a friend. Just venting.

 

Joel,

Ouch. Try Crescent Porsche (800-966-7222) next time. I paid $34 for mine. Friendly service.

 

Is the steering rack brace an easy DIY ?

 

Lex,

It's super easy. Jack the car up, take off the front pan, put a breaker bar on your ratchet (I think it's much harder to do this with an allen key set), make sure your allen bit is seated well and start loosening. Once you remove the bolts, take the new, longer bolts (original ones are too short), add some threadlock and tighten down.

 

I haven't installed mine yet but do a search for "steering rack brace install" and you'll see some posts. Viken posts a diagram and someone else posted a link to P-Car. The P-Car link has a photo and DIY explanation that makes it seem like it will only take 15 minutes once the car is in the air.

 

What does the steering rack brace do? Is this a standard item or an option?

 

Ron,

It was not an option you could order. The rack was standard from '96 and on. Most '95's are missing it.

It looks like the brace stiffens the steering housing against the high loads of track driving and/or 18" wheels and tires.

 

My car has been on lightweight (for wheels) 18 inch BBS rims for a couple of years (according to the previous owner). Anything to look for if the bar is missing (damage wise?)... I best get under my car!

 

Just put the brace on. It literally took longer to take the plastic undershield off than to put on the brace. I didn't even need a breaker bar. I guess ease of installation makes up a little for being gouged on the price !