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Suspension Manual steering with modern radial tires?

  • Thread starter Thread starter 02 281 GT
  • Start date Start date Nov 16, 2019

02 281 GT

Agreed...My wife has great Boobs
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Nov 16, 2019
#1
  • Nov 16, 2019
  • #1
Searches only brought up questions regarding manual box swaps and what not.

So I’m trying to figure out if I should go with power steering on my car when the time comes, or if I can stick with manual steering such as came with the car.

I’ll be going with an IFS up front with rack and pinion as well as a V8 instead of the original straight six. Does anyone have experience with driving a manual steering car with a V8 and something like 7” wide wheels with radial tires up front? This car will be driven mostly on the street. Would I be wishing I went with power steering with an aluminum headed V8 with air conditioning and 17x7” wheels with radial tires?

This was a pretty basic car from the factory and I’d like to keep I that way by maintaining the manual steering and brakes. Less clutter under the hood and no potential for leaks.
 
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2Blue2

will be trying this sex one when I can find it
Mod Dude
Mar 5, 2019
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Oahu
Nov 16, 2019
#2
  • Nov 16, 2019
  • #2
My 65 has stock manual steering and 17 inch rims and is hard to steer at low speeds (ie. creeping around parking lot)
rack and pinion would be slightly more forgiving I imagine.
If I did it over I would add power steering /brakes (yes I'm getting old).
 

Adieu

Easy there, this ain't a dating site.
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Mar 7, 2002
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#3
  • Jan 1, 2020
  • #3
My Mustang II with a dead power rack and 16x7 wheels drives fine as long as you're rolling. In parking lots where you're turning the wheel sitting still can be a bit of a PITA, but once above about 0.5mph or so, it's no big deal at all. I'm swapping to a manual rack because the power rack blowing out a seal showed me that power steering just isn't all that necessary on it.

Hope that helps.
 

02 281 GT

Agreed...My wife has great Boobs
15 Year Member
Feb 3, 2009
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Cabot, AR
Jan 1, 2020
#4
  • Jan 1, 2020
  • #4
Thanks for y'alls input. I'm thinking I'll probably be fine with manual steering. I'm planning to go with a reproduction deluxe steering wheel when the time comes.
 
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horse sence

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Wile Coyote's stunt double
Jan 2, 2020
#5
  • Jan 2, 2020
  • #5
I had the quick steer Shelby pitman arm ,manual box ,the hccaw box ,no power and radial BFGs ,pain in the but to steer from a stand still but fine while driving ,in fact down right fun in the curves ,do the upper control arm drop ,it makes a big difference in handling and makes driving curvy roads a blast
 
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