rampfar

New to me 1995 993...I put on 7.5x18" Front and 10x18" Turbo-look solid spoke WheelEnhancement rims with 225/40z18 front and 255/35z18 Bridgstone S03's. The backs are now almost slicks after 5,000 miles. Since buying the car and researching/reading about the 993's the back wheel wear is a problem....esp the 95's. Besides alignment to the later 993's, a mechanic told me about a $40.00 plate that is mounted on the front underside but couldn't remember what Porsche part# odr the name of the part. Ienjoy the car but......know very little about mechanically taking care of it other than keeping it GREAT looking. Any and all help and suggestions about alignment and suspention would be greatly appreciated. Thanks rampfar

AOW162435

Your mechanic was probably referring to the steering rack brace - an aluminum piece that serves to tie the steering rack mounting points together. The part number for it is: 993.347.131.02, and the two longer mounting bolts are: 999.218.103.09. Porsche recommends this for 18" rims on '95 models. It is a super easy install and you can find directions by doing a search on Rennlist.

As for the rear alignment, I've read on a few occasions that the alignment shop should just align the car to '96-'98 specs.

Exactly what rims did you purchase? I bought a new set of factory 18" Turbo twists from WE - 8x18" and 10x18", with 52 and 65mm offsets. The fronts were: 993.362.136.01, and the rears were: 993.362.140.04. My tires are sized 225/40 and 265/35.

Andreas

rampfar

Andreas...That sounds like the plate the mechanic was referring to .... did you have one installed or did you do it yourself (if you Have) The rims inthe front are 993.362.134.06 (50mm) and rear 993.362.140.o4 (65mm). I should have joined Renns earlier...this is a great forum.. Like the car I'am still trying to find my way around. I haven't owned a Porsche for about 25 years...since a 912. Thanks again.....rampfar

chris walrod

Welcome to Rennlist! You'll find this place a good one to hand out at. Lots of info, lots of discussion, pictures and good people.

Happy New Year!!

AOW162435

The steering rack brace takes about 15 minutes to install. Use the search feature to find any number of write-ups on it. You'll spend more time removing the front under-belly pan than actually installing this piece.

Welcome to Rennlist and Happy New Year!

Andreas

AOW162435

From the Carnewal site:



Andreas

cooz

rear toe-in adjustment (with rear kinematic adjustment as well) is critical for improved rear tire life.

have alignment checked by qualified source

Tom W

I think the real question about the rear tire life is this: Was the wear even across the tires? If yes, then it's the tires and/or your driving, not the alignment. If the wear was bad, then it's the alignment.

I get about 10k miles from SO3 or SO2A tires with an alignemnt at RS specs. My repair manual does not show any difference between '95 and other model years in alignment specs or procedure.

Don Magee

Tom W, not to hijack this thread, but I have s03s and I am about to replace them with s02as. In your view, how do the s02as compare?
Back on topic, I agree with Tom W.

Tom W

Don, I can't really answer. My SO3 fronts were shot so I did what many here get all a twiter about - I mixed tires. I have SO2As on front and SO3s on the rear. I know Viken always said that SO2As had better dry grip, but for my street driving, I see no substantial difference. Given the ton of rain we have had over the last week, I don't have a problem with the SO2As in the rain either (and I hit some real rivers of water across the road at 60 mph in the last few days). When the rears wear out, I plan to switch them to SO2As also.

Don Magee

Tom, thanks. But, what is this thing "rain" you speak of ? Here in Texas it has been a tad dry lately.

rampfar

Tom...I've put maybe 5,ooo miles on the tires since Sept. 04 with a trip to Pismo being the longest run and as conservative as I drive...not getting the tailend to even come loose!!! but the wear is very consistant across both rears. What about tire pressure....max on the S03's is 51 Lbs...a mechanic said to run at Max ...which I don't....presently 44lbs is all???? Andreas, thaqnks again for the link to Carnewal...I will be on the phone with the local Porsche service to check on $$$ for the Steering bracket brace prior to getting new tires and alignment...Thanks rampfar

chris walrod

Should not run more than 38psi cold at the rear, IMO. I typically run a 2psi difference between the front to back, the front being 2pis less.

Don Magee

I'm with Chris--I shoot for around 38-40psi HOT on my so3s, which works out to around 35psi cold on the street.

Tom W

I run 34/36 cold.

Don, ya but we get pretty much all our rain in Jan-Feb and it never rains in June-Oct. That way you buy "rain" tires early in the season and if it rains, you are set, but if it doesn't they've been "shaved" for later in the season.

Still, if the wear is even across the tire, I don't think it's an alignment problem. And, with even wear, not a significant inflation issue either. I think, they just wore out quickly.