steering rack same for 951 and 944NA?

[dondarnell]

My steering rack is leaking. I am considering the options in fixing it. I could (1) rebuild it myself (2) buy a re-manufactured rack (3) buy a used one.

Questions. Are the racks the same between the 951 and 944NA? Anyone rebuilt one with success? Any bought a rebuilt one from someone they can recommend?

[kmakovac]

the rack are the same and for what i know from the first 944 81'to last 968 power stearing rack is the same maybe only with minor improevments.

I rebuild two racks mayself,and after the first one that in some steps is panic when you catch the components and working of it the rack and rebuilding is preaty logic and simple.
i belive that the small seal at the botton of the steering gear is the worts to get out so is easy to broken scratck the AL-hausing.

You mast have a big table(1x1 meter) to have a good work.
You mast have many different sice of tubes or socket to pull out the plastc slides.

Read all clarc's,pelican and other instruction and take your time.
When you do do job is very inportant that the chrome shaft is very clean and have no inperfection.

[homer944]

All the same.

Autozone...lifetime warranty

[Cocacolakidd]

+1^ Autozone w/ lifetime warranty - I replaced my rack system with one from Autozone, and the first one started to leak after six months. I took it back and they gave me another one, no questions asked. This one has been in there for four years now and no problems.

[JonA]

I've got the rack out of the 924S now and am awaiting the rebuild kit. It doesn't look to bad for the rebuild if you have patience and work carefully. I'm more comfortable trying to rebuild my rack which I know is a good unit other than the leaks than using a rebuilt which may not be as good a core or may not have been rebuilt with as much care. A lifetime warranty is great but it doesn't cover the down time and labor to remove and reinstall.

Good luck,
Jon

[homer944]

Hope you have the right tools. Rebuild kit is only slightly less then a rack already rebuilt.

[9FF]

Problem with those rebuilt ones is you really don't know the quality of the rebuild. I suspect they just clean, replace the seals and test.

Most of the rack problems on our cars won't be from old seals but damaged seals caused by contamination ingress through the hp line that fails. This contamination will scratch or pit the shaft and they generally don't replace or repair the shaft on a rebuild. A damaged shaft will eat through those new seals in a short time. It's a coin-toss with rebuilt racks.

If you do it yourself you can check this and smooth out any damage to the shaft before fitting new seals. Really depends if you want to do the job again in 1-2 years with a rebuilt rack or DIY and have one that lasts 5+ years.