Steering rack brace
03-15-2008, 04:02 PM
#16
Rennlist Member
The steering rack brace goes between the two points where the steering arms join to the rack. Its purpose is to stop damage to the rack - steering arm attachment points. A few people here have noted that their 95s on 18" wheels were creaking during slow U-turns (full lock). Once the steering rack brace was installed, the creaking went away.
TSB 4440 # 9604 says that you shouldn't use 18" wheels on if your VIN is prior to 323614 (early 1995). If you have a '95 after that VIN number, then you could use 18" wheels provided you install the brace. Some have said that this was a warranty issue - PNA didn't want to have to add the steering brace in all '95s (the later '95s have some other minor suspension changes).
There have also been some discussions regarding a later TSB that said 18" wheels were OK regardless of whether the brace is installed.
Personally, I'm not sure if it actually does anything or not. But for $40, I figure it couldn't hurt.
TSB 4440 # 9604 says that you shouldn't use 18" wheels on if your VIN is prior to 323614 (early 1995). If you have a '95 after that VIN number, then you could use 18" wheels provided you install the brace. Some have said that this was a warranty issue - PNA didn't want to have to add the steering brace in all '95s (the later '95s have some other minor suspension changes).
There have also been some discussions regarding a later TSB that said 18" wheels were OK regardless of whether the brace is installed.
Personally, I'm not sure if it actually does anything or not. But for $40, I figure it couldn't hurt.
03-15-2008, 08:15 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
The 18" wheel issue is a red herring IMHO: the rack brace is a standard engineering approach to share load and enhance stiffness between two mounting points. The strut brace that many install in the front trunk does effectively the same thing.
Enhanced rigidity is generally a good thing, regardless of which wheel diameter is fitted.
Enhanced rigidity is generally a good thing, regardless of which wheel diameter is fitted.
03-15-2008, 09:21 PM
#18
Drifting
When I ordered mine from Paragon it came with the required longer bolts. I subsequently realized through the 'list that I could have gotten it cheaper from Sunset, but 'oh well'...
03-15-2008, 11:47 PM
#19
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My VIN falls into the no go lot, but I have 18s and put the brace on without an issue. I think it was $55 shipped from sunset. Dont think it really does much, but for what it cost couldnt hurt either.
03-16-2008, 12:39 AM
#20
Rennlist Member
I put the brace on my car also.
I asked Joel Reiser about it, here is what he said...
"Porsche never really said much about what would happen if you ran without the brace, they just said it was necessary. Since it costs barely $100 or so, and is easy to install, I never thought to question the wisdom."
I asked Joel Reiser about it, here is what he said...
"Porsche never really said much about what would happen if you ran without the brace, they just said it was necessary. Since it costs barely $100 or so, and is easy to install, I never thought to question the wisdom."
03-16-2008, 10:37 AM
#21
Banned
Thread Starter
Will it help cure this problem on my 95 cab with 18 inch Speedlines:
Steering wheel ocillation after front wheels encounter road irregularities?
Thanks Rich
Steering wheel ocillation after front wheels encounter road irregularities?
Thanks Rich
Last edited by RDS928S; 03-16-2008 at 02:20 PM.
03-16-2008, 10:56 AM
#22
Rennlist Member
If you still have the original munroe shocks, look no further - if not, I would check the LCA ball joints and bushings for play- also, look for play in the tie rod assemblies, both inner and outer ends. I would not expect the rack brace to be instrumental in solving oscillation .
04-26-2008, 01:48 PM
#25
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I found that installing the brace almost (but not quite) stopped the creaking when applying full left lock. Now it creaks a lot more quietly - well I think its coming from the car - could it be my wrists?
Any doctors on the forum?
When I removed the factory rear fold-away spoiler that definitely cured the creak behind me and it definitely wasn't my back!
Any doctors on the forum?
When I removed the factory rear fold-away spoiler that definitely cured the creak behind me and it definitely wasn't my back!
