Author Topic: manual steering for MKII? (Read 4445 times)

zyewdall · « **on:** January 25, 2006, 12:17:42 pm »

Hmmm. Well I took the GTI for a little test drive yesterday, and it's got a pretty stiff steering now that I don't have a power steering pump any more. I thought for a car this light, it wouldn't need it (I've disconnected the power steering pump on subaru's before and it wasn't too bad). I'm wondering if I can get a manual steering rack for it. Or just learn to live with it. I only really noticed it trying to parallel park, and I like the stiff feel better on the road.

Master ACiD · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2006, 09:54:10 pm »

power steering racks, even when full of fluid, do not have any more drag than a straight manual rack.

to test this, jack up the front of youre car so both tyres are off the ground. now get in and turn the steering wheel from lock to lock. notice how it is effortless to turn.

all of the drag you normally expierence is from the tyres resistance to the ground.

mpg · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2006, 10:22:08 pm »

agreed. Once you start moving, the power rack (when fluid-less) should operate the same as a regular manual rack

ODwyerPW · « **Reply #3 on:** June 19, 2006, 11:06:32 pm »

Most cars with power assisted steering have lower lock to lock ratios than cars with manual steering. Therefore, a car with busted power steering is tougher to turn as you don't have the gearing working in your favor.

I had a 76 Volvo 245 with busted power steering...tough to parallel park. I think for the power steered car the ratio was 2.7 turns lock to lock....with manual steering it was 3.5 lock to lock. So you are talking about a difference of about 20-25%. Gives you Popeye arms!

I don't know if that was the case with MK2 cars. I had an 85 Jetta GL and an 87 Jetta GL, both with Manual steering. Not bad.

Master ACiD · « **Reply #4 on:** June 20, 2006, 12:51:40 am »

no doubt if the ratios are different it would make a difference, but there is no added effort to a power rack when the pump is disconnected. the fluyid is thin and takes no effort to push around. id be willing to bet theres no discernable difference between a rack full of fluid and no pump versus a rack empty of fluid and again no pump. the fluid doesnt change anything.

SMOKEYDUB · « **Reply #5 on:** June 20, 2006, 06:07:14 pm »

i own a manual steering car and it is much easier then my friends jetta with powersteering minus the pump. so i would say for sure they are different it s even a totally different rack all together

wyldman · « **Reply #6 on:** July 10, 2006, 02:21:38 pm »

Rack is different,as it the night and day difference in steering effort.

Rebuilt manual racks are pretty cheap,just swap it.You will probably have to replece the lower steering shaft assy,as it is longer on the manual rack.You will also need the longer boot to cover it.

MaxHedrm · « **Reply #7 on:** July 10, 2006, 04:05:20 pm »

Not only that but the power rack is likely heavier. Less weight = Good.

Black Smokin' Diesel · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2006, 04:18:40 pm »

Never run a power rack with no fluid in it, it's designed to be lubricated. Disconnect the lines going to the pump, use a T connector, connect the lines to the T and fill the rack with PS fluid and then plug the T.

And then get rid of that damn pump.

zyewdall · « **Reply #9 on:** August 21, 2006, 09:03:32 pm »

Quote from: Black Smokin' Diesel

Never run a power rack with no fluid in it, it's designed to be lubricated. Disconnect the lines going to the pump, use a T connector, connect the lines to the T and fill the rack with PS fluid and then plug the T.

And then get rid of that damn pump.

Oh, I already got rid of the pump, but I didn't fill the rack with fluid. I'll do that, to at least keep it lubricated till I get a manual rack. I suspected the ratio was different -- because it's way harder to parallel park than my old pickup truck with manual steering that probably weighs 50% more up front.