Get rid of power steering?

sgw_88FoxGT · Dec 19, 2008

How can I get rid of my power steering? Do I need something like a flaming river non-power steering specific rack or can I just keep my stock rack, take out the pump and get a new belt?

I want to get rid of it because it's really loud and obnoxious, but not in the good glass-pack way. It whines so much sometimes it's louder than the engine! Also looking to squeeze out a few more hp and mpg.

Thanks!

Mustang5L5 · Dec 19, 2008

You will need a manual rack and steering shaft adapter

2000xp8 · Dec 19, 2008

Get a new PS pump, and flush out the system.
No PS on a street car sucks. There's really not enough power or weight reduction to justify removing it.
For what it costs to remove the PS correctly, you could gain a few horses with other bolt on mods instead.

tiptop · Dec 19, 2008

a, it really sucks without it

lang williams · Dec 19, 2008

if you drive it a lot keep the ps, if not loop the lines at the the rack.

88mouse · Dec 21, 2008

Mustang5L5 said:
You will need a manual rack and steering shaft adapter

Do you still need the adapter is you get a factory manual rack?

And also. I'm running tube k member no front bumper and al. heads. With no PS turns fine going down the road. Just a PITA if you have to turn when stoped. And thats with 235 60r 15's on the front 6inch wide wheels.

Mustang5L5 · Dec 21, 2008

88mouse said:
Do you still need the adapter is you get a factory manual rack?

As far as i know yes.

I know some guys have run early model Fox Manual racks from autozone and had to get the Flaming River adapter in order to use them

88mouse · Dec 22, 2008

Mustang5L5 said:
As far as i know yes.

I know some guys have run early model Fox Manual racks from autozone and had to get the Flaming River adapter in order to use them

Thanks for the info.

Boostedpimp · Dec 23, 2008

I did the flaming river manual kit and it shaved 30lbs off the front of my lx... and it's actually not bad at all on the street and I daily drive mine. The only tough part is when your stopped and have to cut the wheel but knowing this I make it a point or try to avoid situations where I'll be completely stopped and have to cut the wheel.. even with that though you don't have to do it too often so it's no big deal once in a while with me.

Before I did this I was scared of it being horribly hard to turn and just being too harsh but im glad I did it.. the weight savings and the space in the engine bay was worth it plus no more lines to leak etc

Saleen8786 · Dec 23, 2008

^^^^i did the same exact thing on my gt,i run 15 by 3 skinnies on my gt that i drive daily. With the skinnies you cant even tell i have a manual rack.

Mustangr · Dec 24, 2008

I did the same thing flaming river. I love it. It is definately harder to turn going slow, but much better feel for the road and response is great.
I do have about 2 inches of play that i wish I could get rid of.
Any ideas about that?

SMOKEDYA · Dec 24, 2008

Ok you can get a manual rack out of pintos and early stangs. save a few bucks and get the steering shaft as well but i do think the stock fox body will work? IF you get a manual flamming river rack then yes you will need the shaft.DO NOT loop the lines at the power steering rack! Have you ever turned the engine off and tried to turn a power steering rack! actually go out unlock the steering dont start the now and try to turn the wheel!This is how it will be if you just looped the lines on a power rack. peace

john

85_SS_302_Coupe · Dec 24, 2008

Sometimes i feel like doing this swap, but then i'm reminded of the times when my car has been on the bleeding edge of control, say durring a 3rd gear WOT rip where the tires are going 70mph but the car is only going 10mph and i'm fishtailing ditch to ditch and having power steering makes it all the easier to do the "metro bus driver" move on the steering wheel and avoid hitting anything. I can only imagine how crazy this would be with manual steering. 30lbs is pretty insignificant in a car that isn't racing to make money...if you wanna drop a quick 30lbs, run a half tank of gas instead of a full thank.

rd · Dec 24, 2008

I have a used regular Fox Mustang manual rack on my 82, and with skinnies, its fine for street driving, as far as I am concerned. I got the rack with the adapter and such. You can use the Flaming River adapter with Ford manual rack and their rack I believe.

I don't belive a Pinto rack is a direct fit. I found one once and it was much different irrc.

I am glad I did it, no hoses, no pump, no leaks, etc.

Saleen8786 · Dec 24, 2008

^^^same no more lines,leaking,more horse,less weight and more space.

Mustangr · Dec 25, 2008

The response and road feel to me are amazing. very quick with little effort at any speed above 5-10 mph. Seriously I love it except parking or turning around.

SMOKEDYA · Dec 27, 2008

it only robs power when turning. i've had cars in the past that didnt have power steering and they werent bad at all to control or turn. one was a 92 toyota pick up the only thing it had was power brakes! peace

john

Darkwriter77 · Dec 27, 2008

I'm kind of on the fence as to whether I should do it or not. The pump in my '84 whines horribly anytime I move the steering wheel below 15 MPH, but it's still functional, and the '89 notch needs SOME kind of a new rack because it's just drooling P/S fluid from every friggin' orifice there is on the thing (lines and washers have already been replaced). The '84 is my DD but it's an auto, FWIW.

With regular stock-width 15" tires, does it take some Über-strong arm muscles to turn the wheel at parking lot speeds? ... or is it just pretty firm? I've had a couple of FWD cars with manual steering - two Geo Metros and a Honda CRX - and they were totally livable with manual steering, just a minor pain at low speeds, but they've got WAY skinny tires...

Mustangr · Dec 27, 2008

SMOKEDYA said:
it only robs power when turning. i've had cars in the past that didnt have power steering and they werent bad at all to control or turn. one was a 92 toyota pick up the only thing it had was power brakes! peace

john

I think we all agree to have something fine or OK isnt good enough that is why we are here. If you thought it was great and perfect the way that ford did it why did you do all that stuff to your (our) car.
The stock steering is great if you like something stock. I prefer better. I prefer great. I dont really care how much it cost dollars or comfort wise to get what I want and that is a great performing sports, drag, roadraceing machine.

ID89GT · Dec 28, 2008

If it was me I would just replace the pump and do a flush.. You can get a new pump for about 50 or 60 bucks at Napa.. I had mine exchanged in less than 2 hours and I was drinking most the time

Get rid of power steering?

sgw_88FoxGT

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

2000xp8

tiptop

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lang williams

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88mouse

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Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

88mouse

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Boostedpimp

Saleen8786

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SMOKEDYA

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

rd

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Darkwriter77

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