info on manual steering rack for FD?
07-21-07, 02:15 PM
#27
I now have gone through all 3 stages of power to full manual conversions. I am running 265/35R18 RS2's up front and on the rear with 18x9 SSR's. I have not done an alignment since I had the stockers on with 225's. Along with Corbeau A4's that give quite a bit of support while steering. Not sure if that helped the situation out or not. I initially pulled my pulley belt as the steering pump idler's bearing went on me. Difficulty in steering was very high at low speeds and pressure would build and catch(require high efforts) when steering one way then the other . I then put my steering rack loop kit from Gotham back on. Steering had a lot less weight to it but would still catch from making efforts in one direction then the other. I did autox on this setup just to check it out. My initial thought was to try it out after my first comments to this thread. It was not bad and I don't believe I was hindered in my steering but realize that auto-x does not require elevated efforts for more than usually a minute at a time. I think I could definetly leave the rack that way and just get used to the effort. Well after having my car down for some other stuff I was working on, I went ahead and pulled the rack, did the full conversion similar to Marvals setup. I finally was able to get the car out today and drive and it is even better than before. Efforts I believe have gone down even more (not much though) at low speeds. Cruise speed efforts and corrections are great with more feel with the "quill" welded. Efforts of course are more than a powered rack but not unacceptable, at least to me. When I get out to the next autox and alignment I will give another report but from driving around it seems to be very nice and worth the extra effort or money to have it converted. Oh and make sure you make very good marks on your tie rods, shaft and lock nuts when you take it out, you will still need to drive your car to the alignment shop after finishing the conversion.
