Leland Pate

For those of you wondering if the steering rack brace required to run 18” wheels on ’95 993’s will fit the early ’95 cars, I can now put that to rest. Last night I installed the new brace from Gert and it went on without a hitch. Porsche evidently put out a TSB saying early ’95 993s (between a certain VIN range) could not be retrofitted. I checked my VIN against the serial numbers found in the archives and my car fell into the “too early to install the brace” category. But, I had already ordered it and figured I’d try it and see why it couldn’t be done. My best guess is Porsche used two different brake boosters and the early ones are slightly larger in diameter. The brace comes within about 1mm of the booster, but it is not touching. I used a feeler gauge to make sure. I laid there thinking about it for a while to make sure I was missing something and came up empty. I don’t see how the brace can harm the booster. So, as far as I know the brace will fit early 993’s and I have no idea why Porsche said not to install the brace on early 993’s.

Cheers,

Leland Pate

If I am missing something... someone please let me know...

Mark in Baltimore

Leland,

You did get the longer bolts, right?

Edward

Hmmm, I've heard of the TSB about "adding" the brace to the 95s, but never heard about them "not fitting." I've got an early-ish '95 with the brace...no problemo.

Edward

DJF1

Yeap I've got a very early 95 too ( March 94 built) and no problemo with the brace.

drmrfi

I too fitted the steering rack brace to my ´94 993 C2 (European model) last night.
Mine too was ordered from Gert and it fitted perfectly.
Didn´t really notice any difference when driving though. Are you supposed to ?

Funny to find out that roughly at same time there´s somebody else doing the same mod to 993 in the other side of the Globe!


Mika

riviera 93

I have a 7/94 "95" with no brace? e

Leland Pate

Yup, the kit came with new bolts with loctite on the threads. Mika, how close did the brace come to your booster?

drmrfi

I guess not particularly close as it didn´t alert me. Everything seemed to fit ok.
Now you´ve mentioned the thing I´ll have to look closer next time I´m down there.

Mika

mimmo

i have a 95 993 and have installed 19" SSR GT3's why do you need a brace
for 18" + wheels?
Do i need it and what are the benefits?
I had 18" SSR GT3's until this spring and had no problems with steering
and just upgraded to 19's

Leland Pate

Do a search on "steering brace" and you'll get loads of info. Essentially the brace offers more support to the steering rack. With 18"+ tires the increased lateral loads on the rack can cause premature failure of the rack assembly.

Tom Pepper

I thought all 993's experienced premature steering rack failure. I guess you mean premature premature failure.

Steve Weiner-Rennsport Systems

Tom,....thats pretty funny,...

I think he was referring to early, premature failures.

KASH '95 993

Actually Steve, I think he meant untimely premature failure

PedroNole

My 6/94 build '95 also has a steering column brace on it. No problems with the fit. I think this is one that the Porsche folks just got wrong I know, I know, blasphemy...