steering rack

[jmj996]

Hello all,
Just in the beginning stages of sorting out everything with this 951 I have owned only a week now, probably many more posts to come. 137k miles, basically all original suspension (even the original front M474 Koni's), though tie rods might have already been replaced. Since I have new struts coming in soon, I thought I'd use some time today to try to identify anything else that may need to be done while I'm in there. One thing that I'm a little concerned about (since I'm taking this to the track) is that the left front wheel has a little bit of play when I manually push from left to right with the driver's side jacked up. It's just enough to get a little click when going left to right. The movement comes from somewhere in the steering rack. The front bearings are tight, the outer tie rod and ball joing seem perfectly fine, it's definitely the steering linkage that's moving with the push of the wheel. The total play is less than 1/8" measured at the edge of the rotor. The passenger side does not have any left-to-right play, but I also see that there is a new rubber boot coming out of the steering rack on the passenger side, and the old/original boot on the driver's side, so possible something has been done there. What additional diagnosis should I do? Is this enough play to even worry about? If so, am I looking at replacing an individual component out of the steering rack, or rebuilding the rack itself?

Anything typical/weak about these cars with this mileage that I should look at in the front suspension before taking this car to the track? I see a lot of posts about replacing the caster blocks, looks cheap and easy, but important.

Thanks in advance!!

[jmj996]

Before I start taking things apart (that I may not need to) could someone please describe what part numbers 12 and 13 are and how they lock the tie rod shaft to the steering rack output? Is it likely that something is just worn out here or needs to be tightened? I probably sound lazy, I should just get in there myself and disassemble/reassemble, but if someone here already knows and can save me time, I'd appreciate it.

https://techinfo.porsche.com/techinfo/pdf/en/catalogues/E_944_88_KATALOG.pdf - go to main group 4, section 403

[bud9344]

Number 11 is what you need 12 and 13 is for locking it in place. 11 is tie rod end ass. consist off inner tie rod end and outer tie rod end (#14). And # 15 is to lock # 14 after the alignment is done.
Welcome to the tread


_________________________
Bud

87 930 Black
86 951 Black
86 944 N/A Red ( part Car) rear ended 2007
87 944 S White
83 944 N/A Black
83 944 N/A White Auto

[jmj996]

Okay, just to make sure I don't simply need an adjustment instead of a replacement, are you saying that the area in the picture below with the red arrow cannot be tightened up, but is just worn out and won't get any tighter? I noticed in the shop manual that it said there will be 1mm of movement (of part 11 towards the steering box) as a result of tightening the lock nut (but it does not imply that there should be any play after it is tightened).

Excerpt:
During tightening, the stop surface at the steering stop ring shifts by approximately 1mm, i.e. adjusting distance a must be checked and readjusted, if required, after the lock nut has been tightened.

And another picture from the shop manual that is referenced by the excerpt above:

[bud9344]

This is how install the new inner tie rod end to the steering rack.Turn the tie rod end to the steering till it stop and put a lite tension to make sure there is no gap.And then lock the lock nut to the tie rod end and secure it with bending the washer to the tie rod.
If the tie rod end is already worn and you tighten it . It may be Ok for a while before the nylon coated ball wear out or it may jump out off the socket.
Personally I wouldn't take that change and save money by not replacing a wear out part. it always give a goose bump thinking what might happen if I simply adjusting it.
Good Luck

---------------------------------

Bud

87 930 Black
86 951 Black
86 944 N/A Red ( part Car)
87 944 S White
83 944 N/A Black
83 944 N/A White

[jmj996]

Originally Posted by bud9344

This is how install the new inner tie rod end to the steering rack.Turn the tie rod end to the steering till it stop and put a lite tension to make sure there is no gap.And then lock the lock nut to the tie rod end and secure it with bending the washer to the tie rod.
If the tie rod end is already worn and you tighten it . It may be Ok for a while before the nylon coated ball wear out or it may jump out off the socket.
Personally I wouldn't take that change and save money by not replacing a wear out part. it always give a goose bump thinking what might happen if I simply adjusting it.
Good Luck

---------------------------------

Bud

87 930 Black
86 951 Black
86 944 N/A Red ( part Car)
87 944 S White
83 944 N/A Black
83 944 N/A White

Thanks. Unfortunately I could not just buy the inner tie rod, not even through a local auto parts store or numerous Porsche parts vendors, so I bought the whole inner/outer tie rod assembly and will replace it all before it hits the track. It wasn't too much so it's worth doing as a precaution, at least to eliminate some additional possible vibration.

[jmj996]

Originally Posted by bud9344

This is how install the new inner tie rod end to the steering rack.Turn the tie rod end to the steering till it stop and put a lite tension to make sure there is no gap.And then lock the lock nut to the tie rod end and secure it with bending the washer to the tie rod.
If the tie rod end is already worn and you tighten it . It may be Ok for a while before the nylon coated ball wear out or it may jump out off the socket.
Personally I wouldn't take that change and save money by not replacing a wear out part. it always give a goose bump thinking what might happen if I simply adjusting it.
Good Luck

I received the new tie rod assembly today. Now that I see the joint, I feel pretty stupid for thinking I could just tighten it up. It's not designed that way at all. New part going on today. Thanks for convincing me to replace it.