A giant power steering leak?

[944tothefloor]

On a 944, at the steering rack, I pulled one of the boots and a puddle of atf poured out. Does this mean it's a bad rack?

Can someone please confirm that the boot should not carry any atf? I've always thought that boots protect from debris, but are not intended as a seal.

Thanks a lot!

[jeffrsmith]

You are correct, there should be no fluid present in the rack boot.

This does not mean that you have a "bad rack" - it most likely can be resealed. If you are up to the job, you can purchase a reseal kit for ~$75. If you do not want to do the job yourself, you can purchase a rebuilt unit. Many of the online forums that offer parts support also sell rebuilt racks - including Pelican.

[tamathumper]

+1 - *no* fluid should be in the boot.

Same with girlfriends, if there's fluid in her boots, she might have a bad rack, and those ones can't be resealed. In that case it's best to just replace with new.

[944tothefloor]

lol.

Thanks you guys. I'll get a rebuild kit. Have you guys had to have steering re-aligned after you rebuilt the rack? I read the "10 cautions" on Arnnworx and it's a little daunting. I think I can do it, though.

Thanks again! And happy halloween.

[John_AZ]

Resealing a rack may not be possible if the main shaft is bad:
Steering Rack

Get a rebuilt rack with a warranty.
Change the tie rod ends. Do not use a "pickle fork". Rent/deposit the tie rod end remover tool at AutoZone.

Mark the steering shaft coupler before you remove it to get it back in the right place.

I used a DIY alignment process before and after.

Alignment record table:
http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/928recordtable.html

Get new rack bellows if yours are rotted/torn.

Do Not Use a Power Steering Stop Leak!

Easy 4 hours or less job--maybe not.

J_AZ

[944tothefloor]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Resealing a rack may not be possible if the main shaft is bad:
Steering Rack

Get a rebuilt rack with a warranty.
Change the tie rod ends. Do not use a "pickle fork". Rent/deposit the tie rod end remover tool at AutoZone.

Mark the steering shaft coupler before you remove it to get it back in the right place.

I used a DIY alignment process before and after.

Alignment record table:
http://members.rennlist.com/captearlg/928recordtable.html

Get new rack bellows if yours are rotted/torn.

Do Not Use a Power Steering Stop Leak!

Easy 4 hours or less job--maybe not.

J_AZ

Very helpful! Thanks a lot. I'll look into a rebuilt unit, and tie rod ends.

[944tothefloor]

One more question because I am unsure. If I put in a rebuilt rack, do I need an alignment?

Thanks.

[John_AZ]

Yes.

Almost impossible to keep exact alignment when you install the rack and screw in the tie rod ends.

But, as I mentioned If you get the old numbers and record them, on current toe-in and camber, you can get close as your current setup.

An easy alignment setup:

Pelican Technical Article: Home Alignment

J_AZ

[944tothefloor]

Originally Posted by John_AZ

Yes.

Almost impossible to keep exact alignment when you install the rack and screw in the tie rod ends.

But, as I mentioned If you get the old numbers and record them, on current toe-in and camber, you can get close as your current setup.

An easy alignment setup:

Pelican Technical Article: Home Alignment

J_AZ

nice, thanks for the info and data grid. Very solid post as usual.

[djnolan]

When replacing tie rod ends count the number of turns/twists to unscrew the tie rod end from the rack and re-install the new tie rod end with the same number of twists. This will restore the alignment to whatever you started with.