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General Information => Upgrades (non engine related ) => Topic started by: rallydiesel on June 23, 2008, 04:21:19 pm

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: rallydiesel on June 23, 2008, 04:21:19 pm

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

(http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2333000-2333999/2333053_84_full.jpg)

Stay tuned for a DIY.

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

(http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2333000-2333999/2333053_85_full.jpg)

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: foxracer1 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?

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: jtanguay 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 :)

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: burn_your_money 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:

Title: Re: Manual steering swap
Post by: Ziptar on June 24, 2008, 10:44:00 am

Quote from: "rallydiesel"

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

(http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/5/web/2333000-2333999/2333053_84_full.jpg)

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


That beer is Empty!!!!!

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: gigaz2 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

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: foxracer1 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.

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: zukgod1 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..

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: gigaz2 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..

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: burn_your_money 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:

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: lord_verminaard 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

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: lord_verminaard 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.  :D  I'd say it's a very minor annoyance that you soon forget about.

Brendan

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: burn_your_money 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.

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: madmedix 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.  :D
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

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: rallydiesel 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.

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: smutts on August 15, 2008, 05:48:17 pm

Parking my GTD with manual steering has me cursing and I am not exactly wimpy. I pity the Missus though, she has been forced to use the older GTD to get to work. She is eight stone (110lbs?) and is not exactly enjoying it much. :wink:

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: jtanguay on August 16, 2008, 04:09:14 pm

i wonder if a european mk3 setup could be transplanted into a mk4...?  the tie rods themselves should be long enough right???  i found parking my '86 jetta was fairly easy even with mech steering.  a little difficult to do one handers, but it was managable.  skinny tires help  :lol:

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: gigaz2 on August 16, 2008, 09:49:01 pm

mk2 and mk3 manual steering box is the same. (check on etka, same partnumber)
the rods are longer on the mk3

the problem would be to couple the beetle steering column to the much lower non PS box. (weird angle)

Title: Manual steering swap
Post by: rallydiesel on April 23, 2009, 06:27:40 pm

Finally started the swap. As far as the steering u-joint differences- the manual rack has a smaller diameter knurled post and sits lower than the power steering post. One thing I am missing that I wasn't aware of before, the manual tie rods attach to the rack with a lock nut, while the power steering tie rods use loctite. The rack and tie rods I have (both brand new) didn't come with the lock nuts. You will also need to get the boot clamps as they didn't come with the inner tie rod boots.

Also, the power steering rack only has one steering rack bracket. The other side bracket is integrated into the rack itself. And the rubber bushings are different between the manual and power racks.

Part numbers:

Tie rod inner lock nuts: 171419855
Small boot clips: 171419838
Large boot clips N90355001