When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I have a turbo and still 4x4 that was all stock until recently. On the freeway the car didn't always seem to respond to steering input at times. So with my next oil change I stepped it up and got pss10's, alightnment, corner balance and new control arm bushings. It is even worse now I would say. The steering has no feel to it at all. I guess I can feel a little something going over a 'cat eye' reflector. Any idea what could be going on? Thinking about taking it to a top notch racing shop to redo alignment and corner balance. For some reason the shop shows my previous caster at 4.8 left and right and now 4.7/5.2 left and right. I can moving the steering left and right almost an inch from center line left and right and have no result - so that's a problem. Parked however it feels pretty tight.
Could the steering rack be failing?
Could it be related to the front diff? I changed that oil a year ago. Around sharp corners there is no problem.
It's frustrating because all the changes were $$$$ and the only improvements are looks, ride over bumps and I used to get a clang sound when reversing sharply into my parking space. I was expecting the car to feel more like a kart or any other performance cars I have driven that are much better.
Stop driving the car now and have it looked at as it could be very serious if a component is loose or broken. A botched alignment can also make the car appear to wonder at highway speeds. Not just from front-end issues, If the rear toe or Kinematic toe is out all sorts of craziness will happen at highway speeds. Was your most recent alignment done by a Porsche dealer with the correct Kinematic toe adjustment tool? Most folks lack the tool and ability to align a 993 properly.
Okay. The shop has a good reputation with 993's and other Porsches. Custom Alignment in Mountain View. Rear of the car feels the same. Tracking straight, accel/decel is fine. The car was driven between shops by mechanics. I put it through its paces in the twisties it felt okay but not as much of a change as I was hoping for from stock. Steering is dead at center. Looking at sending it to Rodger Kraus when I get a chance.
From reading your reply I may have not communicated clearly enough, you may have misunderstood me. If the rear is not properly adjusted it feels like your steering in the front is loose and your car will wander around and the steering will feel like it is being influenced by the crown in the road or any road surface artifacts. The driver perception is not that the rear is loose,
Andy
They looked over everything. Found a rear control arm (99333104202) that had to be replaced - I guess you shouldn't replace the ball joint on those? I saw the old part. I use a respected P-shop in my area for the last 7 years I found on here but starting to wonder about the alignment people they chose. I may be changing who I bring my car to in the future
If you want to tighten up the steering feel get inner tie rods (as Steve mentions above). Stock ones have a rubber center with play. You can them with no rubber from places like Elephant Racing. I'd also install poly steering rack bushings. Post your alignment and corner balance specs.
replace the front ball joints, 993 341 049 06, about $37 each
replace the tie rods, 993 347 031 03, $200 to $500 depending on brand
The inside front tie rod ends are hard to inspect for wear or play because it can look OK even when the inside rubber isolator has lost its ability to clamp the ball joint.
All the other suspension joints can be inspected for play before replacing them. If their rubber grease boots are cracked, just the boot need be replaced. I use silicone rubber boots as they will last the life of the joint.
Andy
I know you were all waiting with baited breath to learn what I found out. Below are the before and after. Car drives great now. Can't believe I paid for the first alignment
Sorry for the poor image. The pss10's are better but maybe not quite as good as big of a change as I'd hoped for. Still early days. MUCH better over harsh bumps and feels better throwing the car into corners.
I have not. I forget where they left the settings 6 maybe. You can't really change them without lifting the car right? Just got them put on less than two months ago. I need to enjoy the improvement I do have for now and hit some twisty roads and not just the freeway in order to really see how the car responds. I look forward to that.
Yes, having a negative front toe will give the perception of the car wandering all over the place. The rear negative toe will contribute to this as well. Glad it all sorted out.
Andy
04-30-2019, 05:12 PM
Steering becoming alarmingly vague
