Anybody put a manual rack in their coug/bird?
How was the low speed steering effort?
Nobody has done manual steering? Guess that should tell me something right there. LOL
After reading about it, I decided that it would be too much work for me.
Why manual steering?The pump doesn't draw that much power at all,and the easy of steering far exceeds the loss of weight and horsepower lost.
Mostly because of my leaking rack, leaking messy lines, and noisey as hell pump.
Just kicking around the idea of getting rid of it once and for all, but wondering how it was driving around town.
I wouldn't do it! The cars are too heavy and you would certainly find it uncomfortable to manuver...
Replace the pump and rack and hose seals.That's what I did,no issues or leaks since then.WELL worth the time and effort.
That was my concern, these are a little heavier than Stangs and my front tires are 235's.
I rather liked my car without power steering. It did take alittle bit more effort, but nothing like a mazda or ranger pick up is without it. I really enjoyed it actually.
i'm a little late on this but............
i used a manual flaming river rack in my 85. easy to steer. it had 225-55-16's on the front and a 460 under the hood.
Thanks fordguy, how big a fella are you? lol:D
i'm an average 190# out of shape 37 yo guy :D
really, the steering is easy. at speeds under 5mph you need to give a little more effort but it's not bad. as long as your not using a 10" steering wheel you will be fine.
Sounds like me 225# out of shape 37 y/o LOL
I should be able to turn it also then.
I liked it when I was 16. 140lbs and 6'4. Its not like older cars are without power steering. I just blew the pump though. I didn't actually swap in a new rack.
Is it the standard Mustang rack, to use on a 88 cougar?
yup
dont you have to use different tie rods than the mustang?
I dunno, anybody?
I pulled a rack right out of an 87 mustang gt and threw it right in my thunderbird. I couldn't tell any difference and reused the old parts connected to it. They looked like they were brand new and had a blue color to them. I didn't modify anything.
Thunderbird rack length = Mustang rack length
Tie rod ends are different for an 88 like mine. The 86 and earlier might be same as a mustang