RDS928S

Anyone know if this product is effective?
"reccomended by Porsche for 95 993 with 18' wheels"
http://www.paragon-products.com/prod...-strut-kit.htm
Thanks Rich

Mark in Baltimore

it's the same factory piece with the longer bolts.

Brace for steering rack brace: 993-347-131-02

Bolts (you'll need 2): 999-218-103-09

Al Z

It looks like the one I installed on my old red 993, which i purchased from gert.
It does come with the longer bolts needed to install.
Easy install, maybe 20 min.
AL Z

993Brendan

Hey Al- you happen to remember if you installed one on your old silver 993

Al Z

Hi Brendan,
Its been quite a while, but I am pretty positive it already had one installed when I purchased the car from the previous owner.
BTW, I may be getting an other 95 polar silver 993.
Will keep you posted.
AL Z

AOW162435

Rich,
I'm certain you can get the brace & bolts for less from Sunset Porsche. The install is very easy.

Andreas

RDS928S

ok great Sunset it is then.

But do they work or is it necessary if you have 18 inch wheels?

Thanks

AOW162435

I believe they became standard issue after '95.

Andreas

Nuff

Put one in my early '95. No problems. Took longer to remove the tray.

The brace is recommended for later '95s based on a TSB. It isn't recommended for early '95s. I didn't find that out until after I bought mine. Lots of threads discuss this issue and most people have been able to install the brace on their early '95s. A couple of guys had early '95s and said it didn't fit because some lines were in the way. I didn't have any problems. IIRC, there is a good photo that shows the install location.

DesertBighorn

I've seen a lot of threads that say you should do this, but I haven't seen why? What is the problem that the rack brace solves or prevents? Is it a handling issue or preventitive for a failure?

Nuff

Check this out:
http://p-car.com/technical/wheel.htm

RDS928S

I want to know what does this thing actually do?

Thaks Rich

AOW162435

I have a 6/94 build date and the brace went on without a hitch. I have a feeling the brace is meant to reinforce the steering rack mounting points.

Andreas

cowtown

I agree, no problem at all with early cars. My build date is 9/94. It's a good "while you're in there" thing when replacing the leaky rack.

Nuff

The steering rack brace goes between the two points where the steering arms join to the rack. Its purpose is to stop damage to the rack - steering arm attachment points. A few people here have noted that their 95s on 18" wheels were creaking during slow U-turns (full lock). Once the steering rack brace was installed, the creaking went away.

TSB 4440 # 9604 says that you shouldn't use 18" wheels on if your VIN is prior to 323614 (early 1995). If you have a '95 after that VIN number, then you could use 18" wheels provided you install the brace. Some have said that this was a warranty issue - PNA didn't want to have to add the steering brace in all '95s (the later '95s have some other minor suspension changes).

There have also been some discussions regarding a later TSB that said 18" wheels were OK regardless of whether the brace is installed.

Personally, I'm not sure if it actually does anything or not. But for $40, I figure it couldn't hurt.