Manual Steering Swap

[yundar]

Hi All,

I have been thinking about swaping in a manual steering rack on my 87 NA autocross car. Do I need to change the intermediate shaft too when I go to a manual rack? I realize that I will need to change the tie rods which I need to replace anyhow on the PS rack. Are there any other concerns with this? Which cars had the manual rack in them from the factory? Is it just the 83 944 or can I use one from a 924? Are all of the manual racks the 015 sport model? Lastly does anyone have one for sale right now?

Thanks, Andy.

[v2rocket_aka944]

924 rack will not work, the mounts to the crossmember are very different.

In USA manual steering only came on some 1983 models.
You need to use the manual intermediate shaft with the manual rack.
You could have a 924 manual intermediate shaft shortened to work though.

[Daddyfatbacks]

Did manual swap on my 88 NA after power steering leaks became too numerous. Love the feedback, very responsive, can feel road surface in the wheel through turns. Just have to find a decent rack. I broke mine down and regreased, checked teeth. You do have to get manual intermediate shaft too. Make sure to check the u-joint. If there is any play if will feel HORRIBLE going down road. Borgeson can make one too for a few hundred $ if you can't find one in good condition. I got the complete tie rods from Lindsey racing to match up w rack. Would not recommend trying to piece together w other make parts like some threads may tempt. The OEM parts are worth it. Save up funds if you have to and keep it OEM . the feel will be worth it. If I remember right the swap still came out cheaper than a new power rack.
Good luck
Hope this helps

[944tothefloor]

I will back up the above post. I swapped in a manual rack on my 86 turbo and it feels great -- I haven't looked back once. I've had mine on for 2 years now. I would certainly seek a rack and shaft with as little play as possible, as mentioned. You'll definitely want to re-grease the rack. If I'm not mistaken, your car needs early tie rod ends to fit an early rack.

[yorkee]

If you are on a AX car, manual steering rack might be a disadvantage on a tight course. The tighter the corner the more physical effort you need to make the turn. As the demand of the physical effort increase, turning the steering will be slower, and you will naturally slow down the car to wait for your arm to turn steering wheel.

[Daddyfatbacks]

I have auto crossed mine w manual steering. The feedback is worth extra effort. I found I could feel the tires breaking point better, thus more comfortable pushing it, going faster.
I am not a big guy by anyone's measure. If you you are having trouble steering a manual rack on a little 944 take it as a sign from the universe you need to go to the gym

Cheers

[944tothefloor]

They're pretty easy once the car is moving. Standstill can take some effort, but even at 1/2 MPH it really frees up. Matter of opinion I guess.
And I don't do AX but I use plenty of tight turns and backroads, it's been nothing but pleasure. Manual steering is really for the true driver. It reveals the characteristics of the Porsche machine, not unlike manual gear shifting.

[Arthropraxis]

Originally Posted by yorkee

If you are on a AX car, manual steering rack might be a disadvantage on a tight course. The tighter the corner the more physical effort you need to make the turn. As the demand of the physical effort increase, turning the steering will be slower, and you will naturally slow down the car to wait for your arm to turn steering wheel.

I have a "sport" manual steering rack. At the end of the range the steering gets easier. I have 225 17 in front tires.

[andyshoun]

I ran my '86 steering rack 'looped" without the pump before converting to an early manual rack. If I had the parts I would switch back to the original de-powered rack. It is harder to turn in a parking situation, but more turns lock to lock mean you have to twist the wheel farther in a turn. I think the tie rods ends are more expensive for the manual rack. I suggest you try the free depowered rack with the lines looped first. Worst case you don't like it and continue on with the conversion.

[yundar]

Thanks for all the info... I shall continue my quest to find a manual steering rack! Anyone have one for sale?

Andy.

[Arizona_928]

Just disassemble yours. Plug all the feed lines. Remove the washers in the middle of the shaft, Grease the whole thing, and reassemble. Works very very well, and cheap.

[jcommin]

The manual intermediate shaft is in no longer available. Ian, 944 online, sells a manual shaft that is a modified shaft from a PS shaft.