Steering Rack replacement

[traveler]

I recently had a wheel alignment done and the mechanic told me that the steering rack and tie rods needed to be replaced because the bushing inside the rack was 'spinning' preventing them from adjusting the alignment to within spec.

My question is, how big a job is it to replace the rack and tie rods? Is it something that I could do in an afternoon or will it take several days?

[no substitute]

This is on an '87, and they can't align it because of a bushing inside of the rack? Unless there is some unusual damage to the components in question this sounds very wrong. Should you actually need tie rods, the turbo tie rods aren't that tough to do, though you will need an alignment. I'd get it from another shop though. Does your steering feel odd other than the alignment factor?

[Early_S_Man]

Sounds like that mechanic is trying to get in your wallet BIGTIME!!!

His BS makes no sense! He is trying to 'snow' you ...

Take a look at some of these threads on steering rack re-greasing ... and then decide whether it is an afternoon or two-day job. there is very little difference between R&R, clean, regrease, install Turbo tie rods ... and a replacement job.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/search.php?action=showresults&searchid=801269&sortby=lastpost&sortorder=descending

[traveler]

Thanks for the advice. I suspected that I was getting a snow job. The place I took it is a dealership for high end cars and I always get the feeling that they think everyone who goes there has fat wallets that need lightening. Since I am working two jobs I don't have much time to do the work myself even though I would love to. I live an hour east of St. Louis and there are no Porsche mechanics here in the middle of the corn fields so I guess I'll e-mail one of the PCA guys in the St. Louis area and see where they would recommend.

BTW the steering feels fine as far as I can tell but I just put new tires on it and wanted to get it alligned since the old fron tires showed unusual wear.

[North Coast Cab]

Traveler,
You'll need to find someone to do the alignment whether you do the work yourself or not. So, see if you can get a decent recommendation and go from there. It is very unlikely the rack is bad, however, a clean and regrease may be in order. Both jobs are fairly easy and could probably be accomplished for a first timer in 1/2 a day. I had rack problems and have removed and installed several times. I can have it out in 1/2 hour. If you go that route PM me and I'll give some advice.

John

[jmohn]

"BTW the steering feels fine as far as I can tell but I just put new tires on it and wanted to get it alligned since the old fron tires showed unusual wear."

What type of "unusual wear"? You may only need new shocks (inserts) or balancing; or you may have excessive camber. My front tires wear on the inside edge due to extra negative camber to allow wider (225x50) than original (205x55) front tires.

Good luck,

Jerry M
'78 SC

[no substitute]

Yep, if the wear is the same on either side, and not too extreme, you may not have a problem. My tires wear a bit more on the inside too.