Could you use a circlip instead?

Outstanding, hell if you find it a McMaster-Carr in a package deal, maybe a group buy? Heck, I will drive by and pick it up for us. I think that is where allot of us are getting the slop from but do not realize it. A worn or in your case broken retaining clip???

I am going to pull mine again and re-inspect the tie rod connectors.

We can't use a circlip since they need an internal grove to sit in. The end of the steering rack is a 40 mm straight hole. This is the retaining ring I found on line: Linear Bearing Accessories (Retaining Rings, Square Bearing Bases) | MSCDirect.com and since it is only $0.67 I was going to get one to see if it 100% matches. I think it does since it is specified for 40 mm. I will check my local hardware store or get a friend in Germany to find one for me. Draco, if you need one I buy an extra and mail to you.

Juergen

Well, the ring I ordered is not the correct size. Even though it says in the specification 40 mm, but it is way too large. The inside of the ring is actually 40 mm. I have to call around tomorrow to find one for a 40 mm bore size. Nothing is ever easy.

Juergen

OK, making progress again to find this internal locking ring. After consulting with a friend in Germany to find out the correct definition of the part in German he provided me with a German Company who is making the part. I looked at their specification and it is an exact match with item # ZJ40 (Seeger-Orbis Product Catalog). I contacted the local (Anfrage) guy and he provided me with a list of distributors of Seeger products:

Combined Distribution List

AS Raymond
Associated Spring Raymond - SPEC
Division Headquarters
370 W. Dussel Drive – Suite A
Maumee, OH 43537-1604
Phone: 419 891-9292
Fax: 419 891-9192
Raymond’s email: springsales@asraymond.com and website: Engineered Spring Products & Motion Control Solutions | Associated Spring Raymond

Daemar Inc.
861 CRANBERRY COURT

CA-OAKVILLE, ONTARIO L6L6J7
CANADA

1-800-387-7115
Daemar Inc


GL Huyett
P.O. Box 232
Exit 49, GL Huyett Expressway
Minneapolis, KS 67467

Attn: Sales
785-392-3017
sales@huyett.com.


American Ring & Tool
30450 Bruce Industrial Pkwy
Solon, Ohio 44139
440) 498-3730
(440) 498-3736 fax

American Ring and Tool - Specializing in snap rings, wire retaining rings, retaining rings, circlips, Eaton style, Belleville Disc Springs, Quarter Turn Lock Fasteners and Pins

International:

Brammer
Mrs. Maria Stark

Phone: +49 721/9543-211
Mail: maria.stark@brammer.biz
Brammer Group Home

Next is to find out if any of them can help me. I keep you guys posted.

Juergen

OK, here is the latest. One of the distributors for this particular internal retainer ring quoted me: Minimum order quantity 250 PCs at $1.00/each

So for $250 I can get the one (1) ring I need to fix my steering rack and have a supply for other Pelicans if they need any. I was even thinking to call our host and ask if he wants to buy the rest and offer them.
I also called a distributor in Hagen (Germany), which is close to my home town (Dortmund). They will also quote me and maybe I only have to buy 50 to 100 PCs.

Last not least I received an E-mail reply from another distributor I contacted with a name and phone number in Virginia Beach (much closer to home). I will call them tomorrow and see if they can sell it to me.

I will get my car fixed with the right retainer ring one way or another.

Juergen

Finally Victory!!! After getting a friend of mine involved in Germany I was able to purchase the correct retainer ring. I still had to buy 250 PCs of them. The first 52 arrived yesterday (no need to pay postage for all 250 PCs). Took me 10 minutes to put the steering rack back together and 1 hour 35 minutes to put it back in the car. Then a nice long test drive, live is good again.
If anyone needs a ring (or 248 of them) please PM me and I will send you my mailing address. Then send me a self addressed envelope with postage on it and for every $1 bill I find in the envelope I will send you one ring.

Juergen

http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/...psc1c76ae2.jpg

One last update, I have been driving my car again for the last two days and have taken it up to about 100 MPH. I used to have a slight vibration (sometimes more, sometimes less) in the steering wheel I could not eliminate after tire balancing, new ball joints at the bottom of the struts, new turbo tie rods and adjusting the wheel bearings. Every once in a while I had this little vibration. Now after practically re-building my steering rack the steering feels really solid and no vibration. I wonder for how long the bushing was working it's way out of the housing?

Juergen

This is the beginning of your auto parts distribution warehouse business. All businesses start somewhere. Lol. Good write up. Make an ebay page under Porsche 911 steering rack bushing retaining clip and the people around the world who need one will find you. I may need one in the future.

Congratulations! I love the detective work that went into finding these parts.

Outstanding!

Hey Juergen... I've been following thread in silence since beginning. Now it's time to say YOU ARE MR. TENACIOUS! Way to solve the mystery and get it done. Impressive.

Does 2 dollars via paypal work :)?

excellent thread, inspirational

I just noticed your post, sorry I don't have a paypal account. I have received a couple of self addressed envelopes so far and have promptly mailed out the rings.

Juergen

I have never examined a steering rack, but how would a broken retaining ring allow that much rotational play in your steering? I'd think a retainer ring would prevent something from pulling apart, but not create more rotational play.

You are correct, the retainer rings on each end of the steering rack are there to prevent the bushings on each side to slide out. The bushings are for the rack to slide sideways to push and pull on the tie rods. On my car the retainer ring on the left side broke and the bushing came out of the housing. When the rack was moved by the pinion to go left or right the rack had room to move up and down before it moved left or right. On page 2 of this thread in post #33 are two movie clips showing how the left tie rod moves up and down before it moves left or right. Post #37 shows the bushing out of the housing. Hope this helps.

Juergen

Juergen,
Been following this thread.
I have sent you a PM.
Johan

I had a couple of PMs today Pelicans asking for retainer rings. I answered all of them. I don't have a PayPal account. Usually Members just send me a self-addressed envelope with postage on it with $1 dollar for each ring they want. As soon as I receive the envelope I mail out the rings.
Our Canadian Pelicans send me a self-addressed envelope without the postage on it and just add $4 for postage. If they have US dollar they send US and if not then Canadian. I travel to Canada every once in while so it doesn't matter to me.

Juergen

I counted my rings last night and I have currently 25 of them left here in the US. I had asked my friend to only send me 52 of the 250 I had to purchase since I thought I will never sell them, so why pay postage for them to send to the US. Currently there are six Pelicans who have contacted me and are in the process of purchasing rings. I just talked to my friend in Germany and he will send me 100 more. I should get them in the next two weeks.

Juergen