I bought a new pinto power steering rack&pinion. My 76 pinto has manual steering. The steering shaft is 2 1/4" long on the power rack and i beleive is longer on the manual rack, but it doesnt come out of the rack at the same spot. Instead it comes out lower. Im wondering IF this rack will work or if ill need to change something or modify it or what. Has anyone ever done this before, or know what i need to do, etc etc?
Wow......first question ive ever posted that no one has any answers to. :O
I was on Autozone.com looking for the same thing and I think they listed 3 different lengths of steering shafts available.
Yep but they told me they could not get the others. They had them listed and even had a price on it but could not get it, said it was unavailable. So i had to get the one they could get.
The rack should interchange without any issue with the input shaft length. In the Ford parts books, only one intermediate shaft with the u-joint and flex-joint is listed and is the same whether it has manual or power steering, so the connection point distance would be the same for all. There were three different power steering racks used (TRW, Ford, and can't remember the third) on the Pinto and the shaft lengths are used to differentiate which one is installed. One other thing to be aware of is that the earlier racks used flare fittings, while the later racks had o-ring seals. Usually the rebuilt racks will accomodate either and will provide inserts if the flare fittings are used.
Good information 79panel, I'm pretty sure my '76 wagon has the 1-1/2" shaft on the power rack. I haven't attempted to order a replacement yet, but the time will come.
Question: Has anyone gone from power steering to manual in their cars? How does the manual compare to the power in feel and low speed manueverability? I like my power steering, but have had poor luck with Ford's pumps.
The manual steering is great but its cheaper to work on the power steerig than the manual, but i think thats because everyone wants to order pinto parts for race cars and stuff and therefore will pay more for it.The steering is great, im only changing it because it would be nice to have, and my tie rod ends on both sides are sloppy and its almost cheaper to buy a new power rack and pinion WITH the tie rod ends than it is to buy just the tie rod ends themselfs for the manual rack. I did have to buy the pump and stuff like that still but thats fine, it will be nice to have power steering when parking. You dont need it if your moving.
There are two primary reasons that I like the power steering rack over the manual.
First: I can drive AND parallel park with one hand, if need be.
Second: The power racks have a quicker ratio so there are less turns lock to lock and it takes less turn of the steering wheel while driving.
I had an '80 wagon with 4cyl and converted it from manual to power and never once regretted it!