Dedlyvirus

i know this has been covered before, but i just want to make sure i got it right. You can buy a manual steering rack to replace the power steering, and thats it? When you buy a manual steering rack it comes with everything you need to install it? My car now has power steering, and it was leaking bad. I was looking for the leak and now i took out just about everything, except tie rods on both sides, because i had trouble taking out the inner tie rods. I saw people posting for the manual steering rack and saying how much better it is. What are the advantages over the power steering? Any input would be great. Ide love to get rid of the power steering.

ATRON3000

look for the thread about depowering your ps rack... a better option in my view... and if you need new inner and outer tie rods I can get them for you really cheap down here

The CzAR

iTrader: (16)

^No.
Don't depower your ps rack. The gearing ratios are different in the power and manual racks (1:10 and 1:16 I believe, meaning you will be doing more work trying to turn with a depowered rack) so although you can depower if you want, the best option is to do yourself a favor and just pick up a manual steering rack.

I just switched mine over to manual about a month ago and I love it. Yes, all you need is the manual rack and you'll be set. It's really pretty straight forward. I've attached a picture of a manual steering rack in case you're a visual guy like me.

Good luck.

ATRON3000

To each their own...

get the proper info and make a decision yourself... https://www.rx7club.com/2nd-gen-archive-72/how-de-power-your-steering-rack-right-way-440198/

remember you already have the PS rack so it really doesnt cost you anything to try and depower it and see how you like it.

I love mine

depowered takes more effort to turn, but for shorter amounts of time than a manual... but that is at higher speeds... depowered does take some getting used to at parking lot speeds... but I'm a strong guy so its never been a problem for me.

nitronatefc

iTrader: (2)

^^^^

Follow that link. I depowered my 15.2:1 rack in my 87 TII and had a 300mm MOMO steering wheel (which is super small). I had no problems driving the car. Remember, once the car is moving, even very slowly, the steering eases up a lot. The power steering racks spin 2 1/2 turns lock-to-lock. The manual rack I believe is 3 1/2 turns. This means with a manual rack you have to physically turn the wheel further to turn the car, which can become a problem if you autocross or race your car on a tight circuit.

And the manual rack has a different right-side tie rod than the power racks, so you would need to buy that as well if you plan to swap. See here:

http://www.mazdatrix.com/hsteer2.htm

funkjaw

iTrader: (3)

Advantages:

PS - Easier to steer, easier to drive, easier to race, easier/better for drift, easier/better for touge.

De-Powered - Great feel and steering ratio

Manual - Great feel, easier to turn than a De-powered unit.

My opinion after owning and racing in all 3 setups? I like an S4 PS type system, its like cheating especially for extreme steering conditions such as touge and drift.

The CzAR

iTrader: (16)

Did you guys depower it by welding (there was a writeup floating around a while ago on how to do a proper depower) or did you just loop the lines? Looping the lines is lazy if you ask me.

The CzAR

iTrader: (16)

?? If he gets a complete manual rack then he won't need anything else.

Dedlyvirus

how do you know what your ratio is? its an 86 n/a gxl.
if i depower or swap in a manual rack, and i leave out the a/c compressor, will there be a noticable power increase in the engine? or not really? i figure im losing 2 belts and 4 pulleys that it wont have to spin...just wondering.

funkjaw

iTrader: (3)

^ In my opinion you will not notice any bit of power difference. Maybe my butt dyno just isn't sensitive enough who knows.

Dedlyvirus

i was lookin at my car after i took the power steering pump out, and the ac compressor, and since im not reinstalling the ac compressor or power steering pump, i took out all the hoses and everything. i took out the ac condenser also. i noticed that i unhooked two hoses, that im not sure where they go to. But they go up front in front of the oil cooler and loop there. Its like one end just runs up front and loops around and ends up at the other end. its kinda hard to describe. anyway, i was wondering what is the purpose of having it loop up front, and what it actually goes to. i think its part of the power steering pump, but im not 100 percent sure, and i want to be sure before i take it off. thanks.

Spirit-RE

iTrader: (25)

Its for cooling the power steering system.

Dedlyvirus

yeah, thats what i thought, but wasnt sure. thanks guys for all your help.

misterstyx69

iTrader: (142)

You will need a MOUNT for the Manual rack.
the mount that hold the rack onto the frame.,Seeing that the Power rack is bigger,the mounts are bigger.The power rack has 4 bolts on one side(driver's) and 2 bolts for the mount on the Passenger side to secure the rack to the frame...I belive that you need the mounts that have 2 holes each side( make sure of that though,it has been awhile),.
check the parts numbers on that..
ALSO,The Tie rod ends are different on one side.