Driving after removing power steering...
 

Hi all. I have a question regarding the removal of the power steering on an FD.
I have read already a lot of posts regarding the driving impressions after removing the power steering on the FD but I have a more specific question to ask:
I know that the steering is going to be heavier while you move below 20 or 25 MPH and after that is pretty much the same as the stock one with the advantage of the extra "feel" of the road that you get.
I know that since I have been driving for more than 10 years a Datsun 240 Z without Power steering and the road feel is pretty strong.
But I would like to know how is it when you are doing things like drifting, cornering really fast, any kind of sliding when you have to do fast steering corrections while going into small bumps and things like that.
Does it still feel good? Is it too heavy or has too much input that makes it hard to control?
I am guessing it is ok since I have seen a few of the guys here with lots of experience with these cars saying that they have done it and they still love it.
So please I will welcome any input on the matter since my car is being rebuilt right now and it would be the perfect time to remove it.
Thanks in advance...
Leo

I removed mine a few weeks ago, at first i thought it was just harder to turn. After i drove my DD again, i could REALLY tell the difference. i have no idea when i am pushing the limits of my DD with power steering, without power steering it feels like i know when the tires are pushing the limits. Its harder to turn when im backing up and parking, but after 5 mph its not hard at all.

well i got the car w.o powersteering..

i havent drifted or autox and what not but just street driving and taking turns hard i think w/o power steering you still get a good feel and theres no disadvantage.. you just have to get use to the turning radius and how much strength you have to use throguh each turn etc...

on the other hand for autox i dont see how it can be THAT beneficial.. cuz i know when i try taking fast sharp turns quickly i struggle and since autox u stay in 2nd gear i can see where some turns MAY be a problem...

drifting i cant imagine it being that difficult without powersteering..

i have no experiences this is just my opinion with my experience in just street driving..

Thanks a lot for your input guys. Even though I am still undecided, I am still more inclined into removing it.
Thanks.
Leo

you can do that? i like the feel of no power steering except under 20mph then im sitting there like and idiot cross gripping hand over hand turning my wheel.. and car meets? forget it.. im the idiot who cant park correctly or takes 6 turns......

my only REAL concern is if im caught in a situation where im about to get hit by another car or something and have to avoid somethign quickly i wont be able to turn quick enough...........

ps i jsut drove my moms passat and going from my car w/o ps to hers.. omg i almost hit the curb every turn because the steering is so damn light i can turn with one finger.......

I've been driving without power steering for over a year and I don"t miss it at all. I have auto-X my car a few times without the power steering and I didn't think it was a big deal at all.
Others drove my car auto-xing and liked the way it felt also.
Now drifting I think would be a lot harder without the power steering and the pro drivers don"t remove it.
The only time the car is hard to turn is under 5 mph and you get used to it pretty quick, running without power steering isn't for everyone but I like it.

Thank you very much everyone for your comments. Please keep them coming!
I am still not completely decided :)

The right way to do it is to convert to a manual rack. I personally hate the way the stock rack feels when the pump is deleted and the lines are looped. You are fighting with the resistance of the fluid that is still inside the rack. A lot of people are going to say that it is fine and they are entitled to their opinion. I am also 6'1" 238 lbs, at the gym almost every day so I have no problem turning the wheel without power steering. I just don't like the feel.

Ihor, but what I have hears was to remove the pump, DRAIN the fluid and then loop the lines. Is it that the way to kinda convert it to manual rack? Or there is something else?
Leo

There are still the seals inside the rack and you are going to fight against the suction created by them. If you are on a budget go for it, but I would look into a Mavel rack.

Ihor, I have been checking and I couldn't find any Maval for RX7 1993 even though their website names the model 9214M as the one for this car.
I have found many CVU ones but every one is for Power Steering.
Is there a website that you know that will carry the model you are talking about?
Or is it from another non power steering car that you can make fit?
Thanks...
Leo

You send Maval your rack (and some money); they send you back your rack converted.

https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/got-my-manual-converted-steering-rack-back-maval-645465/

Thanks Mahjik and Ihor and everyone else that gave their input. I guess I will wait for now and do it as soon as I have the money to send to Maval. It sounds a lot better than doing the looping thing. And at less than $300 is not that expensive really.
Thank you again.
Leo

P.S. this is my post 100 so I will have to go celebrate tonight :dunce:

ive been considering a manual rack conversion but im thinking just putting my p/s back in would be less work. :lol:
i like driving without it but drifting and such your better off with it.

I've heard rumours that a 2nd Gen rack from a non PAS car can be used to remove the PAS on a budget...

I have that rack and I love it! :icon_tup: