Power steering

hi guys, not been on for a while. However, can anyone help. Can I use halfords chf11s to top up my power steering. It's green but does not have the word pen tossing on it, thanks

Sorry pentosin

That's auto-correct for you! The Halfords CHF should be fine. It says it is for use where CHF 11S is specified. You can get Pentosin CHF 11S on eBay for the same price though.

Just put some fluid in. The result is a huge pool of fluid on the floor at the front of the car, so obviously has a leak somewhere. could someone help with the following; 1. Are leaks with the power steering rack fixable 2. How easy is the power steering rack to remove and fit back. 3. Any ideas on cost of a new/ replacement rack 4. Best place to buy one many thanks

The racks don't often leak. It is usually the ferrules on the end of the hoses (where they go into the rack) that corrode, causing a leak. The hoses are a bit of a pain to change, and people often effect a repair with Jubilee clips. Not my idea of a permanent fix, but it might get you out of trouble.

Hi again, just took plastic undertrays off and discovered that two lines of small bore steel tubing have corroded and split on the power steering rack. It is not the large rubber hoses. They have corroded on the drivers side. They seem to come off the main fitting and then run to the passengers side. Looks impossible to get to them. My questions are, 1. Does the rack have to come our to effect a repair. 2. Can the new small bore pipes be purchased and fitted to avoid paying for a new rack. Doesnt look like I'm going to be able to tackle this job as access is nigh on impossible thanks

That's unusual. The Porsche PET doesn't list the small bore pipes, so I think you would have to take the rack off and get the tubes made up. I expect a rack refurbisher would be able to do this. A new rack from Mr P is over £2200, by the way....

Just rung Porsche specialists and they say the two lengths of steel pipe are not sold separately so a new or refurbished rack will be required, which seems ridiculous as they are screwed in place. Why would I want a new or refurbished rack when it is the pipe that is the problem. Anyway, have seen some second hand racks for sale on eBay so could purchase one and just replace the two pipes. does anyone have the worksheet on how to remove the steering rack please. I'm assuming that somewhere along the line the larger pipes run from the front of the car to the engine compartment. I'm stuck on where to disconnect this run also. Hoping the worksheet will give me all the info I need. HELP please!

Hi Richard. They connect directly to the rack so they are part of the rack itself apparently. Do you have a worksheet for removal of the rack please

Out of curiosity, are the small bore steel pipes similar to brake pipes? These can be 'made up' so why can't the same be done for what you need? I had an advisory several years ago that the 'crimps' on my power steering hoses were 'corroded' but hoses were not swollen or leaking..... Richard advised me that hoses were between £110 -£170 + 2-3 hours labour..... Jubilee clips were placed over crimps & are still doing there job!!

yes the small pipes are like brake pipes. they are integral with the power steering rack. its not worth getting made up as you can get a second hand rack for £60 on ebay. I intend not using the second hand rack. just taking off the two pipes. however, what I am looking for is thw instructions on how to remove the rack

Drop me a PM with your email address, and I'll send you the instructions.

Oops, didn't know how to pm. Can the last message be removed.

Yes - and it has been. You can delete your own posts yourself, though![ ]

David - I found a Tiscali email address for you on my computer, so I sent the instructions there. As for PM's I'm not sure, but it looks like only members can PM, and not guests. Normally, you just hover your cursor over the username, and a window appears with a 'Send a Private Message' link. The link doesn't appear if I hover it over yours.

Oh, many thanks Richard. Firstly, thanks for your worksheet, I did receive it. This will help with the job as I will do myself this week. Secondly, thanks for the advice re pm info. I use to be a member but when I moved the local club is now too far away. May think about joining again in the near future as I loved attending the outings, especially the woty events. Anyway, I don't have the tool to split the steering arm ends from the joint at the wheel. On my 944 I milled out a metal wedge with a slot through it. Hammered this in place, which then split the joint. However, I think the threaded stud on the 996 is a bigger diameter so won't fit. Are there any tips that will help. Failing that, I might go to a local garage and see if they will lend me a tool for the job

Bloody track rod ends won't budge. Penetrating oil been left on now for nearly two days. Rubber hammer not working, heavy hammer not working. Next bet is to take off the brake pads, calliper and brake discs, then see if I can wedge out. Any tips would be appreciated.

Stupid question but they do push out!!!! They're not screwed in are they.

Have you tried gently heating it?

After the nut is removed, a sharp blow on the wheel carrier (not the track rod) should release the tapered thread. Also, another trick I've found is to put the wheel back on and lower the car, so the damper takes load and then a sharp blow to the carrier. This is usually enough to release load on the track rod. Heat would be last measure if you want to preserve rubber boot.

I was a little concerned with hitting the wheel carrier as everything is aluminium cast. Is there a threat that it could crack? Will try wheel back on and gingerly hit with my hammer. Thanks for the tips guys. If it doesnt work then heat will be required. A local garage has the rubbers which he says are universal so at least these are replaceable.

Ok, progress so far. 1. track rod ends freed up 2. Steering rack securing bolts undone 3. Inlet and outlet pipe c section retaining plate removed. however, I've now spent three days trying to pull free the inlet and outlet pipes from the steering rack. The smaller of the two has eventually been freed. However, the larger of the two will not budge. I have tried everything. I've also noticed that the flange around this pipe has also broken away. This small section of pipe runs from the rack to the larger rubber hoses. my question is, can I cut this section of aluminium pipe and then replace it with a new section taken off another rack. Only question here is what and how do I remove the other end where it fits the rubber hose. any help would be greatly appreciated, I seem to be getting nowhere fast with this one. thanks

On second thoughts, this small section of pipe won't come with a replacement rack so am I able to break the joint somehow to the rubber hose to enable me to remove the rack and secondly, as I've only got half the flange left on the power steering rack end, is it reusable. Assuming I can get it off when on the bench. Or can I cut this pipe and get a replacement somewhere, thanks

Have attached photos to help explain. The first photo shows the smaller pipe removed. The black aluminium pipe in the lower left will not come out. the lower photo shows where each black pipe joins the larger rubber pipes. if you look closely you can see that the flange on the top photo on the removed pipe is clear. However, half the flange is missing on the pipe I'm trying to remove. thanks

Sorry no images. Instead of using 'quick reply' try using 'reply' on the previous post - you should see a image graphic on the right hand side. Use that to add an image to the post. You seem to be having a tough time. Not something I've tackled on any car to remove steering rack - I would have thought rear engine would be easier - obviously not. You could try calling an indie for some advice. Also, steering racks are specialist items, so you should be able to find a company that specifically deals with racks either refurb or exchange.

Not sure if it's worked or not

Looks like it's working now, thanks

Thanks for the tip on photos, but can anyone answer my query, thanks....come on Richard I know your out there somewhere !!!!

I have attached a photo showing where a breaker has cut the rubber hoses to get the unit out. it is the pipes, inlet and outlet that run to these from the power steering rack that wont budge. well, one anyway. if I cut one of these pipes to get the unit out, can a replacement be ordered and is it ok to fix to the rubber hose with a jubilee clip rather than the current arrangement, thanks

Looking at the PET both the pressure and return lines are separate parts. The rubber hose looks to be an integral part of the hydraulic pipework.

Yes, whilst I understand this when fitting everything to the car Porsche will have to join the small lengths of pipe (inlet and outlet) coming off the power steering rack to the rubber hose which then continues the run back to and from the engine compartment. I wouldn't have thought it just pushed in so a suitable joint must exist somewhere to connect these lines. Also, if the flange on the short length of pipe becomes knackered, then this length , you would think, is surely able to be purchased. My question really is, if I get a length of pipe from a breaker and slice through the current joining piece between this pipe and the rubber hose, what can I use to rejoin them, thanks

The joints between the steel and (braided?) rubber hoses are swaged at the joints and give a good mechanical seal for the high pressure side. I don't think you will reproduce this with a Jubilee clip. (ie I think it would be a bit of a bodge). The lines don't run all the way to the back of the car in one piece. If it was me, I would cut the rubber hose(s) to get the rack out, and fit new section(s) of the pipe(s) from the rack to the joint.

Well, after many days of trying I've eventually got the second pipe off. A large plank of wood, metal bar and a big hammer, unbelievable. So, all I need to do now is slide the power steering rack out. Bloody hell, I thought I was good at puzzles. Come in for a cup of tea as bloody thing doesn't seem to want to come out. I'm told it slides out the passengers side. I suppose this will take a day to figure out. Any ideas

Thanks Richard, it's the length of pipe between 18 and 2 that could do with replacing as the end of this pipe has only half a flange left. Do I assume that if item 2 is purchased, it comes with the aluminium pipe which fits into the power steering rack and two joints to enable me to resecure the whole thing back in place. If so do you have the part number and cost at all, thanks

Yes, it will come complete with the pipe which goes into the rack. It bl**dy well ought to, as it is £226.14 + VAT!! Part number 996.347.450.08. You will probably need the 'O' ring too (item 18) at £7.38 +VAT - Part number 999.230.542.40. Seems ridiculous, I know.

Jesus c****t, that's ridiculous. Now I've got both pipes out, think I will try and reuse. Whilst I've only got half of the flange left on one of the pipes, it was such a tight fit I will try to reuse it. Attached some more photos below. the reason I had to remove the rack was to replace the rusty steel pipes which transfer the fluid lef to right and vice versa. Interestingly, Porsche say these do not rust. When I look on the website, I find this is a common rust issue. On a second front, when I asked porsche for advice on which way the power steering rack is removed, they said you withdraw it from the passengers side. Impossible, there is no way it can be done. Eventually got it out of the drivers side opening. They have really not been very helpful at all. Neither was my indie. They also were only interested in replacing the rack complete. I have found a site that will re make the two pipes I need for around £35. Anyone know where I can get the track rod end ball joint rubbers. The universal ones I've seen on the Internet are incompatible. Do I have to go direct to Porsche and are they easy enough to fit or is a social tool required, thanks

Rusty pipes

The half flange section on either the supply or return pipe

The knackered track rod end rubber boots.

Porsche don't list the rubber boot separately.

With regard to the rubber hydraulic lines. A good hydraulic fitters would be able to remake / recrimp them I would think. many have mobile fitters (for lorries and the like). I would guess they would be a bit cheaper than the Porsche option! If you have the whole length of pipe then you could take it to them as a pattern. I had the low pressure side pipe burst on me (split crimped end) Jubilee clip working fine.

Yes, and the universal ones don't fit. Can't believe it. Nothing wrong with ball joints or track rod ends but whenever you try to remove them the rubbers always tend to split. So I've now got to buy two new track rod ends. Ridiculous.

Can't you get the rubbers/gators fro design 911

Just seen a complete rack with rods etc Steve strange eBay 68.00 gotta be a bargin