How involved is the manual steering rack install?

svasica · Sep 1, 2006

How hard is it to install the manual steering rack with the engine and all in (what needs to be removed to install it)? What is included in the kits and how much do they go for? Do I need to replace all the compenents ie. steering shaft, rack and pinion? What is the minimum I would need to do to convert from PS to manual steering?

50Dreamer · Sep 2, 2006

It really easy...You need to worry about how to run the belt with no p/s pump and thats the hard part...Also might wanna upgrade to a flaming river steering shaft. Installing the rack is cake...Then you may consider a simple alignment

04sleeper · Sep 3, 2006

I did this on my 89 coupe. It is very easy.

The easiest way is to buy a rack from a 79-81 Mustang with manual steering.

They run about $120 from any local parts store. Then all you really need is a rag joint coupling to fit the spline of the manual rack. This allows you to use your stock steering shaft.

I really do not like the flaming river steering shafts because they have no bushings and you can feel every little thing come right through your steering wheel.

Here is a pictures to show you the difference between the manual and the power steering couplers.

The manual one is on top and the power one is on the bottom.

They both have different splines to line up to.

I have one, if you need shoot me a PM.

I also replaced my outer tie rod ends for new ones because mine were getting old. They were $19 a peice.

Hope this helps.

90NotchBack · Sep 3, 2006

I have manual steering rack from a 79 Mustang from the auto parts store and I made my own steering shaft eliminating the rag joint. The U Joint size is 3/4 Bore 9/16x26 Spline

Original Owner · Sep 3, 2006

As these guys said, it's an easy job. You'll have to remove the tie-rod ends from the spindles, which required a simple puller ($12 at Murrays, CarQuest or Autozone) or you could beat on the top of the threads after you remove the nuts (don't recommend, but it will work in a pinch). Straighten out the steering wheel and then put your seatbelt through the steering wheel to hold it in place. (very important if you have an airbag). Remove the 12-point clamp-bolt at the steering rack/input shaft location. I think the clamp-bolt is 12 MM. Next, use some pliers to grip the "squueze"-clamp from the return line and slide the hose off of the hard line. After that, swing the return line up and out of the way so that you can get at the pressure line nut. That line will stay with the car. Those are the only two lines you need to remove. All that's left from here is to remove the two mount nuts. I think the heads of the bolts are 5/8 and you'll need a deepwell socket because of their recessed location. The nuts are 18 MM. Remove the nuts and tap the bolts back a little bit until they are flush with the face of the bushing washers. Pull the rack off of the bushing tubes and you are done. If you've got an extra $15 to blow, put on some PST polygraphite bushings on the replacement steering rack. It tightens things up just a notch further. Good luck.

rd · Sep 3, 2006

If you have all of the parts, including the rag joint coupler, its straightforward. I used a manual stock Ford rack, and the tie rods that came with it worked fine. If the motor mounts are tired, you may have to jack the motor to pull the rack.

Rerouting the belt was the hardest part.

Hickfied · Sep 4, 2006

Can you order a rag joint coupler for a 79 mustang with manual steering to get the manual steering to work with your column?

If I order a manual rack for a 79 stang, it will come with the rack and inner tie rods? What about mounting bushings?

I also have to buy outer tie rods seperate? I can just buy those for my car right? (89GT)

04sleeper · Sep 4, 2006

Hickfied said:
Can you order a rag joint coupler for a 79 mustang with manual steering to get the manual steering to work with your column?

Yes. That is the one I pictured in post 3 on top. They cost about $75 from Flaming River (I know thats where I bought this one from) plus shipping but I will sell mine for much less.

Hickfied said:
If I order a manual rack for a 79 stang, it will come with the rack and inner tie rods? What about mounting bushings?

You can just reuse your rack bushings if they are in good shape. Mine were just fine and it was an 89.

Hickfied said:
I also have to buy outer tie rods seperate? I can just buy those for my car right? (89GT)

Yes, you have to buy the outer tie rod end seperate. Just tell the parts store you need them for the 79-81 rack and they will give you the correct ones.

interceptor7 · Sep 4, 2006

For you guys that have gone to manual, how "streetable" is it? My stang is daily driven and I don't wannna have to hit the gym just to drive around a parking lot.

Also, any advantages to going with the Flaming River unit versus a 79-81 rack?

rd · Sep 4, 2006

I think manual is just as streetable as power, and so far, it leaks a lot less.

90NotchBack · Sep 4, 2006

I have manual steering and a spool and drive it daily with no problem. Yea it leaks a lot less and doesn't make any weird noises.

interceptor7 · Sep 4, 2006

90NotchBack said:
I have manual steering and a spool and drive it daily with no problem. Yea it leaks a lot less and doesn't make any weird noises.

What steering rack do you have? Factory or aftermarket?

90NotchBack · Sep 4, 2006

I have a 79 Mustang rack

dastang2 · Sep 4, 2006

i hear that it is a lot easier to turn in slow driving with a manual rack than it is to turn with a P/S rack with not P/S pump hooked up. is that true, because i hope so

04sleeper · Sep 4, 2006

dastang2 said:
i hear that it is a lot easier to turn in slow driving with a manual rack than it is to turn with a P/S rack with not P/S pump hooked up. is that true, because i hope so

Yes, it is true!!!

dastang2 · Sep 4, 2006

good because got a flaming river rack and shaft but haven't installed it. i drove my 82 supercab for a while with not P/S pump hooked up and it was a bitch.

04sleeper · Sep 4, 2006

dastang2 said:
good because got a flaming river rack and shaft but haven't installed it. i drove my 82 supercab for a while with not P/S pump hooked up and it was a bitch.

LOL.. Yeah.

Its pretty hard with a stang as well with the PS unhooked.

I used to run a short belt at the track that bypassed the PS so I know what it feels like.

interceptor7 · Sep 5, 2006

Any advantages to the Flaming river unit vs a factory manual rack?

04sleeper · Sep 5, 2006

interceptor7 said:
Any advantages to the Flaming river unit vs a factory manual rack?

It will be a brand new unit, not remanufactured. Oh and it will be shiney.

sirr0bin · Sep 5, 2006

And with flaming river you can get a quick ratio rack

How involved is the manual steering rack install?

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