[vorwarts]

I just finished a write up from all my experiences and reading about power steering pros and cons. I did it because member JoeB82 had some questions after seeing it listed as one of the mods.

http://mechdb.com/index.php/Power_steering_elimination

I can't say I'd be my life on it being 100% accurate but that's the best I have after several years of driving 3 vehicles all without power steering.

One thing I have to add though, that I didn't mention in the article, if one of your turning wheels is low on air, the U-turn will be a REAL workout, especially when it's a 3800 lb windstar. And I try to keep the articles more encyclopedialike, but talking freely here I have to say, the wheel jerking point I mentioned in it is the worst one period. There's this plaza I pull in all the time where I can't make a turn without power steering without curbing it. And each time I do I nearly have to stop and piss everyone off before me, the few times I haven't, my wrists were literally sore after the wheel was ripped out of my hands with tremendous force lol! But anyways, that's a van and without a manual rack, and only 1 parking lot, so don't let that be a discouragement to anyone intersted in this.

But anyways, what do you people think? Anything I should add/remove? What are your experiences with it?

Oh and one last question, has anyone ever spotted a manual rack in a junkyard in a 2nd gen? I honestly haven't yet, and I've done plenty of looking, I visit some of them very frequently.

 

[denisond3]

That is a great write up! I dont see how it could be better. I dont recall ever having seen a 2nd gen. in a junkyard that didnt have a power steering pump.
I have an 87 Hyundai Excel with manual steering. Its one of the things I like best about the car; very pleasant road feel - even driving in straight lines on interstates.

 

[therieldeal]

a couple years ago i found an escort pony sans engine and trans in the jy. could have pulled the rack easily, but i already had a depowered rack in my GT which worked just fine for me. i dont think i'd like the slower ratio of the manual rack.

the only time ive ever had a hard time turning my car without PS is at slow speeds with my drag radials on

 

[vorwarts]

Thank you! Yeah I don't see how it would have been worth it for you either, since the 2nd gens are lighter and personally like I said I've already done two heavy ass vans with depowered racks lol, that is as bad as it gets. So when I get into a depowered sedan of any sort I honestly can't even feel the lack of power steering.

I think everyone should pull them if they see them in junkyards, since they are rare. You can at last sell it on feoa or something and help a fellow Ford Escort enthusiast out. I know I will if I see one at a junkyard even if I don't need it.

Edit:
Ah you know what, I forgot to put gas mileage as one of the benefits in there. Though it should be obvious to anyone when talking about eliminating parasitic losses, I'm still going to put it in there anyways.

 

[Egnorant]

Manual rack

I like having a manual rack in my 91 Pony!
After 9 years of delivering pizza, it is normal and handles great.

I bought another Pony and have spotted 3 driving in town and 1 in the junkyard.
However I have had 2 go bad with an inner bushing problem.
Why are rebuilts for a manual over $200 and a power unit can be had for $70 to $150.

As for swapping, you also need the mounts and the different connector between the rack and the column.

Bruce

 

[vorwarts]

Really? I experienced no such thing. My rack went right in to my 3rd gen without a different connector or different brackets. As far as I'm aware they are all the same. Hmm.