Removing power steering

[Jimmy]

If one wanted to remove the power steering from an NA, what parts need to be replaced/removed. Am in the market for another five and i may have found one but it has ps which i dont want. Do i keep looking or is it a relatively easy labour job? Thoughts?

[irwin83r]

how much wieght would you save? or is it more a feed back feel preference thing?

[Jimmy]

Not a weight issue at all, if it was i'd run more! Its purely about feedback and feeling the road through the wheel. Personal preference really.

[Matty]

There are two ways. You can fit a manual rack, which has a slower ratio, or you can de-power the PS rack which gives you the faster ratio, but more weight.

If you have A/C you will need a new belt and a tensioner pulley and bracket to keep the belt tight (I have one you can have if you want).

A manual rack won't give you any more 'feel', it will just make the steering heavier.

[Jimmy]

Id most probably go to what ive got currently on my five which would be the manual rack. This other five has air con so given that, is it very labour intensive to replace the lot? (i would have no idea with this) and also any rough estimates? If it all works out to much, i think ill keep looking for \"just what i want\".

[Russellb]

Removing the PS is an Easy job. The rack is held in buy 4bolts Plus one on the spline that connect the rack to the Stering Wheel. Most of the Older people like the feel of PS so find someone that wants PS and do a deal with them.
or buy a Manual Steer rack and sell your PS setup. either way its not too bad. If you have AC then you will need a new tensioner.

Drop buy if you need to have a chat have most Manual Steer parts in stock.

[Jimmy]

Cheers Russ, ill drop by and have a chat etc.

[kula]

I replaced my manual rack with a manualised powersteering rack,
mainly for the quicker ratio, 15:1 vs 18:1. Its a bit nicer to drive now. Effort has increased, but not majorly.

I opened up the rack and did it properly ala flyin miata.

[Jimmy]

Thanks lads for your input. Thanks for the pulley offer Matty, ill see how i go (if i get the car) and i might be in touch. I guess what i could do is remove the power steering but keep the rack, see how it goes and if i dont like it, i could do what Russ suggested and swap the complete power steering unit for a manual one.

[wun911]

1 If you took the air con out does this 'tensioner' also have to be replaced?

2 What if took out both PS and AC do I still need a new 'tensioner'

[kula]

nope. that whole belt can be removed, you will only need the one for the alternator then. thats how i roll ;0

[CapitalF]

Jimmy

I too would like a bit more \"feel\" through the steering. I do find my Power Steer NA rather light and have considered manual steer - have yet to drive someone elses car with manual steer to compare though. I do like the speed of it and unsure again if the slower manual steer would be a step backward.

I have the MOMO steering wheel and thought I might increase feel enough by changing the steering wheel down one size. Yet to do it - would others agree this might increase feel at all?.. or just increase effort req'd? This might suit you too Jimmy?

I'm doing mainly motorkhanas/autocross/skidpan/touring events and only occasional trackwork at present ( more speed events later). No daily driving.

Peter

[Matty]

Jimmy

I too would like a bit more "feel" through the steering. I do find my Power Steer NA rather light and have considered manual steer - have yet to drive someone elses car with manual steer to compare though. I do like the speed of it and unsure again if the slower manual steer would be a step backward.

I have the MOMO steering wheel and thought I might increase feel enough by changing the steering wheel down one size. Yet to do it - would others agree this might increase feel at all?.. or just increase effort req'd? This might suit you too Jimmy?

I'm doing mainly motorkhanas/autocross/skidpan/touring events and only occasional trackwork at present ( more speed events later). No daily driving.

Peter

The 1.6s had very light (over-assisted) power steering (compromised design because time was diverted to develop the manual rack). They fixed it up a bit in the NA8s - if you can get one of those racks it would be an improvement.

A 350mm wheel is also good - a little more weight without restricting the view of the dials too much.

Be careful not to confuse "weight" with "feel" though. Many people think they're the same. The PS rack has just as much feel, it just comes through your fingertips rather than your forearms, and doesn't beat you over the head with it.

[Jimmy]

I have the MOMO steering wheel and thought I might increase feel enough by changing the steering wheel down one size. Yet to do it - would others agree this might increase feel at all?.. or just increase effort req'd? This might suit you too Jimmy?

I have a 320mm wheel which i think is small enough. Ideally i would like a 340 wheel. It requires a little more effort but i really like the way it feels.

Be careful not to confuse \"weight\" with \"feel\" though. Many people think they're the same. The PS rack has just as much feel, it just comes through your fingertips rather than your forearms, and doesn't beat you over the head with it.

You're dead right. (i didnt think \"feel\" was the right word) My main concern is regarding the weight. My current setup with a manual rack and a 320mm and 205's is close to perfect for me. The five im looking at has the standard wheel and ps which is a concern for me (not the wheel but the ps part). I (personally) dont see the point and nor like the feel and weight of powersteering in such a small and light car as the mx. I can see advantages when parking but what percentage of your driving do you spend parking?

I'm still in two minds as to what to do. Get in touch and make an offer or sit tight and keep looking for ones that is exactly what i want. What would you guys do?