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» Northern California Ford Owners     » Automotive   » Tech Talk   » Anyone run manual steering?

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Author Topic: Anyone run manual steering?
Stimson
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I'm tossing the idea around for converting to manual steering. Does anyone here not have power steering? My steering rack leaks and it'll cost me about the same to convert it to manual steering. Weight and clutter off the front end and a few RWHP is always a plus. I'm just worried it'll be too hard to steer.
Posts: 2373 | Registered: Jun 2000  |  :
Luke87GT
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I've driven several cars w/o Power steering and what a PITA! Keep in mind neither of these cars had 225 radials either. I bet its liveable with skinnies, but with 225 or bigger radials... I wouldn't do it.
Luke

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Stangless

Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000  |  :
BIGJUNE
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for old skool yea but for the 5.0 no stay with the powersteering.
Posts: 110 | From: los banos | Registered: Aug 2002  |  :
Stimson
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I've never driven a manual steering car so I don't know what I'm missing. I was hopping someone here would have done the '79 manual rack or the flaming river kit so I could possibly try it out and see if its for me or not. I really like how the engine bay looks with no A/C or power steering.
Posts: 2373 | Registered: Jun 2000  |  :
Gear Head
JARED
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When you are driving around it would be fine but when you are pulling out of a park or trying to make a u turn at liow speeds its real hard to crank that wheel.

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Posts: 5685 | From: EASTBAY | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
John91coupe
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Sawson,

I've been driving mine around for a while with manual steering (Flaming River). As has been mentioned, at low speed it can be a handfull. It is not that big a deal for me but I have a few pounds on you and can manage to get around without too much trouble. My street setup has P245's in front so maybe with smaller tires it would be a bit easier. Want to take mine for a drive?.............NOOOT! [Big Grin]

Posts: 1361 | From: Grass Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  :
Stimson
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quote:
Originally posted by John91coupe:
Want to take mine for a drive?.............NOOOT! [Big Grin]

That was just plain cold hearted!!!!

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So all my 150 lbs probably won't like the manual steering huh?

Posts: 2373 | Registered: Jun 2000  |  :
John91coupe
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LOL! That's a pretty cool picture. It's hard to say if it's something you will get along with or not. Actually, if my dash wasn't apart I might let you try it arond the block or something like that. You'd have to promise me your first born though. [Razz]

Maybe someone will step forward before mine is back together and save you your lineage.

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Posts: 1361 | From: Grass Valley, CA | Registered: Sep 2000  |  :
93lx306nos
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i have a 79 mustang rack and it is hard to steer at low speed.if you get a 15-1 flaming river rack it will be was easier to steer. they are used for road racing.once your doin 10-15 mph it is easy to steer

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with 1.69 60 ft on et streets.320 rwhp/322 ft lbs torque. times for new combo coming soon.

i do side job installs.p.m. me with what you need.i have a couple cars that i have built that you can look at.

www.unlimited-racing.com

Posts: 136 | From: san jose | Registered: Mar 2002  |  :
Jimbo
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Although it doesnt directly relate my '65 coupe is manual steering w/ 225's, a 37 year old power steering box, and the shelby quick steering arms, can you say "high effort". It takes a little getting used to but it has been my driver for 2 years now and I have few complaints. Hope this helps a little.
Hey John can I drive your car? [Big Grin] [Big Grin] [Wink]

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Posts: 352 | From: Castro Valley,CA | Registered: Jun 2002  |  :
CustomFastbackCA
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I say go for it, it is less rotating force without the power steering pump anyway. You won't notice the difference except for U-turns and pulling in and out of parking spaces, but no big deal, nothing you can't get used to. I actually feel like I can feel the turns better with manual steering, that is just me.
Posts: 346 | From: Santa Clara | Registered: Jun 2002  |  :
Gear Head
JARED
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Power Steering [patriot]

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Posts: 5685 | From: EASTBAY | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
Drew B
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If its a daily driver power steering is the way to go.
Posts: 1992 | From: Nor-cal | Registered: Jan 2002  |  :
stangless
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hey look at it this way...wihout power steering you'll get a good workout!! my old civic had manual steering and my bicpets and tricepts got at least an inch bigger! [Big Grin] [Big Grin]

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=(

Posts: 4634 | From: bay | Registered: Jun 2002  |  :
Hungry Hippo
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2 words... parallel parking [burnout]
my corolla has manual steering, but that thing must weigh just a little more than a ton

[ September 05, 2002, 02:28 PM: Message edited by: HungryHippo ]

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Posts: 2959 | From: east bay | Registered: Nov 2001  |  :
S281 01-570
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The one redeeming feature of manual steering with wide front tires is that your wife/girlfriend will never want to drive your car again! At normal speed, highway etc. you won.t even notice your don't have it. As your speed gets slower, and the curves/turns get sharper you will have to work harder and harder. If you have you make a Y turn....well you may just go around the block so you don't have to do it! LOL
Posts: 13 | From: Central CA | Registered: Jun 2002  |  :


 
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