I found a manual steering rack online for about $130 and I was wondering what the pros and cons were to having a manual rack, and also other differences between the two racks besides the lack of power steering. I heard the ratios were different, but I don't know by how much. Basically, would you guys recommend getting one for a guy that drives his car daily and doesn't mind the extra effort because he goes to the gym all the time? thanks guys!

 

Manual rack does take a little more turning. If you do the manual conversion, you'll need the manual steering shaft. The manual shafts are stronger for the extra force. Personally, front engine cars with manual racks are a little more work than what it's worth. If your racing its a little different story.

 

Yes it is recommended you pick it up! A lot of owners go power to manual. There are a couple different manual racks, one is a quick ratio rack that came on early cars with the sport option. The number on it is 944 347 015 00. This rack was later used on turbo cup cars. $130 is a great deal too.

 

That's a good price, so buy it anyway and if you don't use it you won't lose any money when you sell, just make sure the rack comes with a steering shaft with tight bearings.

What steering wheel, wheels, tires do you have? The manual racks are ok on a dd at any speed above a crawl so parallel parking becomes harder but regular driving slow or fast is just fine. If you run stock sized 15/16in wheels and tires and the stock steering wheel. If you run a smaller aftermarket steering wheel, 17in+ wheels and wider tires up front you might find a manual rack a little tiring for a dd.

 

I don't know if the shafts for manual racks are stronger, but they are longer. The PS shaft will not work with a manual rack.

 

I have used all three. Power, modified depowered, and true manual. For that price buy it and try it for a month. If you don't like it swap back to power, sell manual rack for a little profit. I've seen them go for $250 easy.

 

I really like the feel of my manual rack. Other than parking I don't notice the extra effort. I also don't miss the leaking PS fluid.

 

I converted a power rack to manual and love it!! You sort of learn all the tricks and subtle habits that make it no harder to live with than a power rack. For instance, in my car there is a certain crawling speed you can go that makes steering incredibly easy. This makes parking lot navigation a breeze. Parallel parking is no harder with a manual rack.

Definitely do it. You won't be sorry.

 

I've done both too. I like the manual rack until you find a hairpin that you can't make without repositioning your hands. The feel of the manual is better, coupled with not leaking fluid everywhere it's a good solution. Sometimes I do miss the quick ratio though.

 

Want to double your money? Seriously, I need one for the race car. Please let me know if you decide not to use it.
Thanks,
Guy

 

Has the sport option rack ending in 00 ever been confirmed? Every time I bring it up someone chimes in to say it was just a casting number and is nothing different than any other manual steering rack.
Not to thread jack too much, I have the 00 steering rack in my daily driver. Like mentioned before, there is a learning curve to driving a manual rack car. I like mine and have no desire to change it for a power rack.

 

That is a good question. So far I'm not convinced more than one exists.

 

Easy way to confirm is count the steering turns lock to lock of your 00 rack and ill do the same with my regular manuak rack and post back here.

 

I am looking forward to the results. Don't let me down

 

It's not the 00 that designates it, it's the 015. Normal manual racks have the number 011 instead of the 015. I think someone compared the two, and the 015 indeed has the better ratio. My car is up on jack stands right now, but I have the 015 rack and would be happy to compare with someone that has a 011 one.