997.2 Steering Rack failures/replacements

[ppgrelli]

I have a 2011 C2S 997.2. At 16000 miles in 2014 the Porsche dealership identified a slight leak from the steering rack by way of some oil showing on the bellows. Under the extended warrantee a new rack was installed. Number 1!
Then to my surprise at 32000 miles in 2018 the same dealership identified the same problem and a second new replacement was fitted. The dealership said this was unusual (infact to obtain the second replacement took about 6 weeks), but as it was under extended warrantee there was not cost, and they seemed unconcerned.
It bothers me that a car such as Porsche should be on its 3rd steering rack after 32000 miles. Am I just unlucky, or is there an underlying reason that anyone can think of?

 

[Geoff_Fields]

The dealership was unconcerned because they were being paid to do the work! It is certainly not unusual but common. I have seen many 997/987 etc. steering racks with damp marks on the bellows. Some at just one end and others at both ends. My current car has had the same issue for 6 years, which the dealership would love to replace at £1500 even though the power steering fluid never needs topping up between 2 year service cycles.

 

[jmaddox]

My previous Cayman had this issue for the 3 years I owned it and like Geoff's car it didn't use any fluid between annual services. A previous 993 lost a lot of fluid (None on the garage floor though) and I took the rack out and took it to Western Power Steering who reconditioned it. I have never heard of requiring two replacements at such low mileage.

 

[ppgrelli]

Thanks Geoff and John for your posts. When I was told they needed to change the second rack, I expressed real surprise, asking if they found this odd and perhaps there was an underlying cause like the power steering pump over pressurising due to a bad relief valve. My comment was pretty much dismissed - "I'm sure our technicians will consider that" and "it's odd, but insured.." etc.
Also, there was never a visible leak on either occasion, ie oil drips on the garage floor, and even though I take the wheels off regularly to clean them, I did not witness the "damp rack boot".
Lets see if any other words of wisdom come from the forum - thanks again.

 

[Rodney Naghar]

Geoff is probably right. If they sniff a drop of oil and know they can easily expense it, then it's easy money for them and the client is happy too.

Ite likely that under normal circumstances an Indy wouldn't have flagged it up at all.

 

[Lancerlot]

During normal circumstances, your OPC sees the vehicle for service only every second year, so there seems to be a good case for taking preventative measures in order to avoid a major failure in between.
Regards,
Clive

 

[ppgrelli]

Yes, thanks Clive of course the OPC is doing what its there to do to give the best service. With an MOT inbetween they do see the car each year. But coming back to the original post, it does not explain the apparant poor reliability of the steering rack. 16,000 miles each - not good.
I guess this will remain a mystery..

Thanks