Power steering rebuild

[Belgian951]

I am looking at a complete power steering system rebuild on my 1986 951. The more I read about the undertaking, the less happy I get.

My biggest question is can I do this without a car lift? I normally lift the car from the front by putting the jack undrt the crossmember. But that's the area i will have to work on now.

I also read that there is a tool available to lock the steering wheel, so I dont have to mark the connection?

And there is a possibility to just cut off the leaky hose of the return line as opposed to buying the whole 300 eur part. What are the specs for this line?

Hope to get some insight.

[Black944 turbo]

Obviously I am having an issue with mine right now, but to answer your questions. Yes, you can easily do the job with the car on jack stands. If the question is, do you have to raise the car at all? I would say you would be hard pressed getting it done all on the ground.

As far as the hose, they can be rebuilt. Be very careful that the hose is identical in the inner diameter. If the hose is slightly off it can cause some weird issues.

[Belgian951]

Thanks, I saw your thread but did not want to derail it.

Good to know I can do it with a jack.
Thanks for the tip for the hose.

I'm debating to do the work now or save it for another time. To make a decision, I would want to know whether it is possible to drive around with the rack out of order. If I remove the PS pump belt, drain all the fluid (by moving the steering wheel and placing a catch tray - reservoir is empty already), can I drive without destroying rack and pump?

[Black944 turbo]

There are several old write ups on depowering our racks. May want to do a google search on it. I personally don’t know what it takes to do it but it has been done many times.

I have never seen it done and I am not sure how well it works either.

[spacecad3t]

I converted my 87 NA to manual rack this year. I used a lift, made the job much easier to manage. Also had some friends/family come by and help. Anyways- I wouldn't recommend doing a dirty "depower", the rack internals are not really intended for that.

Not a sales pitch: I went with this kit: https://mwthemachineshop.com/steering-solutions

They were quick to ship and supported a few questions by text, which was nice. The kit is actually very nice! I followed up with a 1600 mile road trip along some intense back roads, where I really enjoyed the tighter steering and enhanced road feel. In fact, I was doing 90 at one point and felt the slightest of vibration, stopped, and found 1 lug nut just shy of tight... torqued, vibration gone.

Now, you will fight the car parallel parking. I replaced the stock steering wheel with a larger 380mm Sparco with momo mount. That helped a little. I also own 2 cars without PS, so Im use to it.

Here are some photos of the kit installed. If you look close you can see my bloated ass sway bar bushing from a many year shower of steering fluid...

[hksig951]

I converted my ‘86 951 to this same kit two years ago. Fortunately had a buddy with a two post hoist - much easier installation. I would agree that parking lot type maneuvering builds your upper body muscles but once you are up to speed - corners are a joy