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Steering rack replacement

pretzel

pretzel

New member
Hi there all..I am infrequent poster here as I'm normally too busy enjoying my Cayman :) Anyhow, I've just had a major service (4 yrs) carried out by my local OPC on my late gen 1 Cayman at 36.5K miles. My car is not covered by the 'bumper to bumper' warranty as I chose not to continue after the initial 2 years.

Among the advisories I was notified on the service report was that the front discs and pads require replacement soon and as there is some fluid witness on one of the steering rack gaiters the steering rack will need replacement.

I can understand the brakes thing and have seen others comment that the life of these is about 40K miles and am prepared for this from a financial standpoint.

I am a bit surprised (to say the least!) about the steering rack. I have searched this and the Boxster forums and not found any reference that the rack is a vulnerable or fast wearing item. Would anyone like to advise on this before I empty my bank account (again).

Many thanks in advance.

Pete B.
 
Surprised steering rack needs replacement after only 40k miles. It's the first I've heard of having to replace a a steering rack at such a low mileage. As you don't have the OPC warranty, a visit to an independent may ease the pain of a replacement, plus can give you some better feedback as to the issue.
 
Like uknick I'm very surprised about the rack, best to get it looked at by a local Indy to be sure it's not a witness from a minor leak off something, if it's split gaiter could just be some grease, whatever best check it and have them do the brakes too when actually needed they'll save you quite a bit on both jobs.
 
Many thanks for the replies guys. It is my intention to go to a local indy on the rack issue for adivice in case it is something minor that has manifested itself as a witness of seepage on the nearside gaiter. I think maybe the OPC has been a bit quick to just say 'replace rack'. Will keep you posted in case the diagnosis could help anyone else. Pete B.
 
Pete, If, like most of us you are trying to maintain a main dealer service history it is often most economical to use an indi for the none book stuff and the recorded items in the maintenance record at get done at the OPC. Check the record in your book and you will see the items which are kept on record, services, plugs, belts, brake fluid change etc. Other stuff can save you quite a bit.[:D][:D]
 
Hi Buddy, That is precisely what I am doing. I thought it wise to have the OPC do the major service as I get the stamp and I know they are very thorough with what they check, not least because there is an opportunity for them to pick up any work notified on the advisories. The OPC know that I will probably use my local indi - he is well known to them as he was one of their experienced technicains before setting up on his own a number of years back. He has a very good reputation too, and will only use Porsche parts unless specifically instructed to do otherwise. The OPC has requested that I give them the opportunity to compete on price and I will do just that. I did this with the service too and was able to negotiate a reasonably significant discount. A very enlightened view in my opinion, rather than the take it or leave it approach I have heard tales of elsewhere. Pete B.
 
I have just had the steering rack replaced on my 2008 Boxster which has only done 30000 miles, by the OPC at Cardiff. The car went in for a service and I was told there was fluid leaking into a gaiter and the only option was to replace the rack at a cost of £1300. Luckily the car was under warranty (not Porsche) and they have paid for the work.
 
Sounds as though there could be a problem batch of racks as both these are late Gen 1 Caymans, parts are 996/997 numbers but the seals are separate items which according to the PET lists are replaceable, at least they have their own part numbers. Maybe it's policy to change the rack in case it's indicative of other problems, or the time taken to strip and rebuild test etc just comes close to equal replacing. Maybe the 997 has had the same problem.
 
All Just had my 2006 Cayman S Gen 1 diagnosed with oil leaking from the steering rack. Cost £1500 Mileage 21,000 luckily under warranty. Could the poor state of British roads be responsible? Trevor
 
Hi Folks Just found out that www.porscheshop.co.uk sell refurbished steering racks for Caymans for £343.00 exchange. That's a massive saving on new cost. Might be worth a look if you need one out of warranty Trevor
 
I'm just wondering if this type of problem is more prevalent on Cayman S cars fitted with 19" rims due to the increased loads imposed by the bigger wheels (greater mass and inertia). It always seems a pity to have to replace a complete rack due to the failure of a tuppeny-ha'penny seal. A refurbished rack sounds like a more sensible solution if there's no warranty in place. Jeff
 
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