SoCal-CJ (993S)

I didn't notice the leak until a few days ago.
why did I notice it? Because of the car registration laws here in Texas. I moved from Ca, and my car has, too. Pre-registration, I need to get a safety check, and while the car was at the dealer for an oil change/ wheel balance/ alignment, I was told there was a problem.
they told me that the car would fail an inspection due to the fact that the steering column needs to be replaced (not cheap obviously), and with labor, parts, and a new alignment, the total would be roughly $2400.

I am not panicking, but seeing as how my car is only three months in my possesion. So all the modification money I had budgeted will go to a new steering rack! how boring, I wan't pss9! <img border="0" alt="[crying]" title="" src="graemlins/crying.gif" /> just gonna have to wait I guess.

So how many people have actually had to replace theirs?

I want to know if it is common or if my car just got unlucky.

Phil

Is the dealer a "safety" station?

if not, why couldn't you clean off the leak, and have the "alleged" safety inspection done at a "safey" station?

George Helser

SoCal-CJ (993S),

My 1997 993 developed a significant leak of power steering fluid at the steering rack in JUL 01 with 29,000 miles. It cost $1332 to repair at the dealer using a rebuilt steering rack.

Regards,
George
In sunny Arizona

Rick Lee

What's the typical life-span of an original rack on a '95 C2? How tough a DIY job is this? Thanks.

Robin 993DX

I replaced my leaking steering rack at 57000 miles with a Autozone remanufactured unit for $450. That is not including in the alignment charge and fluids.

I did do a DIY for this, the procedure is listed in my web site. I did place a difficulty scale level of 8 on this.

Rick Lee

Wow! I just read that tech article, Robin. Sounds like a real fun job. How many hours did that run you, and how much easier will it be if/when I do it on a hydraulic lift?

Robin 993DX

Richard,

It was a major PITA, having a lift will help a little.

Hank helped with this project, there was no way I could have done this on my own.

I would say it took 4 hours.

Pete K

I agree with Phil. Clean the leak off, go to a different inspection station and then keep an eye on the rack.

Pete

Rick Lee

Only 4 hrs.? That's a one case of beer project. I'm used to a lot more punishment than that. You should have seen me install adj. spring plates in my Carrera before I realized they were not the right ones for my car. That was a good 9 hrs. of accomplishing absolutely nothing.

Olav A.

Where does one look to see if the steering rack is leaking? Also, where to look for the power steering fluid leak.

Thanks.

Robin 993DX

Olav,

You will have remove the front tray in order to see the steering rack.

A leaking rack will look something like the below picture.

<img src="http://p-car.com/diy/steering/leakt.jpg" alt=" - " />

hn

After a ppi 2 years ago, I was told my 95 with 52k miles had a minor leak. Last year, I took it to a shop for an alignment, I was told it had a leak. 2 months ago, the resevoir was empty. So without seeing any leak, I was sure I have a leak and was ready to bring it to the shop for replacement. Still, I had to refill the resevoir to continue driving so I went to the store to pick up some generic pwr steering fluid. There, I saw Lucas oil (Arman993 suggested) and eventhough I didn't plan to, I bought a bottle anyway and refilled with it. 2 weeks ago, I brought the car to the shop for an oil change and also to have the pwr steering rack cheked out. The steering rack looked perfect.

I am not making any conclusion, that's just what happened.

Thx

Mike J

I did the rack after I bought the car. It had 62,000 miles, was leaking on the driver's side end seal. Got so bad the I would have to fill up every day.

I don't agree it can't be done with one person...I did it all by myself. I pulled the rack, had it rebuilt, and then reinstalled. My procedure is a little different than Robin's (hey, variety is good, right?) in that I did not take apart the tie rods but just unscrewed them from the rack...that way the alignment does not change, especially if you use the same rack in and out.

The rebuild charge was $450CAN, or $300US. Labour was free ;-) I had the car aligned afterwards just in case.

Cheers,

Mike

Rohan Nath

SoCal-CJ,
I just moved from SF to Austin so went through the same inspection/registration process. No issues with my car (phew!).

One suggestion FWIW - I learned (through a painful experience, $$s wise, with another car) that its best to get inspections done at a facility other than the dealership/shop that could do the work if there is something wrong. Otherwise it is a little like the fox guarding the hen-house...

ca993twin

My previous owner had the leaky steering rack replaced at Porsche for around the $2400 price mentioned here. The car had around 40,000 miles on it at the time. Argh. I'm just glad he fixed it, and not me.