I need some helpful opinions; Power Steering

[kxc36g]

I need some help. I am trying to decide if I should replace my power steering rack, or swap to a manual gearbox. I have included a lot of background. Feel free to read it or just post your opinion.

A little background.

Basically, My power steering system is leaking in at least two places. There is a leak coming from the pressure hose near the pump ( I have already looped the cooler lines and installed performance hose on the low pressure hose and still a leak. It could also be the high pressure line O ring, but it does not appear to begin leaking there.) There is also a leak coming from the rack. While the bellows are not filled with fluid, the rack appears to be leaking somewhere other than the two lines (high pressure and low pressure lines did not have any fluid around where the flare end and low pressure hose end attach to the rack). A local shop said the rack was shot; with 155,000 miles the tie rod ends need to be replaced anyway

The cost of the rack is not important-- Labor appears more expensive than parts.
--
Driving Situation

The laser has been my daily transportation for over five years--and after many thousands of dollars I have decided to keep the car probably forever. Within the year I plan on purchasing a daily driver to save money on wear items. Until then I put about 15,000 miles per year driving to work, school, friends etc. Much of my driving is highway, and some is in heavy traffic. I plan on turning the laser into a weekend street car--occasionally drag racing the car and maybe one day taking it to a road race track (I will probably never auto X). I have driven with the power steering pump not operating for a few weeks and while it was manageable I was glad to have power steering back.

I need to know how much easier it is to steer the car with a manual rack over a non working power rack. I am pretty strong and things like an ACT 2600 could be a stock clutch in my opinion. The car is already NVH prone: no AC, poly motor mounts, 3in exhaust, ACT 2600, no balance shafts etc. I have performed some weight reduction and the car probably weighs a little under 3,000lbs.

It would be nice to clean up the engine bay, drop some weight, add reliability etc with the manual rack but I don't want to be cursing myself for choosing something that makes driving my car hell.

Opinions please

Chris

 

[Blizz92tsi]

hey kxc36g,
My car currently doesn't have working power steering either. Previous owner took off the pump. Why I'm not really sure but I've been driving this way for about a year or so. Driving it is possible but annoying. I have a parts car that I could swap the parts from. However, I'm like you. I like how the engine bay looks without all the clutter, and I'm not really wanting to deal with leaks. I'm planning on picking up a manual rack this weekend. I've driven a different car (mirage) with manual steering and its only difficult when you are trying to manuver at slow speeds. Pulling into and out of parking spots, etc. Since you are planning on getting another car for a daily I'd really consider getting a manual rack. Simple, no leaks, and you won't be driving it all the time. Good luck with your decision. Later.

 

[qtxdevilz]

when i had a leak in the power steering line it was a pain only at low speeds...i had it that way for about a week...it was kinda embarassing when your trying to park or something when there was a girl around......i tried replacing the o rings and everything...but finally the only thing that worked was TEFLON tape (plumber's pipe tape *white colored*) it worked real good and now i have my power steering back...maybe you should try that...

 

[evolvingGS-t]

Who needs p/s?

 

[kxc36g]

Anyone get that manual rack installed?

Has anyone weighed the manual rack vs. the power rack and parts?


Thanks,
Chris

 

[Blizz92tsi]

I hope to have mine done in the next couple of months. No money!

 

[91_laser]

Who needs p/s?

not me

 

[DragGSX]

..i love how some people get embarised by it...doesnt bother me at all with no powersteering on my gsx.(if they say anything or give you a look, tell em you like it rough...) im use to it. its actually alot eaisier to drive than my 92 vr4 with no powersteering (4WS was a bi*** wit no power steering, specailly with a dual a-piller gauge pod)

 

[98TsiAWD]

Im running a power rack on my 2g with no power assist. Its not that bad. Just make sure you turn the wheels all the way back and forth to get all the excess fluid out of the rack, then seal it up. If you leave the rack completely full of fluid it will be HARD to turn.

 

[Wizard]

I had a leak in my PS rack and decided to swap to a manual rack. Best thing I have ever done. Even at a standstill, it's not that hard to turn. Remember, A manual rack is MUCH different than a PS rack with no assist. Awsome feel for the road.

Not to mention the lack of a pump, support bracket, hoses that love to leak onto the alternator and fry it, ability to get to that last bolt on the exhaust mani, tons o room behind the engine, one less belt to change or get in your way when doing a timing belt, no PS cooler line in front of the radiator, turns sharper. Only bad side is the increased effort at low speeds and a slower turn ratio (4 turns lock-to-lock).

Also, if you just undo your PS, there are 2 methods, drain and cap or loop. 98TSiAWD did the drain and cap, but I have personally done the loop method. Bascially, one hose goes where the other used to be. Fluid remains in the rack but is effortlessly moved from one side of the rack to the other. But manual is still the best.

Wiz

 

[Wing0tj]

Anyone know where you can find manual racks? I have been looking and I cant find any...

 

[RoasT BeeF]

www.mitsubishigraveyard.com has manual racks.