So, can we conclude that if the sound goes away after warming up, it's nothing to worry about? I heard it from my car the first time last Saturday after a cold start (the car was parked for almost a month). I also hear this sound from all my other cars after a cold start in cold mornings. It usually goes away in a few seconds.

 

Found this link:
<a href="http://www.haphazard.com/993kb/common.cgi" target="_blank">http://www.haphazard.com/993kb/common.cgi</a>
<a href="http://www.haphazard.com/993kb/critical.cgi" target="_blank">http://www.haphazard.com/993kb/critical.cgi</a>

 

[quote]Originally posted by Craig in Texas:
<strong>My steering rack failed at about 72,000 miles and I was told it, too, was a problem common with early 993s.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Craig,

Did you do the work yourself and did you use factory parts, remanu, or used? I need to replace mine and am wondering the difficulty factor - I dont think its going to be that tough. Also, how did you learn you needed to replace yours?

Thanx,

E. J.

 

[quote] <hr></blockquote>Had the same thing happen just a couple of weeks ago. Started the car, drove 50 ft, and immediately parked it 'cause I thought parts were going to fly out of the motor.

I had the lifter noise is car sat for two weeks. Started and would hear tapping. Switched from 15x50 to 0-40 Mobil 1 and never any more tapping. Don't know if coincidence, but 0-40 has been working well for me.

 

[QUDid you do the work yourself and did you use factory parts, remanu, or used? I need to replace mine and am wondering the difficulty factor - I dont think its going to be that tough. Also, how did you learn you needed to replace yours?

When the steering rack went south in my 95 993, the only sign of trouble was a few drops of
steering fluid under the car near the front wheel.
This happened at 50k miles. Mechanic fixed the thing with OEM for $1,500 or so.

 

Thanx Tom,

I found a used one for $400 and think I am going to do the work myself. I have a friend who I hope can loan me a lift at his car dealership. That ought to make it easier. I just wanted to find if anyone has done it themselves.

E. J.

 

Hey E.J.,

Both Performance Products and Vertex sell rebuilt steering racks at a (relatively speaking) reasonable price--$300 (PP) or $389 (Vertex) for a 964. Problem is, according to my most recent catalogs, they only carry racks up through the 964--no 993 racks. Still, might be worth a call. Maybe they will be stocking 993 racks soon?

Since we're talking about steering racks, I'll add a short anecdote. A few years back, I had problems with binding in my steering. But, it only occurred when it rained, or shortly thereafter. My mechanic swore I needed a new rack (some $1100+!), and had no answer for my "why does it only happen when it rains?" question. I finally crawled under the car myself, and was shocked to find both left and right gaiters (between the tie rod and rack) split wide open. It was obvious to me what was happening--when it rained, water got on the rack's shaft, and bound on the seal. I had the system flushed, the gaiters replaced (some $15 each), problem solved.

 

Thanx for the tip Randall, but alas Vertex wants $800 for a remanu one. I did not think to check performance products - definately worth a call although I don't hold out much hope.

Glad to hear you didn't need to replace yours - I wish there wasnt a steady stream of fluid leaking from mine. <img src="graemlins/cussing.gif" border="0" alt="[grrrrrrr]" />

E. J.

 

Finally had mine up in the air 2' for a good look after 4k miles - car was 12K from an OPC, with 89 point check, yada, and another OPC had lubed the squeaky a-roll bar bushes after 1500.

But the rack gaiter on one side has obviously been leaking for some time, has actually softened to the touch. Will go the warranty route, but you would think OPCs would have an incentive to fix cheap and early, rather than ££$$ and late!

Cheers, Maurice. <img src="confused.gif" border="0">