Author Topic: Manual steering swap (Read 5324 times)

rallydiesel · « **on:** June 23, 2008, 04:21:19 pm »

I've got everything I need to do the manual steering "upgrade".

Stay tuned for a DIY.

Here's the beast it will be going in. My long-term project car.

foxracer1 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2008, 05:22:25 pm »

I have a manual rack for my jetta that i plan to install in place of my power rack. But i have installed 91 Passat A-arms wich are wider that the A2 jettas. My tie rods are adjusted pretty far out and i plan to buy new ones for a passat or A3 but those cars never came with manual racks did they? Are the tie rods different from manual rack to power rack?

Sorry to high jack this. I'll keep checking to see the progress. Your car looks good anymore pics?

jtanguay · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2008, 07:54:49 pm »

Quote from: "foxracer1"

I have a manual rack for my jetta that i plan to install in place of my power rack. But i have installed 91 Passat A-arms wich are wider that the A2 jettas. My tie rods are adjusted pretty far out and i plan to buy new ones for a passat or A3 but those cars never came with manual racks did they? Are the tie rods different from manual rack to power rack?

Sorry to high jack this. I'll keep checking to see the progress. Your car looks good anymore pics?

i've never heard of a passat with mechanical steering, but i wouldn't doubt that they were available somewhere in Europe. the tie rods below don't seem much different, but my best guess is that it is just a difference in length. you could probably send the tie rods to a shop to have them cut, and then welded up. same idea as making a driveshaft longer/shorter.

i'm very interested in this swap as i want to do the same to my jetta

burn_your_money · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2008, 09:54:24 pm »

yes power and non power use diffent tie rods. Not sure what the difference is though.

I don't see how an empty beer bottle will be of much assistance though :lol:

Ziptar · « **Reply #4 on:** June 24, 2008, 10:44:00 am »

Quote from: "rallydiesel"

I've got everything I need to do the manual steering "upgrade".

You don't have everything......

That beer is Empty!!!!!

gigaz2 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:04:51 pm »

a3 and a3 non-powersteering rack is exactly the same, the difference is in the tie rods.

I have A3 everything on my A2, the tie rods had to be swapped because they were barely holding on (1 or 2 threads) and I still needed more adjustment.

the reference for the A3 tie rods is: 1h0 419 803/4

foxracer1 · « **Reply #6 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:24:58 pm »

So there are mk3 cars with manual steering? I need the length of an mk3 and i'm switching to manual. I plan to get the full length tie rod not just the outer end.

zukgod1 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:40:58 pm »

I'm curious how much actual effort it will take to turn while not moving with manual steering..

gigaz2 · « **Reply #8 on:** June 24, 2008, 05:46:39 pm »

with mk3 front setup, 185-55-15 on VR6 rims... lets say I am a strong guy, and I can feel my muscles aching after parking the car

but damn does it feels good to feel what the wheels are doing while cornering!

its also a thief deterrent..

burn_your_money · « **Reply #9 on:** June 24, 2008, 09:27:25 pm »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

I'm curious how much actual effort it will take to turn while not moving with manual steering..

In my Mk1 it was effortless. In my MK2 with a PS rack but no pump it requires a can of spinach. It's been too long since I've driven a mk2 with a manual rack to comment. I do know when I get in a mk2 with working PS I usually almost crash it because it turns too easily :lol:

lord_verminaard · « **Reply #10 on:** June 25, 2008, 09:36:54 am »

Quote from: "foxracer1"

So there are mk3 cars with manual steering?

Not in the United States, but I'm pretty sure they had them in Canada. (and everywhere else too)

Brendan

lord_verminaard · « **Reply #11 on:** June 25, 2008, 09:39:39 am »

Quote from: "zukgod1"

I'm curious how much actual effort it will take to turn while not moving with manual steering..

In my Scirocco, (granted, the lightest weight of all the A1 cars) I have 195/60/14's and the steering effort is fairly low. I've gotten pretty good at only turning the wheel when the car is rolling, even when parking or pulling out of a driveway. But yes, it really feels great when it's moving down the road.

I'd say it's a very minor annoyance that you soon forget about.

Brendan

burn_your_money · « **Reply #12 on:** June 25, 2008, 10:06:56 pm »

Quote from: "lord_verminaard"

Not in the United States, but I'm pretty sure they had them in Canada. (and everywhere else too)

Brendan

I think Europe only, I've never seen one.

madmedix · « **Reply #13 on:** June 30, 2008, 04:22:56 pm »

Can't wait. My 90 Jetta TD is giving me fits...the right tie rod is fused to the bearing carrier. What started out as a front bearing replacement has turned into my confirming my neighbour is aware I know what the 7 words you can't say on TV are. Often.

My PS rack is leaky, and I'd like to change her out to manual....so I'm waiting with baited breath to see how yours turns out.

Cheers,
Andy

rallydiesel · « **Reply #14 on:** June 30, 2008, 09:02:23 pm »

Sorry it's taking so long. I'll pot pics in the next week or so. I'll had some family emergencies that were more important.