924Board.org

[goldhunter_2]

On my 1984 Porsche 944 we have been doing some needed maintenance oil, fuel filter, new tires, brakes, rotors ,bearings, clutch slave cylinder , air conditioning, upgraded the fans etc etc while the car was in the air we noticed the inner tie rods need to be replaced and are leaking fluid bad (outters are fine)

Now here is the problem every time I look up the tie rods I get the outter rod ends or manual tie rods this car has what I guess would be called a power assisted tie rod???? I assume there original but don't know. The best I can tell they have a cylinder type rear or inner section with fluid lines that use the brake/clutch resoiver which at this point needs to be filled every 1.5 days there is also a lot of play so it needs to be fixed very soon

Is there a place to buy rebuild kits for both left and right side inners or a place to just get replacements ? and what can I expect to pay for these? (web address links would help)

I tried to take some pictures but they just didn't come out all that good but maybe one of you pros will recognize them and help point me in the right direction.










_________________
1982 Porsche 924
1984 Porsche 944
97 suburban -- tows everything I trailer
WPB Airboat ----- goes anywhere I point it

[Slam]

While it's a little hard to decipher your post, it seems you have three separate issues. If the brake reservoir needs fluid every 1.5 days, then you probably have a leak in the clutch hydraulic system - it's good you're replacing the clutch slave, but how's the master? Is there brake fluid on the carpet near the driver's feet?

As for the steering rack leaks, you can get a rack rebuild/reseal kit and rebuild the rack yourself - it seems the outer seals are leaking (they're usually the first to go) - or just get a rebuilt rack. Try 944online and see what they offer. (IIRC there is a rebuilder who offers lifetime leak-free racks but I can't recall who.)

Last issue is the tie rods. Do a google search for complete tie rod assemblies, although you can just replace the tie rod and not the tie rod ends. Chances are that of the inner tie rods are done then the tie rod ends are done too, but you never know. Tie rods for 944s are relatively cheap and plentiful.

Good luck, and I hope this helps!
_________________
'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

[goldhunter_2]

First off thanks for the quick reply.

I replaced the clutch slave cylinder because it was leaking now all the slave cylinder, master cylinder and lines are dry, brake lines are dry only fluid now found is coming form the inner tie rods as I have been calling them (you said steering rack so maybe I need to search under that name)

a rebuild kit would be prefect and I assume the cheapest way that is really what I would like to find if possible, I may have just been searching under a improper name looking for inner tie rods instead of steering rack I'll try searching that name, thanks


I have done a search for complete tie rod assemblies and find plenty of them but they don't look like what the car has on it. if you look at the 4th picture you can see (if you look carefully) the inner section of this rod is not or does not appear to e to be a normal tie rod end .... sorry for the bad pictures there the best I could get
_________________
1982 Porsche 924
1984 Porsche 944
97 suburban -- tows everything I trailer
WPB Airboat ----- goes anywhere I point it

[joecitizennn]

The cheapest way to rebuild the rack is to dissassemble it and take the two outer seals, upper and lower valve box seals to a seal and bearing supplier. I resealed my rack for about 17 dollars. Granted this does not replace o-rings and bushings and any other tidbits the kit might include. In my case I decided I did not need all the extra stuff enough to go buy a whole kit.

[goldhunter_2]

if I take it apart I would be ok spending a 70 dollars compared to 270 for parts the mechanic quoted and I know it is lose so I probably need everything.

I am finding kits now looking under the correct name "steering rack" (thanks Slam) instead of inner tie rods . kits seem to average for 70 to 80 dollars form what I have found so far.
_________________
1982 Porsche 924
1984 Porsche 944
97 suburban -- tows everything I trailer
WPB Airboat ----- goes anywhere I point it

[Slam]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/944M/POR_944M_SUSstr_pg2.htm#item9

Part suffix M69

If you have a look at the tie rod, its removal procedure becomes apparent.

Used steering racks are cheap and plentiful, so you may consider picking up one to rebuild while you drive the car with the leaky one still in it. I'm a firm believer in redundance! I sure like the advice above about just part-matching the dead seals, I gotta say.
_________________
'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably

[goldhunter_2]

the car is a daily driver but looks like I could pull it out rebuild and replace in a day or weekend in the worst case.

more spare parts laying around here is something I just don't need ...lol
_________________
1982 Porsche 924
1984 Porsche 944
97 suburban -- tows everything I trailer
WPB Airboat ----- goes anywhere I point it

[Slam]

You know, on my 83 I just put in a power rack to replace the standard rack when it went south. I didn't even bother with any of the power steering claptrap. The car's heavy in parking lots, but it never leaks PS fluid...

My 84 leaks fluid and I'm just not going to do anything about it until it turns into Niagara Falls. They're just a PITA, these 944 power steering systems.

Getting the tie rods off can be fun because you need a fairly slim wrench to break them loose (36mm IIRC - anyone?), and if you measure carefully from wheel to wheel you can get the alignment in the ballpark so you can get to an alignment shop. Or do what my wife did and just drive across Saskatchewan first...
_________________
'84 944 - kid blew motor
'83 944 - resting comfortably. For 12 years
'87 944 - sideswiped by trucker
'80 924 - gone
'78 924 - gone
'77 924 - rusting comfortably