stefke

I'm still in between choices. I want to build in one of those Rack and Pinion kits, but should i use the powered one or the non-powered one.

It's going in an 1970 coupe, that is under construction. It has a 5.0 HO engine in it eith an AOD tranny. I was planning on using front tires that are 225 in witdh. If i were to go for 1 with powered rack and pinion, i would like a more modern steerring pump. Any suggestion would be great.

Thanks,
Steffan

PaulS

Don't the power R&P steering kits come with pumps? They really haven't changed much in the last 40 years.

001mustang

I installed manual rack because less things to break/leak and less clutter.

I grew up driving manual steering so no big deal to me.

If you want it to steer like new car then must go power.

I set my new manual rack up w/ +4 Caster which I like.

Tracks firmly straight ahead on interstate.

stefke

A different question: Is it true that a non-powered rack and pinion kit steers (a bit) easier (lighter) on low speeds (parking or turning) than the original manual steerring?

I drive a 1966 coupe as a daily driver and this car doesn't have powersteerring. So i'm quite used to it after 2 years. If is does steer lighter than the original setup, then i'm going for a non-powered setup. It would make the engine bay look a lot cleaner.

001mustang

My manual rack steered easier in parking lot than my worn out box at OEM caster settings. To be fair, a broken in rack should be compared to a rebuilt box w/ similar ratios. Box will likely return to center w/ less resistance than a tightly preloaded rack; that is why rack likes more caster. More caster increases steering effort and straight line stability. As rack breaks in, return to center improves and less caster is required. Some racks allow user to tinker w/ gear mesh preload while other racks discourage user tampering; warrenty risk.

Rack should last many years w/ litttle steering play.
If you ever watch Andy, you may wonder how long a box will last before steering wheel play sets in.
Not a fan of worn box steering wheel play.

I suspect most people would prefer power rack for drivability; including me.
I have so many things to maintain, I just don't wont the extra headache of maintaining power rack.

eZ

I have heard on many occassion that the unisteer manual rack made it easier to steer that standard steering.

Nobody likes a worn out box!