Porsche Enthusiasts Club Forum

Hi all,

Did all 944's have power steering from launch? Or was it an option? or become standard later on?

I curious coz I drove from my home in Newcastle Upon Tyne to my parents in North Wales last night in my 87 Lux and thing that the steering got heavier as the journey went on! Has my power steering faulted if I have it? If so, what should I be looking for? (leaks etc?) and where should I be looking? If the power steering has gone, will it come to any harm if I drive another 500+ miles with it as it is? I don't really have any spare cash to fix it this week and would rather wait and take it to Tom Ferguson back in Gateshead anyhow!

Hope this isn't too stupid a thread?!

No it was only standard from the 1985 model year onwards. Separately; a number of 'options' were 'standard' on UK cars, especially later in the models life. You couldnt order a car without them but they were itemised individually on the invoice.

A 1987 UK car will have a power rack. Id either top up the fluid or remove the belt driving the pump until you can get the problem rectified.

Simon

Turns out that the power steering belt was missing (must have broken), although the fluid is pretty murky too. Getting the belt replaced by my old trusted mechanic now and will either have a go at changing the fluid myself or get TF on the case when I can afford to get the front antiroll bar re-unstated.

The steering is pretty heavy without the assistance, although not as bad as some cars can be when the power steering is off. So what is the non-power steering car like? I'm sure that the gearing is different in the non-power steering set up to compensate, but how heavy is the steering at manuvering speeds and is there any extra feel when on the move? Just curious rather that considering making any changes!

Cheers

I have a 1986 Lux without power steering. It's heavy! Actually as with most cars with no PAS it's fine once you're on the move, it's only in car parks where it's any kind of issue.

Having said that I'm currently on the lookout for an S2 for two reasons. Firstly the power steering would be a big improvement and secondly I'd like more poweeeer! It's my first porsche and I've decided I like it so much as my everyday car I'd like to put a bit more money in to fully enjoy the experience!

I've driven an early 944 with no PAS & it was Bl00dy heavy, & I was bought up on old commercials & similar.
If it has no belt the pump may well be seized. Jon Mitchell does them as recons for sensible money.

You can buy cheap new pumps from Club autosport & porsche shop. DONT. Pay an extra £50 from Jon Mitchel & get one that works! I've been there I promise it will transform your steering

The only problem with the loud pedal on the S2 is the fuel consumption. I only get about 21mpg out of my S2 around town, and I swear to God I try to granny it to improve the fuel consumption. But the devil in me is always going "Go on lad, give it some poke" so I do. It brings a smile to my face when I do but the fuel consumption takes a battering . (All done within the UK speed limits as specified with the highway code I hasten to add )

I took my brother out for a drive tonight and he normally drives a BMW 330CI. Now thats a fairly rapid car IMO, but he was mighty impressed with the acceleration, braking and balance of the car considering its 20 years. He was also quite taken with the styilng inside and out.

Ben

An unassisted car is pretty much the same to drive as an assisted car thats thrown its belt. Theyre spot-on when youre moving, but just as heavy when youre parking.

Interesting. I'm surprised that there seems to be no change in the gearing between the PAS and non-Pass cars. I got mine sorted out, the belt must have broken on the way down to Wales coz the steering was fine at parking speeds when I left. So I don't think I'll be needing a pump just yet. I need to get the belts and tensioners done next, then get a front anti-roll bar fitted along with some tweaks to the front suspension set up, then the remote central locking, not to mention the noisy 'box, and refurbing my D90's, should probably get the sills and rear arches sorted sooner than later, and a good dollop of waxoil underneath seeing as how I live by the coast, then maybe sort out the interior a bit, your know the clock, the.......