Installing power steering on an economy AAZ?

[Tag-Along]

I am looking into purchasing an AAZ for my 81 Rabbit. The guy selling it says it came out of an economy Jetta and said it does not have A/C (which I'm not too concerned with) and no power steering.  I have a few questions:

1) Is it possible to add power steering to the AAZ if it didn't come stock with power steering?
2) If so, what power steering setup would work (preferably something US spec)?
3) What would be needed to install it?
4) And how difficult would it be?

Thanks for the help...diesel is all new to me.

[GEE-BEE]

I HAVE A PUMP ASSY AND BRACKET'S OFF MY AAZ

27.50 SHIPPED , no hoses

You will need a Mk1 rabbit power steering assy & a PS steering boot from Mk1 Autohaus

EBAY ITEM 300296553517 IS A REMAN

Boot : ebay item 360099712249

Hope this help's


Gee-Bee

[Tag-Along]

Thanks for the advice!!! I actually don't know if my Rabbit has power steering or not...it's a shell right now so it's possible it had power steering.  As for A/C I have no clue if it had it or not...but I may not put that back in...I'm unsure I want to bother putting that in or not...but I may.

[jack's lack]

I have the a powersteering setup out of my 82 rabbit just sitting here. I ditched and went manual, I actually prefer it. If you end up needing the parts just PM me and we can work something out. Core charge on the rack is a monster.

I'm swapping an AAZ into my rabbit now. It has been a fun project.
You should start a build thread when you do it. We all love those.

[burn_your_money]

The brackets for the power steering on an AAZ are different then a 1.6 and previous engines. I suspect that it is the same as an ABA but I am not 100% certain of this.

[Tag-Along]

Yea I have heard that the AAZ is basically a diesel version of the OBD1 ABA.  My husband has an ABA in his 87 Cabby.  I was orginally going to put an ABA in my shell, but I really want to do something different.  And since my shell was originally a diesel I'd love to keep it that way.  It would also save me the headache of putting in a new gastank and fuel lines.  It's just I don't really want to spend 1k on an engine right now...especially one that has been in storage for 3 years and who knows how many years before it was in the hands it's in now!

[spencebm]

power steering is over rated and you don't need it.  Keep it simple and save money/effort.  Put that little bit of effort into turning the wheel. 

[rabbitman]

Yeah rabbits turn so easy power steering's really not necessary, plus it adds all kinds of stuff under the hood. I can stop on dry pavement and easily turn it from lock to lock.

[Rabbit on Roids]

if you cant drive manual steering, you dont need to be driving the car. i can easily drive almost anything with manual steering and one hand. my GTI is the only vehicle that takes 2 hands to go lock to lock on the pavement.

[Tag-Along]

I understand where some of you are coming from saying that power steering is not necessary and overrated...I respect your opinions...BUT to say I shouldnt' be driving the car at all if I can't handle it w/o power steering is HURTFUL.

I have driven a car with no power steering...a Lincoln Continental...it wasn't fun. I have also driven a Cabriolet when the power steering went out, and that was difficult for me. I was in a car accident a few years ago that seriously weakened my upper body strength...so YES I do need it.

Back on to the topic...... PLEASE 

[Rabbit on Roids]

i was just pokin a little fun, dont take offense from it.

[Tag-Along]

i was just pokin a little fun, dont take offense from it.

Sorry...I'm just used to the "vortex-ers" poking fun...and it's almost never really just poking fun.  I understand!

I have had people tell me that it is rather easy to drive a MK1 w/o power steering. I guess I could take your guys suggestions and just save myself the headache and go w/o it. And if I decide that I need it, I will just have to put it in...right?

Maybe I should find someone locally to show me how "easy" it is to drive a MK1 w/o any power steering...any volunteers?  

[burn_your_money]

The power and non power racks are completely different. Driving a mk1 with a proper manual rack is much, much easier then a power steering rack without a pump. Alignment and tire width are also factors to consider.

[Tag-Along]

The power and non power racks are completely different. Driving a mk1 with a proper manual rack is much, much easier then a power steering rack without a pump. Alignment and tire width are also factors to consider.

Any particular manual rack I should look for?

[burn_your_money]

I don't know if VW changed their racks around between the german/us rabbits etc so I don't know. Going with one from a 81-84 should be a safe bet