opinions on manual racks.

[Drweldin]

This link has some good general information, most applicable to our cars:

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

[familyMAN]

This link has some good general information, most applicable to our cars:

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

That looks similar to the one I found for a 240sx.

[1992redvr-4]

This link has some good general information, most applicable to our cars:

http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

So you converted your rack by using this method? Seems like there would need to be more grease in the rack. I may look into this. Any issues besides parking and low speed?

[1992redvr-4]

I'm gonna bump this up.

So how many out there are running manual conveted racks? I'm thinking about doing this to clear up some space and save some weight. Any other known issues besides slow driving and hard parking? I don't plan to drive the car all that often.....

[DocWalt]

I would highly suggest reading this article: Project Miatabusa Part 5 - De-Powering the Steering

The 3S racks work very similar to that. If you're not comfortable doing it that way, I'd suggest not doing it at all.

[EthanS]

First off, its not wise to drive around with not functioning PS system.

They don't make manual racks for the 3/s. You can finagle a 1G DSM rack to fit and extend the drivers shaft an inch or two to reach that knuckle assembly, but that's really your only option for a true manual conversion. LethalVR4 from IA was making racks for a short time but I have no idea if he still does anymore.

It's best to have some rack made up with a shorter clock ratio so to make turning the steering wheel easier while the car isn't rolling. You won't really notice much of a difference while the car is moving.

How is it not wise? I like having more steering feedback. I can't stand driving new cars these days, steering is just completely numb.

Lethal used to live 15min away from me, he now lives in Vermont. The procedure is the same on converting DSM racks to manual as it would be to convert a 3S rack to manual. So why would you finagle a DSM rack?

I assume by clock ratio you mean steering ratio? A shorter/quicker steering ratio (less turns lock to lock) is going to make it harder to steer the car. A slower/longer ratio (more turns lock to lock) will make it easier to steer.

[EthanS]

Review of manual racks ON OUR CARS. Not sub 2000lb miatas.

The Pansy Patrol » Exclusive Review: Lethal_vr4 Manual Steering Rack for 3000GT/Stealth

[EthanS]

So you converted your rack by using this method? Seems like there would need to be more grease in the rack. I may look into this. Any issues besides parking and low speed?

That is the procedure I used to convert mine to manual. Only picture I have of it is when my buddy snuck up on my while I was "lubin' the shaft" (which I did use more grease)

Haven't been able to test drive it yet grr!

[Drweldin]

So you converted your rack by using this method? Seems like there would need to be more grease in the rack. I may look into this. Any issues besides parking and low speed?

no issues to report here

[Greg E]

How is it not wise? I like having more steering feedback. I can't stand driving new cars these days, steering is just completely numb.

Lethal used to live 15min away from me, he now lives in Vermont. The procedure is the same on converting DSM racks to manual as it would be to convert a 3S rack to manual. So why would you finagle a DSM rack?

I assume by clock ratio you mean steering ratio? A shorter/quicker steering ratio (less turns lock to lock) is going to make it harder to steer the car. A slower/longer ratio (more turns lock to lock) will make it easier to steer.

You're right. I should have said longer ratio.

I didn't mean to give the impression that manual racks aren't wise. I was saying its not smart driving around with just your ps system disabled and not converting the rack.