manual steering parts?

[ndustrl]

I want to convert my 90 944 S2 to manual steering, exactly what do I need to get from the doner car to convert my car to manual steering? Does anyone have these parts or know where else to look and buy? I checked with Parts Heaven and they are all out right now. Also if anyone needs the power steering parts let me know or if anyone wants to trade for my good power steering parts I'd be willing do do that as well?

hmooney@restoreandmore.com

[AznDrgn]

you will need a manual rack, shaft from the steering column to the rack, two late off set tie rods and ends. A trade most likely won't happen since the last decent rack set I saw sold for about $400.

[tifosiman]

AznDrgn pretty much nailed the list of parts on the head. The late-offset manual tie rods are NLA or very difficult to find here in the states. The only place I know that stocks them is Andial in California. If it helps, here are some part#'s for you; this is an excerpt from an article I wrote for doing a proper manual steering rack swap:

"To convert the 944 to proper manual steering takes somewhat more than simply disconnecting the pump and fluid lines. This method works, but the ratio on the un-assisted power rack is wrong and extremely “heavy”. To do it properly, you will need the following:
1 manual steering rack, part# 944.347.011.00
2 manual rack inner tie rod ends, part# 944.347.033.01
2 manual rack outer tie rod ends, part# 944.347.333.01
Drivers side and passenger side rack boots, part#’s 171.419.831.c and 171.419.832.c respectively
1 manual steering rack intermediate shaft, part# 944.347.027.01
I sourced most of my parts second-hand from various 1983 model year 944’s. This article concerns doing the rack swap on a 1985.5 944 (“early offset”). The procedure is basically the same for all 1982 thru 1986 model year 944’s, including the turbo models (the only notable difference on these models is the brake booster heat shield which gets in the way during intermediate shaft removal and replacement). Post 86 cars that have “late offset” share the same basic procedure, with one exception being in the parts list mentioned above. Post-86 cars have longer outer tie rod ends. For these you would need to source part# 944.347.033.03 from your local dealer, or custom aftermarket units from a vendor such as Andial. At this time, I would also like to comment that used intermediate shafts usually have a slight bit of play in the u-joints. If in doubt, purchase this part new (available from www.944online.com and www.*****************.com )."

If you get the parts and need some more info/instructions on doing the swap, contact me. It's not a difficult job, it took me an afternoon on a Saturday doing all the work by myself (except for a helper that was needed for about 5 minutes to hold the steering wheel straight while installing the manual intermediate shaft).

[ndustrl]

Thanks for the list of parts. You guys are great! I figured I couldn't get away with just a rack from an 83. Thanks for clearing this up.

I hadn't thought about it untill I saw tifosiman reply, but is there any reason I can't run the power steering rack temporarly disconnected until I get all the parts for the conversion or would this be to difficult to drive? This would be temporary and for street use only untill I get the other parts collected for the swap. I'd like to get her on the road since it may take a while to get all the parts.

tifosiman - thanks for the detailed info and links. I appreciate the offer to help with info/instructions I am sure I will be in touch offline. If you don't mind would you be willing to give me a phone number by email so I can call you to chat about this or other 944 issues I may run into? If you'd prefer to only interact by email I'll understand, no problem.

Thanks in advance,

Herb Mooney
hmooney@restoreandmore.com
Dillsburg, PA
1990 944 S2

[tifosiman]

Herb,

No problem. PM me and I will give you my email address.

As far as running without a pump and the lines, goes, you can. You will need to purchase some regular bolts that are the same size as the two banjo bolts that connect the two lines to the rack, and fill it with fluid before inserting the new bolts (the fluid is the lubricant for the power rack). HOWEVER: the un-assisted power rack will not be enjoyable, and no where near the feel of the proper manual rack with the correct ratio. Personally, I wouldn't do it.

Good luck!

[ndustrl]

How about this rack, but it's not the right part number though:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7955774624&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT