[Mk2] [Generic] Steering racks - PS to non PS conversion

[Border]

My PAS rack isn't a happy bunny at the moment and it feels like i don't have any power steering at all. i don't actually know how light the PAS is in an mr2 when it's working properly, but i prefer not having it if i'm honest!

If i was to swap to a manual rack, would i need a different UJ/steering column or is it pretty much plug and play? and once i've removed the PS pump from the block, do i need a new shorter belt for the alternator or do they run on separate pulleys?

thanks in advance

[Century Motorsport]

It won't work without extensive modification to the chassis

[Rogue]

If i was to swap to a manual rack, would i need a different UJ/steering column or is it pretty much plug and play?

From memory I think we swapped in the rack and column, but I can't remember if that's because both were supplied or if we *had* to do it. I'm pretty sure retrofitting non-power steering is fairly easy, it's going the other way that's difficult.

and once i've removed the PS pump from the block, do i need a new shorter belt for the alternator or do they run on separate pulleys?

Since the power steering is up front and the engine's in the middle that would be a pretty long belt! The MR2 is equipped with electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and so has an electric pump rather than being driven from the accessories belt.

[Border]

It won't work without extensive modification to the chassis

could i asky why? surely the manual rack will take up the same amount of space / use the same mounting points?

Since the power steering is up front and the engine's in the middle that would be a pretty long belt! The MR2 is equipped with electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and so has an electric pump rather than being driven from the accessories belt.

haha i didn't mean belt driven, just thought it could have a crank driven hydraulic pump then hard lines leading through to the rack up front. thats even easier if it's just a case of removing the electric motor then! are the motor and ecu up front near the rack then?

[Rogue]

It won't work without extensive modification to the chassis

could i asky why? surely the manual rack will take up the same amount of space / use the same mounting points?

I think there's a section of chassis that's physically different where the steering column passes through. It is possible to remove and replace though.

Since the power steering is up front and the engine's in the middle that would be a pretty long belt! The MR2 is equipped with electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS) and so has an electric pump rather than being driven from the accessories belt.

haha i didn't mean belt driven, just thought it could have a crank driven hydraulic pump then hard lines leading through to the rack up front. thats even easier if it's just a case of removing the electric motor then! are the motor and ecu up front near the rack then?

Yes, motor and ECU are up front and can be removed.

[bobhatton]

My son changed to a manual rack with not too many problems, will take most of the weekend to do.

Bob

[Century Motorsport]

It won't work without extensive modification to the chassis

could i asky why? surely the manual rack will take up the same amount of space / use the same mounting points?

The part of the chassis where the rack comes up through to connect to the steering column is different.

The non p/s rack needs a deeper dish in the chassis to enable the knuckle to be fitted.

It looks like a bonded in piece so could be changed - but to make it right you'd need a non p/s piece to fit into it's place. Other than that, its a fabrication job.

Everything else is very straight forward.

N.B - the non p/s rack is a different ratio to the p/s rack ... IIRC it's a slower rack.

[SFLee]

can i also ask, is it possible to add st205 power steering pump on the mr2 ?
my guess is pump, bracket and belt different lenght of hose)

(was thinking to use it for differetn purpose)