power steering removal?
#1
r o t a r y
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power steering removal?
I know some people remove their power steering. I'm thinking about doing this.
Is this hard to do? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
All I know is that low speed steering would be more difficult, but you have better road feel. I have no idea what's involved or if it's worth it.
Is this hard to do? What are the advantages/disadvantages?
All I know is that low speed steering would be more difficult, but you have better road feel. I have no idea what's involved or if it's worth it.
#2
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theres a guy on here who has archived how to do it just search there I think his name is Black nafc or something like that. Right now I still have my pump in the car without a belt on it. Low speeds are harder to turn but after about 8mph its a good feel but mine is not done the right way, in his writeup the system is depowered by pulling the rack tie rods draining fluid packing it with grease etc.. its pretty complicated I just havent found the time. Does anyone know an easier way. I want to remove the pump. Can I just connect a hose between where the 2 hoses from the pump go to. I really dont mind the way it feels now without a belt but I want to pull the pump out. Ill eventually get to doing it the right way.
#4
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do you want to depower your power steering? or swap a manual rack?
If all you want is a manual rack, its super easy. remove EVERYTHING you can see connected to the power steering pump, when done, remove steering rack, install manual rack in its place, hook up steering crap done.
and... dont forget to remove the PS computer under the driver side dash... that can get real old real fast, trust me!
If all you want is a manual rack, its super easy. remove EVERYTHING you can see connected to the power steering pump, when done, remove steering rack, install manual rack in its place, hook up steering crap done.
and... dont forget to remove the PS computer under the driver side dash... that can get real old real fast, trust me!
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#12
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Looping the lines is the way that it's most commonly done. It's not reccomeded just to run with the pump belt off, it'll be much harder to turn than if you take it out. Taking the rack apart and removing the internal seal (it's outlined in my post in the archives) will get you the best feel and lowest resistance possible. Looping the lines is almost as good, but you're still having to move the fluid around, and there's another surface to crate drag. It took me about 3-4 hours start to finish to do the whole depowering procedure. I really like the results. It's not that hard to turn unless the car's barely moving, or is stopped. On the highway you can still comfortably cruise with only one hand on the wheel.
The advantages are:
Lighter weight
Better steering feel
(slightly) Less power drain on the motor
No change of getting ahead of the boost (I've done that a number of times at the autocross, it's annoying and kills your time)
Cheaper than replacing the power rack with a manual one
Faster ratio than a manual rack
The disadvantages are:
Harder to turn when going really slowly
Could be expensive to undo (should you wish to) depending on how you do it
If you're not wanting to take the rack out and take it apart, or if you think you'll want to put it back some day, then loop the lines, that way it's easier to undo.
The advantages are:
Lighter weight
Better steering feel
(slightly) Less power drain on the motor
No change of getting ahead of the boost (I've done that a number of times at the autocross, it's annoying and kills your time)
Cheaper than replacing the power rack with a manual one
Faster ratio than a manual rack
The disadvantages are:
Harder to turn when going really slowly
Could be expensive to undo (should you wish to) depending on how you do it
If you're not wanting to take the rack out and take it apart, or if you think you'll want to put it back some day, then loop the lines, that way it's easier to undo.
#13
or you could just go the ''i dont give a crap attitude'' and just remove the ac and ps! I did this and i could feel a difference right away on my T2. Then i got the bsattery relocated to the rear and let me tell you, changing spark plugs was never so easy. I know alot of people are going to use their ac and ps but for those who do not care, remove it and you will see what i am refering to.
My next move is to remove the ABS so that way i will have just a bare motor in the bay and that makes everything alot more accesable.
My next move is to remove the ABS so that way i will have just a bare motor in the bay and that makes everything alot more accesable.
#15
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My car didn't come with AC or ABS, so that side of the engine bay is nice and opemn. When i look at it I can't help thinking how it would be a good place for a supercharger.
#17
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i think i'm going to depower the p/s.
I was going to do it this weekend, but I've got to fix a leaky fuel hose first (hopefully a quick fix - after i get the vdi manifold off).
I was going to do it this weekend, but I've got to fix a leaky fuel hose first (hopefully a quick fix - after i get the vdi manifold off).
#18
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http://www.negative-camber.org/crispyrx7/fc/fcpart8.htm
The last picture on that page has a nice front on view of the engine bay with no air pump, PS or AC. It's also got an electric fan, so you get a nice view of it all.
The last picture on that page has a nice front on view of the engine bay with no air pump, PS or AC. It's also got an electric fan, so you get a nice view of it all.
#19
Rupanrx
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Here are 2 pics, I haven't finished hookin up my vdi or my s5 5th and 6th ports. And I need to get rid of my s4 maf because I am installin my megasquirt(that should all be done this weekend) I have a 87 gxl
there are a few more things that I have done like added my old airpump back in their and I have added crap like rmagic groundin kit and relocated batt but thats for another thread after everything is done
there are a few more things that I have done like added my old airpump back in their and I have added crap like rmagic groundin kit and relocated batt but thats for another thread after everything is done
#21
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This weekend I yanked the power steering pump, bracket, and hoses from the car and capped the lines off. Can I get away with doing that? I'm planning on swapping in an actual manual rack; how hard is it as far as removing other suspension bits etc.?
#22
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its really ez dude, juss unbolt ur radiator and lift it up a lil bit so u can have clearance to take out the rack.
b4 you do that, take off ur 2 front wheels.
unbolt the stabalizer bolts.(size 17 and size 14)
tierod ends.(juss unbolt the bolt and the tierod itself is a gigantic bolt head. use a size 12 wrench for the tie rod and a size 14 for the bolt on the tierod.)
after that remove the braces of the rack.
unbolt the bolt in the middle of the steering column.
slides right off.
if this is complicating, msg me on AIM or ill draw a pic for u or something.
-jimmy
b4 you do that, take off ur 2 front wheels.
unbolt the stabalizer bolts.(size 17 and size 14)
tierod ends.(juss unbolt the bolt and the tierod itself is a gigantic bolt head. use a size 12 wrench for the tie rod and a size 14 for the bolt on the tierod.)
after that remove the braces of the rack.
unbolt the bolt in the middle of the steering column.
slides right off.
if this is complicating, msg me on AIM or ill draw a pic for u or something.
-jimmy
#24
Eats, Sleeps, Dreams Rotary
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The FD guys send their racks out to get converted to non power.
Anyone know whats involved w/ this that we dont do?
I was thinking of just having my power steering rack rebuilt and see if that will make it a little nicer than a 19 year old rack w/ some slop in it. Not sure what I'm talking about and if it would help or now.
I want to keep my PS because I live in twisty mountains, and if you ever spin or have some snap oversteer you're kinda fucked w/ steering. But you're kinda fucked anyways.
I'm a grip person so the whole power for drift thing isn't a concern of mine.
Anyone know whats involved w/ this that we dont do?
I was thinking of just having my power steering rack rebuilt and see if that will make it a little nicer than a 19 year old rack w/ some slop in it. Not sure what I'm talking about and if it would help or now.
I want to keep my PS because I live in twisty mountains, and if you ever spin or have some snap oversteer you're kinda fucked w/ steering. But you're kinda fucked anyways.
I'm a grip person so the whole power for drift thing isn't a concern of mine.
#25
Lives on the Forum
If you just cap the lines with fluid still in the rack the rack will proceed to try to pump the fluid out when you turn the wheel, popping off the caps and puking ATF all over the engine bay.
I didn't move my rad to get the rack out, but I did remove the swaybar and it was a bit of a tight fit IIRC.
Damian did a writeup on the FD power steering conversion, search and it'll come up.
I didn't move my rad to get the rack out, but I did remove the swaybar and it was a bit of a tight fit IIRC.
Damian did a writeup on the FD power steering conversion, search and it'll come up.