Pressurized Power Steering Pipe

I suspect this is one for Richard but if anyone else knows the answer I would appreciate any advice. My '99 996 C2 has suffered a catastrophic failure of the pressurized power steering pipe (996 347 452 04). Cost from Porsche is around £500 even with discount so I'm interested in alternatives. (Some breakers will tell you these are too fragile to remove others have a different opinion which always makes one wary). I notice a number of sellers have surplus C4/Turbo versions - 996 347 452 07. I realize trying to fit a C2 version to a C4 version is unlikely to fit but perhaps the opposite is not true "" can one fit the C4 version to a C2?

Hi Matthew As you say Richard should be along soon, But if you are planning to do the job yourself, then my first port of call would be firms like Pirtek, I'm sure they would be able to replicate any hose at a reasonable cost. Best of luck Andy

The answer is that I don't have a clue! One would think that the pipes are significantly different in some way for each model, given they have different numbers, and if any were interchangeable then they would have a common number. I doubt Porsche would stock any more variants than they need to. By the way, it looks to me like the pressure line for a pre-2001 996 C2 should be 996.347.452.04. The .07 part number is for a 2002 car and has been superseded by .08. Weirdly, you have the most expensive version, as other variants are around £250. I would give Andy's suggestion a try.

Gentlemen, Thank you. I am trying the "pre-owned" route first. Only time will tell if this is a wise choice. The failure is the crimped flexible to solid joint at the rack end so I'll try to preserve the pipes integrity for someone such as Pirtek should the "pre-loved" route prove unsatisfactory. Thanks again.