993 Steering Pump

[ocho]

Got home last night and driving (gently) round the last roundabout I heard a nasty grinding sound at the rear. Sounded like suspension or brakes or something.

Took it in this morning and up on the ramps you could see the rubber seals around the steering arms were leaking oil and they think the noise was possibly the steering pump which is back right (where the noise was coming from), groaning due a lack of oil.

Does this sound likely and if so, what's the chances of the pump having survived this as they are apparently not cheap (around 1,500 Euros...)

Anyone know about this sort of thing or have similar experiences?

Thanks in advance
Jem

[Gaity]

Not an expert but my guess is that the pump will have survived, just refill the reservoir. I would be looking around for a new power steering rack, though. We had exactly the same problem on our Audi cab (very low mileage but seals perished over time). We were told it was cheaper (and better) to replace the rack than replace the seals and sourced a replacement from Eurocarparts reasonably cheaply (£200 vs £800 from Audi IIRC). For the 993 they list a recon exchange ZF rack for £495 (no stock currently). Good luck.

Trevor

[vic cohen]

Sorry mate , absolutely dead cert u need a rack, main agents will do a deal for abt £900 with a gty specialists less than £600 fitted ................gaiters go, seals get damaged or just wear out and juice comes out = ex rack!
Pump cud be ok pressure hoses around it sometimes give out also worth checking while ur at , shud have full geometry[included in OPC price] afterwards
Good luck ...............

[ocho]

That's not quite the news I was looking for, chaps, but thanks anyway. At least when I get the call now, I'll feel less like I'm being taken to the cleaners...

Why would I need a new rack, just because the seals have split? Not doubting anyone, just trying to gain at least a little knowledge...

Don't actually know what the rack is... (is it the bit that goes from the steering wheel down... he says trying to make up for complete lack of knowledge...)

[Gaity]

The rack is the bit that the bit from the steering wheel down goes into. When you turn the steering wheel, rack is the bit which pushes the arms to turn the wheels. The effort is assisted by hydraulic oil pressure from the steering pump (hence power assisted steering). The pressurised oil is retained in the rack by rubber seals, which can wear out and leak. They fail for several reasons, age, or more likely ingress of dirt due to a split gaiter. Replacing the seals is a rack out job, but chances are that the rod which slides through the seal will be scored too, and will leak again if not renewed, hence the sensible thing is to replace the lot and be done with it.

Trevor

>> Edited by Gaity on Friday 17th June 11:17

[silver993tt]

ocho said:

That's not quite the news I was looking for, chaps, but thanks anyway. At least when I get the call now, I'll feel less like I'm being taken to the cleaners... Why would I need a new rack, just because the seals have split? Not doubting anyone, just trying to gain at least a little knowledge... Don't actually know what the rack is... (is it the bit that goes from the steering wheel down... he says trying to make up for complete lack of knowledge...)

...no it's the bit at the bottom of the shaft that comes down from the steering wheel, a bit like a flat bar with alot of grooves on which a type of gear/cog rotates

[ocho]

Gaity said:

The rack is the bit that the bit from the steering wheel down goes into. When you turn the steering wheel, rack is the bit which pushes the arms to turn the wheels. The effort is assisted by hydraulic oil pressure from the steering pump (hence power assisted steering). The pressurised oil is retained in the rack by rubber seals, which can wear out and leak. They fail for several reasons, age, or more likely ingress of dirt due to a split gaiter. Replacing the seals is a rack out job, but chances are that the rod which slides through the seal will be scored too, and will leak again if not renewed, hence the sensible thing is to replace the lot and be done with it. Trevor >> Edited by Gaity on Friday 17th June 11:17

Thanks Trevor. Next question then, is who does the best deal on mail-order 993 Racks?

[Gaity]

Try Porscheshop - www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/porsche_993_steering.html

Trevor

[Gaity]

..or this

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=61908&item=7981409920&rd=1

[ocho]

Yikes!!!!

Due to a slight communication problem, while the car is in being checked out they have ordered the parts (I apparently approved this in broken Spanish!) - total with gaiters and steering arms - just over €2,000 + labour. Haggled down to €1,600 + labour, but this is still before they are able to see if the pump is serviceable (which is apparently not such an expensive item - another communication issue).

Oh well - if you must have a Porsche, I suppose it helps if it goes round corners...

[vic cohen]

Steering arms/dampers are normally a seperate issue.........maybe the racks been going longer than u thought and they ve been damaged in the meantime ?
Ur negotiated price is toppish but not silly so at least u ll know which way ur pointing............

[ocho]

vic cohen said:

Steering arms/dampers are normally a seperate issue.........maybe the racks been going longer than u thought and they ve been damaged in the meantime ? Ur negotiated price is toppish but not silly so at least u ll know which way ur pointing............

Thanks Vic. It's in with a new dealership here, that's been set up purely because the other one was so ill-thought of. They've brought all their mechanics down from Germany and in a short space of time have got themselves a decent reputation, so hopefully the car will come out in good shape!

[ocho]

Quick update, and I'm glad to report that said new dealer, which is trying for OPC-ship (some may think they'd be better off staying independant), has done a decent job on the 993. Took a couple of days longer than planned but following a misunderstanding at the time of diagnosis, they've given a healthy discount on their work, and it feels a whole lot better than when I took it in.

I beleive I'm the only PH'er from down on the Coast, but if anyone else reads this I'd recommend them (call me for details...)

Nice to be back on four fat wheels!!!