Disconnecting Powersteering to make manual

[hockeyhead019]

Hey guys,

Just a quick question, anybody have any thoughts/experiences with removing the power steering element of the 944 and just making it a manual?

I ask b/c I'm looking at an 87 944 NA with a slight PS leak. I'm just thinking worst case scenario that the rack needs replacement so I was just curious about if there was a downside to just making it a manual and what the process of that was.

Thanks!!

[GreenWater]

Here is my 2 cents. I had power steering, then it started leaking. I bought a rebuilt rack from AZ, the first one was defective, returned it, and the second one had the seals in backwards and leaked all the fluid out as soon as I started the car, the third one I just installed and it seems like it's going to be fine. I drove my car without powersteering for about a year. All I did was take off the powersteering belt. Other people have told me to remove the cap for the reservoir so the system doesn't build up pressure, but I never had a problem with it. I am happy to have my powersteering back.


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[emoore924]

I thought the p/s -v- manual racks had different ratios. Might make using the p/s manually an arm builder. But if you don't mind, then go for it. Take the belt off and see how you like it.

[cauzomb]

my p/s started leaking bigtime out of the main rack seals so I drained all the fluid and removed the belt till I found an 84 with a manual rack, got the rack and the steering linkage from the 84.. As long as the car is moving the steering is very tactile, lots of road feel.. just like an old vw but as soon as you need to park the car.. it's a workout.

[andyshoun]

My power steering unit was leaking when I bought the car. I pulled the pump and looped the lines to keep stuff out of the rack. It was hard to steer when parking. Then I bought a used manual rack. It was bad, so I bought another. It works fine. If I had it to do over, I would have left the unpowered power steering rack in the car. I drive the car at the track and would rather have the fewer turns lock to lock and don't mind the heavy steering when parking.

[HondaDustR]

I've been driving with the belt off for awhile and love it. Once you build up a little bit of muscle, it's no big deal. So much feedback in the corners, esp in slippery conditions. I've done it off and on until one of the reservoir hoses started leaking and just havent gotten around to fixing it...don't really care at this point. If the manual rack has more turns lock to lock, I'll just stick with the depowered power rack. Only time it sucks is when you have a coffee in hand and are trying to get out of a parking spot. Best part is letting someone else drive...