Steering rack question

[Zeke]

I'm changing my steering rack from the ZF to the (probably ZF) 914 one. This is because I have a 914 rack in excellent condition and the original ZF has a pretty good worn spot at center.

Question: The simpler looking 914 rack has a bolt in the top of the housing that is not present on the ZF. It's an M8, no taper and does nothing.



Here's the bottom view. Notice that the 914 doesn't have the second plate at the roller bearing.



I'm thinking that while the thing is out, I can temporarily screw in a zerk in the extra hole and load the rack neat and clean. Thoughts?

[nhromyak]

This is interesting to me, because I think my rack is worn too.


What did you do to determine this wear?

The only few places I could find who even rebuild Porsche steering racks or otherwise have them, say they don't do the 911.
Is this because they aren't rebuildable, or is it because they aren't supposed to wear-out?

Curious about your reasoning.

Other than that, it looks good to me, but I am no engineer...

Good luck.

[kellzey]

It's just an access plate to repack the rack.

Be sure to seal it properly. There originally is a paper seal in there.

Loctite should work.

There are also some spacer shims and some springs, so be careful exploring too much in there.

Good luck!

[RoninLB]

Originally posted by nhromyak

This is interesting to me, because I think my rack is worn too.

What did you do to determine this wear?

.

me too.
I want to repack so I follow all these threads.

Maybe a workshop manual has the rack slop specs?

the '72 Tech Spec booklet is laid over the '77 Tech Spec.

[nhromyak]

I have repacked mine with the Grease Warren recommended. It seemed to work for about a year, but now mine is "loose" at the center and "clicks" again. Although I am not sure if the rack is clicking or not.

[jpahemi]

Zeke:
Is it possible that the 914 rack has that hole to lock the center in place during alignment or during rebuild.
Regards,
J.P.

[Zeke]

OK, let's take these one at a time.

Nick, it simply is loose at dead center. If I tighten it with the shims at center, it would bind at bit off center L & R. the 914 one from '72 and later 911s is smooth all the way, L to R.

Karl, this is only a bolt. Look at the pics again. I'm all done with the ZF.

Ron, I've got Bentley open (later cars), 2 Haynes open (914 & 911), factory manuals open all to the page for the steering rack. Plus, I have the various Pelican threads printed out.

Haynes says don't f__ with it, get another one. Bentley gives some specs but says it's not serviceable for any purpose including lubrication. That's total BS as evidenced by posts written by Pelicans.


Nick again, I don't think the rack can be fixed if the center spline (or gear cut on the straight piece) is worn. It will always have a bit of free play at dead center. Mine's not that bad, I didn't notice it until I had it out on the bench and turned it by hand. It has a little "click" right there as you say.

J.P., I don't think that's the purpose of the hole as it sits on top of the rack when installed. Hard to get to.

I just wanted to know if I could buy an 8mm threaded grease zerk and use the hole to pack the rack. No big deal, I'll go to the FLAPS as soon as I get a chance.

Where are the experts when you need them?

[Randy Webb]

You just might be at the edge of known expertise...

esp. if the manuals don't deal with it.

I hate to say that, but it might be true.

[Oldporsche]

I agree with Randy.

Once in a while, Porsche in its self evident infinite wisdom, took some time off and went out for a bier.

When the Porsche was designed and built, this piece was probably very cheap and considered a throw away item.

Good luck,
David Duffield

[nhromyak]

this piece was probably very cheap and considered a throw away item.

This doesn't seem likely, as it is an aluminum rack. I don't recall very many other manufacturers making an aluminum rack...

But then again, who knows.

I know the internal pieces APPEAR to be serviceable, because it has so many bushings through-out. But then again, maybe it's because it is aluminum.

I certainly don't know, but the information available for adjusting or otherwise rebuilding this, seem non-existent.

Keep going Zeke!

[unclebilly]

Originally posted by nhromyak
This doesn't seem likely, as it is an aluminum rack. I don't recall very many other manufacturers making an aluminum rack...

I think even Ford pintos had aluminum racks (a friend used one on a sand rail when I was in high school).

Anyway, Zeke, if you can't find a Zerk fitting with the M8 thread, let me know and I'll bore a M8 bolt and machine a pipe thread into one end for you so you can adapt it to a Zerk.