This is a spare steering rack from a 73 914. I removed the old tie rods and boots. Is this salvageable or boat anchor material? Click to view attachment Click to view attachment

Looks like salt corrosion. Pits in the shaft will let the fluid past the seal. My personal choice is boat anchor.

If you live on the East coast like me, then I consider that just dirty.......

Clean it up, save it or use it. just needs a little work.

The pitting will always show, but I don't think it will affect its function. It would make me question the condition of the innards, I'd open that thing up and rebuilt it.

http://www.performanceforum.com/wesvann/91...ering-rack.html

I did mine with tips from this website, not too hard of a job.

No fluid in the unit, so not to worry about that. The pits will show. It is a hardened steel. The real issue is not the pitting, but the internals. If it was underwater there will be galvanic corrosion between the housing and the bearing metal. Take it apart. Perhaps the grease did save it, but only one way to know. I do offer a rebuild service if salvageable.

I also offer the pucks and make the upper bearings and rubber that are NLA.