Manual steering rack
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Florida
I have a Manual Steering Rack on my 87 TII, but it was done by the previous owner so I can't tell you much about it. Streering is nice and soft. Soft enough to autocross with, if you wanted to. It only gets a little hard when you are standing still.
Originally posted by skydivr73
couldnt you just leave the ps system alone and take off the belt? I am not trying to sound like a noob, but will that steering rack function properly like that? any drawbacks?
couldnt you just leave the ps system alone and take off the belt? I am not trying to sound like a noob, but will that steering rack function properly like that? any drawbacks?
You could do that, but it would cause damage to the steering rack. The amount of torque against driver input on an assisted rack is much more than the torque against driver input on a non-assisted rack. What ends up happening is the point where the steering shaft meets the rack expands and cracks... (The system breaks at the weakest point). So to be extreme, you could be driving down the road and end up with no steering input at all because the steering column broke away from the steering rack.
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Zoom Zoom Boom!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Yup, if you're going to do it right, swap it for a manual. Plus its a bit lighter too if that matters and has a cleaner look then a plugged up PS rack.
With the PS rack removed and drained, it has something like 2.7 from lock to lock or around there so it will be a bit harder to turn than a manual rack since it has 3.5 turns. Make sure its drained though and with some fluid left. A PS rack that is not drained at all is a PITA to turn.
I've had PS on my '88 SE and a manual rack on my '87 TII. There are pros and cons for both.
With the PS rack removed and drained, it has something like 2.7 from lock to lock or around there so it will be a bit harder to turn than a manual rack since it has 3.5 turns. Make sure its drained though and with some fluid left. A PS rack that is not drained at all is a PITA to turn.
I've had PS on my '88 SE and a manual rack on my '87 TII. There are pros and cons for both.
Former Moderator. RIP Icemark.
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 25,896
Likes: 24
From: Rohnert Park CA
Originally posted by LordMethoz
I have a Manual Steering Rack on my 87 TII, but it was done by the previous owner so I can't tell you much about it.
I have a Manual Steering Rack on my 87 TII, but it was done by the previous owner so I can't tell you much about it.
Rotary Enthusiast
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,203
Likes: 0
From: Boston
I had a p/s rack and then the p/s pump was removed and all the lines were just capped and ****. It looks pretty terrible and the streering is an extreme pain in the ***. Ive acutally almost gotten into accident becuase of how hard it is to turn. Im going to be switching to a manual rack very soon.
Any idea how hard it is to replace the steering racks?
Any idea how hard it is to replace the steering racks?
Zoom Zoom Boom!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
Originally posted by RylAssassin
OMG
Mazdatrix wants almost 500 bucks for a manual rack!!
Anyone know where i can get one cheap??
OMG
Mazdatrix wants almost 500 bucks for a manual rack!!
Anyone know where i can get one cheap??
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 441
Likes: 1
From: Baton Rouge, LA USA
Rebuilt manual racks can be had at your local auto parts stores for about $220. You must give them a core though or pay about another $75. I bet you could get them to take your old power rack as a core if you put it in a box that's open on only one end 
I Raise Chickens
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,219
Likes: 35
From: Half Moon Bay, CA
you can put a manual rack in a PS car. The only difference is the bracket on the passenger side. You must have the manual style bracket. So if you get a junk yard one, dont forget to take the brackets!
