Scott N

Have a 1996 993 and will be changing to 18" wheels and someone said I need a steering rack brace. Does anyone have a part number for this.

Scott

Robin 993DX

You will not need this if you have a 96 993, that was only for certain numbers of 95 993s.

Sam N

Robin,

I have a '95 with the 18" Technology wheels. What is the steering rack brace for? Should I check the VIN to determine if I need to add it, or would the problem(s)have surfaced already?

Thanks,
Sam

Viken

Sam,

It is a reinforcement of the steering rack which is required on '95 models after VIN number 99 7 SS 323614.

Sam N

Thanks Viken!
I will check to see if my car is affected.

993 Zoom

Viken, this is timely information as I have 18" wheels on my '95 C-4. My VIN# is 323995...surely you mean VIN nos. before this, not after?
Thanks!

Viken

Nope, it is AFTER that VIN number. Before that, you cannot use the brace and/or 18" wheels.

SeanD

I'm confused.

I have a '95 993 C2 with 18" turbo wheels and my VIN number is 322958.

Are you telling me that I'm not supposed to have 18" wheels on my car?

I have been emailing back and forth with a member on this, but I have yet to check and see if I have a brace installed. Can anyone tell me what to look for as I'm new and now nervous.

Sean

Viken

Not me but Porsche says you shouldn't run 18's. Based on a TSB they released, your car cannot have the update either. There are, however, many people running 18's on earlier cars and I have yet to hear of any problems.

os993

If your VIN number is indeed below the TSB's VIN #, then you technically should not be on 18". I know, for I too have such a VIN # that Porsche does not recommend 18", and after much debate, I decided to stick to 17's (and very happy I did, just to let you know...)

Now, what would I do if the car already came with 18"s? Switch back to 17"? This is a toughie... I would really try to find someone who knows their stuff about this and get their opinion. Maybe some custom strengthening might ease your worries. If not, then 17's aren't too bad either (read the archives, many people noted that they prefer 17's vs. 18's....pretty interesting...)

BTY, Porsche posted the TSB because our VIN # models lack the frontal strength integrity that offered on all 993's after the TSB VIN #. I too always thought it awkward that the same year model could differ so much in chassis, front suspension design.

Lastly, I think the real issue is about long term front steering system integrity (the rear doesn't care). Without the additional bracket, you might experience failure that Porsche does not want to guarantee, that's why they want you to stick to 17"s.

Sorry, a bit chatty tonight....

Tim 95 993 Pasadena

SeanD,
The bracket is a flat plate that installs between the steering rack mounting points. The bracket comes with longer allen head bolts and must be installed before retrofit of 18" wheels and tires. It's available from the dealer for approx. $40.00. The part numbers are as follows:

1. support bracket - 993.347.131.02
2. allen bolt - M8x60 (Qty. 2) 999.218.102.09
3. allen bolt - M8x80 (Qty. 2) 999.218.103.09

The allen head bolts are torqued to 32.5 ft-lbs.

Per the TSB 4440 # 9604....you shouldn't be running 18" wheels on your car due to the fact that your VIN is prior to 323614. Beginning with MY1996, the bracket was installed by the Factory. As Viken has previously stated...many owners have mounted 18" wheels and tires anyway.

SeanD

I would like to see if my car has the bracket added anyway. Anyone have a pic they can post or is it pretty easy to tell?

The only think I have noticed is a "slight" shimmy in the wheel. Also the steering wheel is not center when driving straight.

I love the look with the 18" turbo wheels (I promise a pic this weekend when I can clean her up and it's not raining)

I would have a tough time getting rid of them since they really 'beef' up the looks of the car. Handles fine for street as far as I can tell, but I plan on tracking the car at PCA events in the near future.

Sean

Sumtoc

My '95 VIN is 320418 so according to this post I cannot add the brace to my car. (Even though I bought one....).

Plans for my car include 18" wheels and occasional DE events, but probably not going to track it very often.

This post is a little dated, can anyone offer current experiences or opinons of risk for failure if I run 18" wheels or push it with any wheel size on the track?

Also is there anything else that can be done to this early '95 to help avoid the risk for failure? (When running 18" wheels, tracking, etc.....)

Racer944

The brace will fit your car despite it not being in the VIN range. I have fitted the brace to mine that is also outside the "approved" VIN range with no issues.

Note that there were other minor changes in the suspension for 95 cars that have a latter VIN, so that may have something to do with the reason that Porsche does not officially recommend 18" wheels on the early cars. Others have however installed 18" wheels on the early cars with no issues so its your choice...

Search will reveal discssions/threads about why Porsche may have not recommnded 18's for a period of time until warranties were up... I suspect it has more to do with rattles/squeks/leaks and ride quality, etc more than any potential failures of the suspension.

Cheers;
Eric

Ty Smith

I would like some clarfication on this too, I have a '95 VIN 322309, and always wanted 18".

I can understand the difference between 95s and 96s with the additional bracket. But would could be the difference between in the pre VIN# 323614 on 1995 cars..???

I have been told several times that a '95 doesn't need the bracket unless it will be tracked. Never heard anything about the pre VIN 323614 stuff.

Confused too.... Ty