Convert Hydraulic to Manual Steering rack?

[EagleTalonTim]

Is it possible to simply convert the hydraulic steering rack to manual or do I need to purchase a manual steering rack? If I need to purchase one, does anyone have a good source for one?

 

[SaulHudson]

Rockauto occasionally has reman manual racks for about 180$
Have to keep looking.

 

[Insomniac13]

Here's how to convert one, just click start the tutorial. It's on a Miata, but the same principles are at work. Props to whoever wrote this tutorial.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php
There's also some debate about whether or not the quill shaft needs to have the seals removed and be welded, if you don't know what that means check out this thread on the RX7 forums, there's a great discussion on it. Once again, I know it's not a DSM rack, but most of it applies.
http://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/how-de-power-your-steering-rack-942543/
The basic idea is that you remove the seals inside the rack that hold hydraulic pressure. Just unhooking the pump and draining the rack will work, but this method will be much easier to turn and work much better, as well as last much longer.
If you decide to attempt this yourself, good luck! Post up results!

 

[EagleTalonTim]

Thank you much for the post! I think I will try the conversion. I have access to a TIG if I decide to weld the quill. I probably will since it only takes a few minutes and I can weld it on my lunch break at work. It also gives me a little more piece of mind that it will not break on me since there is no extra "help" from the pressure.

 

[habitatguy187]

I did the "miata mod" and did NOT reweld, after talking to someone who had over 15k miles on their rack. I haven't got to test it out yet unfortunately. Hopefully that time will come soon. The work itself is pretty easy.

 

[dfootedsm]

any feedback on this yet. I want to clean up my engine bay and wanted to delete another item if I could my Ac and lines are gone

 

[EagleTalonTim]

I wound up doing the conversion and did not weld anything. I don't think there is a need for it honestly.

 

[nelliott500]

I depowered my rack and didn't weld anything. Anyone running a p/s rack with looped lines is doing themselves a disservice. It's a bit of a pain to pull and reinstall the rack but the difference was significant.

 

[livedsm4g63]

Ive done it before on my last dsm. Lets just say, Im never ripping out my power steering on the current dsm.

 

[dfootedsm]

@nelliott500 your using a manual rack from a 1.8 1g? Will this work on a 2g ? @EagleTalonTim what use does your DSM see is it a DD in the summer? HP etc? 1g ?2G?

 

[EagleTalonTim]

I have my entire front end stripped and had the power steering rack already out. The conversion was not hard and took about 45 minutes since I was not 100% on what I was getting into . Turned out good. I am waiting for some plugs to come in that I ordered from my work to cap off all the old hose ports. I did not want to destroy the rack or the hose ports in case I ever wanted to convert back. Probably would not matter since I cut off the piston on the shaft....

 

[nelliott500]

@nelliott500 your using a manual rack from a 1.8 1g?

No. This thread is about depowering a p/s rack. That's what I did to mine. It's almost impossible to find a manual rack and the previous owner of my car is a dipshit and decided power steering is for pussies.

 

[EagleTalonTim]

I don't use my car for dd anymore since I have a more reliable vehicle with better gas mileage . I am shooting more for a streetable drag car.

 

[dfootedsm]

I am building an occasional weekend warrior at the moment optimistic 400 hp build not a true drag monster

 

[guamboyeli]

I got a manual rack from a 1.8... it feels way better than just looping the p/s rack on 245/45/17.... but thats just my opinion

 

[nelliott500]

I got a manual rack from a 1.8... it feels way better than just looping the p/s rack on 245/45/17.... but thats just my opinion

Of course it does. That's not even an opinion. That's a 100% fact.

 

[dfootedsm]

i have a 2g so i dont have the option