My P/S rack is junk. It was leaking from just about every seal. I tried to rebuild it myself, but the bearings where bad and are not available. I also messed up the end housing pulling the bushing out. SO I have decided to convert to manual steering. I ordered a manual rack from a 90-91 323 DX. (I went through Junkyarddog.com and got a place in Ohio; it cost me $125 to my door. It is supposed to be from a low mileage 323 that was rear ended, but that is what the all say).
Here what I have so far:
1) The mounting tabs for the 4x4 are unique. The spacing is about 2" shorter. I think I can move the RT side mount point over on the rack. It should work, but I may have problems with the "boot" at full extension on that side. Won't know for sure until I get it mounted in the car.
2) Tie rods are shorter for the 4x4.
3) The rack bodies are the same length
4) The manual rack extends about 1 inch longer than the 4x4 at full lock. I may have to put "stops" in. But I won't know for sure until I have the rest of the front suspension back together.
5) The manual rack is a whole lot lighter then the P/S rack. I don't have a good scale here, but we're talking about maybe 10 lbs. I might be full of it with that guess, but it is a bunch of weight. Between my A/C and P/S delete, I thinking I'm shedding close to 50 LBS off the front.
I've got the new rack stripped, cleaned and ready for paint. I'll post pics as soon as I get the time to resize them
Here what I have so far:
1) The mounting tabs for the 4x4 are unique. The spacing is about 2" shorter. I think I can move the RT side mount point over on the rack. It should work, but I may have problems with the "boot" at full extension on that side. Won't know for sure until I get it mounted in the car.
2) Tie rods are shorter for the 4x4.
3) The rack bodies are the same length
4) The manual rack extends about 1 inch longer than the 4x4 at full lock. I may have to put "stops" in. But I won't know for sure until I have the rest of the front suspension back together.
5) The manual rack is a whole lot lighter then the P/S rack. I don't have a good scale here, but we're talking about maybe 10 lbs. I might be full of it with that guess, but it is a bunch of weight. Between my A/C and P/S delete, I thinking I'm shedding close to 50 LBS off the front.
I've got the new rack stripped, cleaned and ready for paint. I'll post pics as soon as I get the time to resize them
Comment