p/s issue

[emolineaux]

ok well once again im having a problem with my power steering. i got to work and i see that there were some dripps in front of my car after i backed into my spot. so i wanted to get some opinions before i go the route im thinking. first i only drive the car every now and again but i will be doing alot more driving when summer hits. so would it be better just to replace all my p/s stuff with new since its got 112k on it all.(pump is new) or should i look for a manual rack? (how is the manual rack for daily driving)

[WildBillyT]

You have large sticky front tires, right? If so, the manual rack will probably suck for a DD.

[emolineaux]

i have 245s up front little skinnier than stock 17inch size

[deadtrend1]

Originally Posted by emolineaux

i have 245s up front little skinnier than stock 17inch size

still a pain in the ass to dry turn with no power assist.

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by deadtrend1

still a pain in the ass to dry turn with no power assist.

Yep. Manual steering is pretty much not worth it in your case.

[sweetbmxrider]

take your belt off and try driving up and down the street making a couple turns from a dead stop. why replace everything? what is leaking?

[emolineaux]

not sure where its leaking from now. i havent got a chance to check under the car because im at work. my guess would be either the rack or the lines. if i do buy a new rack anyone know the differance between the 93-99 and the 00-02s? gm has 2 different part numbers. i figure if the newer years are better i might just throw one of them in.

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

take your belt off and try driving up and down the street making a couple turns from a dead stop. why replace everything? what is leaking?

Driving a car with a manual rack is completely different from driving a car with a power rack that isn't getting any assist from the pump.

OP: The only real issues with the manual rack will be when you are turning at low speeds, like in a parking lot. Out on the road you would hardly be able to tell the difference. I would still lean towards fixing the power steering system unless the car was going to be dragstrip oriented.

- Justin

[sweetbmxrider]

Originally Posted by Tru2Chevy

Driving a car with a manual rack is completely different from driving a car with a power rack that isn't getting any assist from the pump.

OP: The only real issues with the manual rack will be when you are turning at low speeds, like in a parking lot. Out on the road you would hardly be able to tell the difference. I would still lean towards fixing the power steering system unless the car was going to be dragstrip oriented.

- Justin

how is that different from driving a p/s car with the belt off? sure the manual rack is designed for it and i bet the gearing is different but if your belt falls off, turning at low speeds/stops is very difficult while driving at normal speeds is relatively the same.

in either case, its stupid on a dd IMO

[98tadriver]

Originally Posted by deadtrend1

still a pain in the ass to dry turn with no power assist.

hell, its hard to steer with skinnies

dunno how much easier the manual rack would make it.

if i recall, the manual rack conversion is expensive!

[98tadriver]

Originally Posted by emolineaux

not sure where its leaking from now. i havent got a chance to check under the car because im at work. my guess would be either the rack or the lines. if i do buy a new rack anyone know the differance between the 93-99 and the 00-02s? gm has 2 different part numbers. i figure if the newer years are better i might just throw one of them in.

put some stopleak in it

[WildBillyT]

Originally Posted by sweetbmxrider

how is that different from driving a p/s car with the belt off? sure the manual rack is designed for it and i bet the gearing is different but if your belt falls off, turning at low speeds/stops is very difficult while driving at normal speeds is relatively the same.

in either case, its stupid on a dd IMO

You just answered your own question. The steering ratios are different and in some cases the steering components are designed with different geometry in mind to maximize mechanical advantage.

[deadtrend1]

Originally Posted by WildBillyT

You just answered your own question. The steering ratios are different and in some cases the steering components are designed with different geometry in mind to maximize mechanical advantage.

yep. Basically its geared down to make turning with no power easier

[sweetbmxrider]

ok i thought so. but its still crappy turning at low speeds or stopped. dding it would suck!

[NJ346]

Erik, if your rack is leaking, I have a used rack that I picked up for my car because it was leaking too, but I decided that if it still works, and it's not performance oriented, i'm not taking the 5 hours outta my life to change it out. I have lucas stop leak in there and it works great in the summer, but in the winter, I have to turn the wheel both ways twice to get the fluid flowing since it's pretty much as thick as honey. It leaks very little now, and if you look it up, changing the rack is a pain in the ass. If you want the rack I have, throw me an offer for it, I was told it doesn't leak, and there is no play in the rod ends so it seems to be in great shape.

[emolineaux]

i changed one out in my 93 it wasnt to bad. i have off tomorrow so ill get under there and see whats going on with her