Devildog2067

I picked up a used manual steering rack on eBay, not sure what it originally came off of. I've done two power steering rack swaps and I figured that a power to manual swap would be easier, with no hoses to hook up.

So I get the front sway bar off, old rack out, new rack in... and the u-joint doesn't reach the steering gear. Lay them side by side and sure enough, the power rack's steering gear is about 3 cm "higher" (because of the part where all those allen head banjo bolts attach).

Any ideas? Did I get a 924 part or something? Didn't see a part #, but I didn't look that closely. It's probably under all the dirt, I'll look tomorrow. I'm hoping there's a way out that doesn't involve welding.

BTW, anyone who wants a power steering rack with tie rod ends but w/o hoses, mine's available. The rack wasn't leaking, the pump was, so as far as I know the seals are good.

Oh, and it's an 86 951.

Dmitry S.

Will the 924 rack not bolt on to power steering cars? I have a couple spare 924 racks that i'm thinking about using on my 944, not sure if they'll work.

Manning

I don't know if the (early, non S) 924 rack will mount up or not, but it is definitely different. The 924 manual racks I have seen seemed to have integral mounting bracket versus the ones used on our cars with rubber bushings between

I converted my 924S to manual not quite 2 years ago and the swap was very straight forward. Actually the hardest part of the whole ordeal was removing the pump and the cooler loop.

I have heard the intermediate shaft (shaft with the U-joints) is different between power and manual and indeed they have different part numbers. However, when I installed my rack, with the correct manual steering intermediate shaft, I compared the two side by side and they were the same length. I have had no problems what so ever so far.

RT930turbo

we just completed the same swap on my friends 84 944. We took the manual rack out of an 83 944 parts car, and when we bolted it into the 84 we had the exact same problem, column was too short. luckily we had the column from the 83, which fit the car correctly, so id assume the manual rack cars had longer/differently designed columns. Hope this helps a little bit, I know how frustrating it was! Good luck

FSTPRSH

My '83 944 came with manual steering...much preffered over power. I think pretty much the whole setup is different...maybe even the linkage from the column to the rack. I'm not for sure though. I believe Perf. Prod. has a set of tie rods/ball joints for the manuals on the 83.

emilysgranny

steve; you need the manual intermediate shaft to do the job.

ERAU-944

you guys are right, the column shaft is different, longer/shorter depending on how you look at it. doing the switch you need the column as well. try to hit up the guy that sold you the rack for the connection for like an extra $15 shipped or something.

-Michael-

Granite 944

You have just discovered that the drive shaft (from steering column to top of rack with the u-joints on it) are different lengths from the manual rack versus the power rack. You really need to have the driveshaft that goes with the manual steering rack, its longer. Maybe the ebay seller still has that driveshaft available? I would'nt go the "welding route". You might also want to hang on to that power rack for a while, until you have a chance to decide if you really want this manual steering permanently.
Good luck!

Manning

Anybody have the PET handy? The install into my car went without a hitch. In fact if I had a longer intermdiate shaft in there the lower u-joint (connects to the rack) would be at a funky angle and maybe bind up. Any chance the manual racks from 83 and 84 are slightly different? I think mine came out of an 84. I'm getting corn-fused.

Michael, when you say column, you mean the bit with the U-joints right (intermediate shaft)? Your not saying he should replace the column from the firewall back are you?

EDIT How about a picture of a proper intermediate shaft installed so I can get an idea of what the u-joint angle at the rack should look like (Please). Sorry about the post hijack.

Dan Gallagher

i have been thinking about asking for a complete parts list so i could look into switching my 951 to manual steering so as long as this thread is already here...... what do i need?

Manning

Well, you'll need the rack, tie rods and tie rod ends and it looks like you'll need the intermediate shaft too. The boot on the left on a manual rack is the same as the power rack boots, but the right boot is different. There are also stops that go on the inner end of the tie rods that you'll want to make sure you use. They protect the rack when you turn to full lock.

If you feel like dropping $400.00 for a manual rack, there is a NOS rack on eBay right now. Never been installed.

Manning

And drive a car that has been converted first. It isn't for everyone and you want to make sure you're going to like it first before you spend an afternoon doing the swap.

RSflared72e

The rack on eBay looks suspiciously like a 924 rack, which is different - I may be wrong, but before bidding I would confirm with the seller.

Travis - sflraver

It should only be the U joint that is different. If you had the U joint off of the manual rack it should bolt right on.

Chipster

An option to consider is to keep the power rack in, remove the belt, and drain the fluid - viola'- manual steering. Some people prefer this to the original manual rack.

Chip