[billmiranda]

Hello Gents (and Ladies),
Just joined the forums and was wondering if anyone has done a rack and pinion replacement. I'm going to be under my car (2000 C2 Cabrio) this weekend to see if it's one of the hoses or something more serious... that may require a full replacement of the rack and pinion. Since I always like to plan for worse-case-scenario.. are there any special tools I may need or would I have to take it somewhere that has access to PIWIS? Seems fairly straightforward.

I'm thinking it's (hopefully) the hose as it just seemed to be pouring out when I had my car inspected (initially thought I had blown the hose on the washer reservior AGAIN.. but no,. it was hydraulic oil). Just haven't had time to get under there and look at it so it's been parked.

Thanks for any info and I look forward to contributing to the group when I can!

-Bill

[N0tt0N]

No electronic tools needed. If it comes to replacing the steering rack you'll need some hefty sockets and breaker bars for the body bolts that have to be removed. Nothing daunting if you're worked on cars before. The hydraulic lines can be a bit of a bear to separate from the rack if they've never been off

[HughA44s]

If you do replace the rack, plan on flushing it at least twice before you put in a fill you plan on using for awhile. Unless it has been changed that fluid is dirty - really dirty and a simple drain will not take care of it.

[billmiranda]

Yeah,.. I'll flush.. but this thing has been leaking slowly,.. And I've been just adding fluid to her (the CH-11 I think?).. the fluid that was coming out was nice and clear lol. I had thought initially that it was the reservoir and was NOT looking forward to attempting that,.. especially without a lift.. but I actually think that the rack and pinion will be easier. I think I will basically order the rack,.. if that IS what is needed and sit them side by side and get them as closely matched as possible... then get everything aligned. If it's the hose those,.. crazy but,.. seems that's more expensive than the rack! After core charge,.. the rebuilt from Zims.. or a couple of other Rack specialists is about $280! The hose I saw (didn't rally look too hard, i'll admit) was over 2x that.. OUCH!

Thanks... I will keep y'all appraised of the situation!

Bill

Had to edit this,.. the hose isn't bad,.. I had looked briefly at the Porsche site.. bad move.. it's like $250.. not too painful!

[N0tt0N]

The reservoir is at the other end of the car. Where's the leak, exactly?

[BillC]

The important thing is to find out exactly where the leak is. My first Cayman had a power steering fluid leak that looked like it was the rack. Turned out it was actually the seal where the pressure line goes into the rack. Needed to get new lines, but the rack was fine.

[billmiranda]

I looked under the car but here's the deal,.. I think that putting it up the rack at inspection just showed a leak that we all thought was worse than what it is... it has been leaking since I bought the car.. I would refill the reservoir about every few months. Currently,.. the reservoir is full,.. no PS squeal or anything so I didn't even pull the bottom panels off (and to be honest, got bitten by about 10 mosquitoes just walking to the car - I live in the woods - and lost all interest in doing any extended work out there). It is leaking from the front but not having the panels off,.. not sure from where. I will have a series of days off soon so I will have time to pull off the panels and see where it is leaking explicitly. That's also when I will be pulling the Windshield/headlight pumps to check why they are not functioning.

[N0tt0N]

Good luck!