Planet 9

I just took delivery of my '06 Cayman S last week. After reading the forums its apparent if you are going to track this car the power steering overheat issue has to be addressed. My first track event is this week and I haven't had a chance to do one of the cures listed on this site. My question is will I amost be guaranteed to have a problem if I track it without addressing the issue? If I am almost certain to have a failure I might need to rethink attending this DE.

No - you are not almost certain to have a problem. Several members have tracked their unmodified cars extensively with no problems. I have no idea what the ratio of problem cars to no-problem cars might be, but I'd guess 50-50.

Good luck!

The first thing you need to do is check the power steering fluid, and top it off if needed.

I did track my car a couple of times stock witout any problems. My track sessions are only 20 minutes long. There is a big difference between 20 and 30 minutes as far as overheating componenets on a car.

Make sure you flush the brake fluid.

Go have fun!

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Having fun in Puerto Rico

If you've read through the existing threads on this subject (particularly this one: http://www.planetporsche.net/cayman-...big-bucks.html but there are others) then you already know that it depends on a number of factors...

How experienced of a driver you are (smoothness at speed), what run group you'll be running in (speaks to experience and speed on the track), whether or not you've made suspension modifications to the front, and are running street or R-comp tires (substantially more grip in the front will put more strain on the system), the length of the run sessions, track configuration, and the ambient temperature on the day you're running. All of these factors seem to play a part in these failures to some extent, and you can mix and match them at will.

On the other hand, as I posted in the thread I mentioned, I've run my car (stock except for R-comp tires) in more than 25 DEs in the instructor's/advanced groups, in temperatures as high as 110 degrees, and not ever had a power steering problem. There are many other I know of who have done DEs and not had a problem. Yet, others have run one DE and had a PS steering failure.

I wish I had a definitive answer for you, but I don't think anyone really does.

brad

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22-year PCA Member
PCA DE Instructor

Outside temperature, RPM, and steering input all play a part. If it is your first track day and it is not 90+ degrees you are probably OK. You have control of the last 2 so it is possible to minimize the heat up. Make sure you have your PS fluid (The correct fluid) at the correct level (top line) and bring some extra with you so you can check it at the track. I have not had an issue yet but plan to change the pulley once the car is out of warranty.

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2006 Cayman S (Artic Silver) To check out my CS click here

There is an old saying. "An unsatisfied customer will tell 10 people about their problem and a satisfied customer will tell 1 person about their good experience."

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2006 Cayman S (Artic Silver) To check out my CS click here