I have a rattle in my front and Porsche mechanic found a loose steering linkage. Going to cost about $1000 to fix. Car has 108,000 miles, runs great and the rattle does not effect the ride. Is there anything else I should look for with a car with this mileage?

 

What could possibly cost $1000 unless replacing the whole steering rack?

 

Uhhhh....loose steering linkage? What is he talking about? Is the entire steering rack loose? Replacing inner and outer tie rods is a different story. At 108K miles, every rubber bushing in the front suspension should be checked. Your struts should be replaced and the brakes rebuilt with new rotors and pads. This is only the beginning....

 

Replacing both front inner and outer tie rods would run about $1000.

 

The cost is $1392 FOR A NEW STEERING RACK, OUTER TIE ROD ENDS and alignment

 

That sounds about right.

 

Anything else on suspension I should examine?

 

^^^^
Struts and Strut mounts.

Mike

 

^^^^
control arms, motor mounts, transmission mount. If these have not been addressed before, they are well past their prime now.

 

Everything I read suggests I should have a leak in the rack or steering problems if the rack is bad. I have none of these problems, just a rattle. Any ideas or am I wrong.

 

Does this include an alignment?
Make sure you get and accurate break down of what's being done.

 

Yes it includes an alignment. Very good Porsche racing shop.

 

That would be a used/re-built/re-manufactured steering rack. New is $3 or $4k... Ask me how I know (the Dealer broke mine, wanted to charge me $3500 for a new one and then acted like they were doing me a favor by only charging me $1100 for a re-manufactured one... ... yup Dealers are one of my pet peeves).

 

Check out:

https://shop.rackdoctor.net/1997-200...5995-25493.htm

 

OP,
Could I get a clarification on what the tech says is “loose steering linkage”? No mention of leaks, so could be rack pivot joint or any part of one of the tie rods. Big cost delta between replacing an outside tie rod vs a rack redo.