I don't know what it all entails but the PO of my cabby did just that. He said the power rack went out so he put a used manual one in and removed the pump and hoses. It has worked great for me for 4 years.
#1
Power steering pump blew out. Don't really feel like spending the dough to replace the pump as the rack itself if leaking fluid. It is possible to just replace the power steering rack with a manual and gut out the extra stuff (pump, fluid reservoir, hoses) in the engine compartment?
#2
I don't know what it all entails but the PO of my cabby did just that. He said the power rack went out so he put a used manual one in and removed the pump and hoses. It has worked great for me for 4 years.
#3
You can keep the same rack w/o P/S. It will work just like a manual. All you need to do is get a piece of hose and connect the inlet to the outlet with some clamps, and for $5 you have yourself a manual rack. Just make sure you fill the rack with p/s fluid before you seal it up. That's how mine is set up. And you can save youeself the total boaitch of swapping the racks.
#4
Interesting. The P/S for my '88 Cabbie leaks in that I have to top off the fluid reservior about every 6 weeks or so. I thought about changing mine to manual steering. Your answer sounds like a winner. However, I'm not sure where the leak is coming from. Its not the reservior. I suspect leaky seals.You said to fill up the rack with P/S fluid before sealing up the hoses. So, if I follow your suggestion, will I still have leaks?
Other than that, I guess it would be ok to remove the reservior and pump.
#5
If it is leaking from the rack, then simply filling and capping off won't be the solution. But if the PS pump is leaking, then capping off works fine.
#6
Quote, originally posted by JPX » If it is leaking from the rack, then simply filling and capping off won't be the solution. But if the PS pump is leaking, then capping off works fine. Right. But the racks rarely leak. Well, way less often than the rest. Usually it's the pump or hoses that go. Anyway, it's worth a try first before you spring for a manny and a days worth or greasy work
#7
what about draining the rack and using it dry? what are the complications involved with that?
#8
Power racks are a much quicker ratio, 3 1/3 turns, lock to lock vs. 3 3/4 turns lock to lock with a manual.
Yes, you can remove the pump and run a power rack with no assist, the result will be pretty heavy steering and not much fun.If you do choose to convert to a manual rack, tie rods are different than with power.
Also, if the car has a manual transmission, be sure to specify that when ordering either rack, racks for automatic transmission cars lack an essential manual trans shift linkage bracket.
_____________________
_____________________
(hey, it's VW AND it's electrical, what's not to fail?)
neoBentley+
#9
also, when i changed mine over to a manual rack i found the steering linkage was different.
the steering linkage for the power rack was shorter if a remember right.
#10
Most people us a manual rack from a Rabbit and that's where the steering linkage is different. A manual rack from a cabby should not be any different than the power rack when considering the u-joint hookup.
#11
that might of been it then, my manual rack was from an 82 'vert.
#12
what about a rabbit gti manual steering rack? i would imagine that has a quicker steering ratio than the normal manual steering rack. I actually happen to have one on hand. Has anybody tried this or happen to know how many turns lock to lock?also, the way i understand what has been said, you can use a manual (transmission) steering rack on an automatic car, but not vice-versa?
#13
The GTI rack is the same as the other manual racks. Again the u-joints won't line up without retrofitting parts.Yes you can use a manual rack in an automatic car but NOT the other way around. There is a special bracket welded to the manual rack for the linkage. The auto rack doesn't have any such item.
#14
So if the manual tran manual rack I got from ktm didn't work in the '88 cabby he has for his girl (has P/S), then it won't work without an appropriate column in my '82, either? Must be that whole US built vs. German built thing.
#15
you don't ned the whole column just the little u-joint end that goes from the column to the rack. it adds about 5mins to the swap... pretty easy!
#16
bringing this back real quick....so if you take the reservoir out and hook up the hoses you dont need to take the power steering pump out right....also where would i add P/S fluid through?? just pour it down the tube or how? thanks
#17
question still isnt answered, without jerry rigging and nursing it with a loop fluid line or buying a new manual rack and all.question is: how is this done properly with used parts on my 5spd 90 cabby? can i use the 5spd trans power column and u joint from my cabby with a manual rack from any mk1 with no problems? or do i need the same u joint that corresponds with the certain manual rack i picked up??
#18
Just drain out the old ps fluid, and pump in grease, then cap.I agree I changed out a ps rack, and it wasn't a Beeeatch it was a major PITA.
Grounds, Grounds, Grounds Replace them things.
Divorces, Great Coffee, and Electrics, all start with GOOD Grounds.
92, 93 Cabriolet
#19
yeh but i have poly urethane rack bushings and it wont work with the PS rack only manual?? how do i use them then?
#20
so if going from power to to manual in a cabby using the rabbit rack the u-joint is shorter. this is what i saw last night while installing the rack....what vehicle do i need the u-joint from the rabbit or a manual cabby?
Posting Permissions
- 
