What do you guys think? I've mentioned this to a few friends and they think I'm nuts to even consider it.

I have tried it recently without the accessory belt attached and it doesn't seem much worse than my factory non power steering NA was.

I do a fair bit of city driving/parking. It may be one of those things that seems cool at first but eventually ***** you?

 

Data point #1; I've had my 99 depowered (the "simple" way - looped lines) for over a year now and I don't really miss the PS. My DD tires are 215/45-15, and anything above 5mph is no problem - below that it's a 2-handed affair. But how long am I below 5mph?

For me, it's worth it for the better road-feel. YMMV.

 

I de-powered the rach on my 96 back in the day. Combined with a small MOMO Competition wheel, I loved it. Like Wyatt said, at a stop or going very slow, you just need two hands, above that, the weight feels great.

 

I don't like it. A depowered rack jerks and bounces around when you're turning and go over bumps or off-camber.

 

I drove FrankB's MSM with a "proper" depowered rack and honestly I would hate that on a DD. At speed it felt great but when I was trying to make u-turns or parking it was a lot of effort coming from power steering. I can definitely see getting use to it but it just wasn't something I would WANT to get use to when I already have power steering. He did have 225s on 9 inch wheels in a heavy MSM which I am sure is different then driving a light car with 205's but it still wasn't something I was a fan of doing.

 

I'd do it. ****'s easy. HTFU.

My daily driver for the last 4 years is a 2600lb extremely front-heavy FWD turbo car wearing 245/45-16s.

No power steering. Rack not gutted properly, just removed pump and left the lines open. Piece of cake. I'm not a big dude, either. If my 110lb fiancee can drive it, any man should be able to drive it.

I'd like to de-power the MSM. I'm not a fan of the power steering in these cars.


So again, HTFU.

 

All of this.

I have a depowered rack in my current car, had a manual rack in the other. Weight is managable on either, don't be a *****.

 

It's 100% personal preference. My 110lb girlfriend could drive my depowered '99 with nothing more than a, "It seems harder to turn than my car until I get moving." Then I've let a 300lb autocross instructor drive my car and he was fighting back tears and bitched about it for an hour after he drove the car for 40 seconds.

 

Tell your 300lb autocross instructor that he's bitchmade.

 

I feel like I need to drive another depowered car now and re-evaluate.

 

Eat a steak for breakfast and get dressed in your manpants first.

 

Thanks, I think I'll go ahead with it. Another reason to not visit the gym, right?

Ryan, did he use a torque wrench when doing up that big nut in the rack? I've heard if you go over the top with it you end up with a more-effort-than-usual result.

 

I am not sure as to his exact technique but I do know he had some ridiculous caster when he got it aligned. I think it was >5 and I have heard that will add substantial effort too.

 

My '97 daily is proper gutted de-powered. 5deg caster before and now about 3.5 ish. Has a small Sparco wheel as well on sticky 205's. Drives fine short of parking and low speed U turns. The wife doesn't even whine about driving it. Go get a can of man and do it.

 

Low T post.

 

Don't be a *****. Do it. I've put around 20,000 miles on the car in the past year with the lines looped, and I never regret it one bit.

 

My friend has an NB depowered, i drove it, and it didnt feel much different than my no-power steering (from factory) NA. i would do it, but thats without considering any other drivers.

 

Feels like ****, would rather just have the manual rack. Springy on the edges and tries to rip the wheel out of your hand in potholes. This thread is getting into brotruck territory with all the insecurity.

 

Apu on cartalk just did it and LOVES it, hes a 5'4 foot tall slim asian guy, if he can so can you.

HTFU

Dann

 

Get a real alignment mate, not from the local tyre mob.

Dann