Depowering my steering.
 

A quick question, what did you guys with the wire coming out of the top of the pump when you removed it, just snipped it? I have no idea what it is for and thought I would ask.

I'd tape the end and zip tie it to the rest of the harness in case you ever decide to reinstall the PS system.

what is your opinion on being without ps...?
is it easy to turn the steering wheel?
i'm contemplating cleaning up some room down there, but i'm afraid i won't like it, it's a daily driver.

I have driven my 240SX without power steering, but the lines were still connected and made it difficult at low speed due to all the fluid I was pushing around. It felt more responsive at higher speeds though. Thanks for the info boileralum, I suppose I will just ziptie it over by the washer reservoir.

It sucks at first in parking lots, you get used to it. Better in every other way though

I looped the rack on my civic, and it sucked at speeds under 5mph. Other than that it was great. However, on the miata I plan on stripping down the rack so there isn't that low speed resistance. This will be a spring time project though, I don't like working on cars in the cold if it isn't necessary.

Anyone that cant daily drive a fucking miata without P/S needs to grow a dick....sorry, but its ridiculous to even contemplate the idea any longer. :vash:

Vash-

my tiny wife will drive the car once in a while, i have Popeye forearms and could handle a Mack truck without PS

Easy peasy, unless you have little stick arms like a kindergartener.

Tell your wife to grow a pair. The only hard thing is turning the wheel at a dead stop. As soon as you are rolling even slightly, you can palm it.

what did you guys use for these empty orifices?

Attachment 208376

I recall someone at m.net selling special plugs to screw in. Also in this picture they had the motor out so it was easy to loop them that way, any disadvantages to just looping the lines when they both come around to the front of the rack?

i believe those two circles in the pics have to be looped together with a small hose.

am i right?

I did this, the FM web site has a complete write up about it.
I didn't bother just looping the lines, I took out the rack and removed that MAJOR piece of metal CRAP which has made a good difference than just looping the line. A friend I have here just looped the lines and his steering is a little heavier than mine. Go the FM route and get all that crap out of there man ! Car feels WAY BETTER after a week and you can FEEL the Limit of the wheels !!!

No, the lines that are looped in the picture need to be looped. Those two just need to be capped. The free way is to cut the line near the fitting, then smash it closed.

Full FM depower is the better way though.

I was about to say the same, but you took care of the dirty work. My last 3 cars have been without power steering. In a car as light as a Miata and my old 1st gen RX7, there is no need for p/s unless you are a 80 year old woman. I also feel safer in a non p/s car because of how the car corrects itself in a slide. Power steering numbs the feedback from the steering and suspension to me.

MiataRoadster sells a de-power kit with all of the plugs you need, without having to do the hose looping and shit.

I TOTALLY agree that the feedback is numbed !

anyone got a link to the FM depower kit?
i just searched on their website and didn't spot it

I haven't seen the one from FM before, but I've seen the one Bill @ miataroadster sells.

MiataRoadster: MiataRoadster products

Edit: I guess the FM one is referring to the tutorial they have in the tech section. http://www.flyinmiata.com/tech/depower.php?x=1

I did it the easy way and just bought a base miata. :)

Vash-

see, i thought that plugging the rack with this type of kit doesn't make it feel as good as looping the hoses between outlets.

who has tried both looping, and then plugging them off to see what the difference is, if any.

I think looping all of the lines except the in/out lines is the best way without going the full depowering method.