3.0 16V engine mods, etc

[Thom]

It seems the last mechanical "big" part still original on the car and that I never touched is eventually on its way out - in the last months a tiny amount of play has developed in the steering which seems to come from the steering rack. Before forking out for a reconditioned rack, is there possibly a miracle way to fix this without replacing the rack? I guess not but prefer to ask first.

[Darwin]

It seems the last mechanical "big" part still original on the car and that I never touched is eventually on its way out - in the last months a tiny amount of play has developed in the steering which seems to come from the steering rack. Before forking out for a reconditioned rack, is there possibly a miracle way to fix this without replacing the rack? I guess not but prefer to ask first.

Honestly haven't heard many people complain about play in their rack. Usually its leakage of some type somewhere. How bad is it? I was in your neck of the woods in July. Flew into Frankfurt, took a train to Stuttgart, then drove S/SE. Stayed in Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Barcelonnette while hitting as many passes as I could in my friends 968CS!

[cp99]

Is it just the steering rack bushing that needs to be replaced? There is a harder version available.

[Thom]

I have not investigated much except make sure it was not caused by anything loose between the rack itself and the steering wheel. I will have a look at it at the next oil change, and that should be very soon.

Good point re the bushings, I will check them as well.

@Darwin
Sounds like you had a great time. Interestingly another Carpoke contributor was here earlier this week and had a passenger ride in my car...

[Tom]

Put the car on a rack and watch underneath as someone turns the steering wheel. You should be able to see where the play develops. You'll see something rotating with the wheel on one side, but not resulting in resulting movement on the other side. Check the u-joints on the linkage itself too....

[333pg333]

@Darwin
Sounds like you had a great time. Interestingly another Carpoke contributor was here earlier this week and had a passenger ride in my car...

I own up to being this person. Thom kindly took time out of his day to take me for a drive out of Paris and showcase his fantastic 944t 16v turbo. Wow, what an absolute rocket it is!! I haven't been in a faster road car ever. Spinning the rears easily in 3rd gear had me gripping the seat and arm rest as best i could. I'm not sure how fast we went but we got there very quickly. When you sit in the passenger seat on the opposite side that you're accustomed to things feel even faster than when driving yourself. Thom offered me to drive it too however my travel insurance didn't cover me and the thought of something going wrong was too much to risk. The car seems to have minimal lag and quickly gets going at any right foot urging. With the longer 6th cog it makes a fantastic cruising GT. With the other gears it shows 99% of other cars it's tail-lights!

Thanks again Thom for a great morning. Certainly provided me with some impetus to get mine going again too.

[blueline]

@Darwin
Sounds like you had a great time. Interestingly another Carpoke contributor was here earlier this week and had a passenger ride in my car...

I own up to being this person. Thom kindly took time out of his day to take me for a drive out of Paris and showcase his fantastic 944t 16v turbo. Wow, what an absolute rocket it is!! I haven't been in a faster road car ever. Spinning the rears easily in 3rd gear had me gripping the seat and arm rest as best i could. I'm not sure how fast we went but we got there very quickly. When you sit in the passenger seat on the opposite side that you're accustomed to things feel even faster than when driving yourself. Thom offered me to drive it too however my travel insurance didn't cover me and the thought of something going wrong was too much to risk. The car seems to have minimal lag and quickly gets going at any right foot urging. With the longer 6th cog it makes a fantastic cruising GT. With the other gears it shows 99% of other cars it's tail-lights!

Thanks again Thom for a great morning. Certainly provided me with some impetus to get mine going again too.

That's awesome! A visit to Europe from afar, the fantastic ride in a fantastic car, the Carpokes connection. Nice!

[Tom]

@Darwin
Sounds like you had a great time. Interestingly another Carpoke contributor was here earlier this week and had a passenger ride in my car...

I own up to being this person. Thom kindly took time out of his day to take me for a drive out of Paris and showcase his fantastic 944t 16v turbo. Wow, what an absolute rocket it is!! I haven't been in a faster road car ever. Spinning the rears easily in 3rd gear had me gripping the seat and arm rest as best i could. I'm not sure how fast we went but we got there very quickly. When you sit in the passenger seat on the opposite side that you're accustomed to things feel even faster than when driving yourself. Thom offered me to drive it too however my travel insurance didn't cover me and the thought of something going wrong was too much to risk. The car seems to have minimal lag and quickly gets going at any right foot urging. With the longer 6th cog it makes a fantastic cruising GT. With the other gears it shows 99% of other cars it's tail-lights!

Thanks again Thom for a great morning. Certainly provided me with some impetus to get mine going again too.

That's awesome! A visit to Europe from afar, the fantastic ride in a fantastic car, the Carpokes connection. Nice!

These two have been 944'ing on the internet since Gork first invented the wheel. For street and race cars, respectively, Thom and Patrick are senior statesmen extraordinaire....

[944m3]

100%

[Thom]

Well, thanks Patrick for the kind words. It was good to see you again and somewhat "share" my car with you for a couple of hours though I wish you would have driven it to get a fuller picture. Beyond the heart-in-mouth performance on full load I think you also appreciated that it was still a very compliant and mostly comfortable road car on the diverse roads we drove it on and as you noticed a terrific cruiser thanks to the engine's response and the tall 6th gear.
If at least this gave you some motivation to complete yours sooner than later, even if it is a widely different project, then I consider this jaunt a success.

For street and race cars, respectively, Thom and Patrick are senior statesmen extraordinaire...

In my case that sounds widely exaggerated but I appreciate the kind words, thank you Sir!