MSP Manual steering rack option or seal removal?

[msp_turbo_klde]

I am trying to find alternatives to the lack of power steering. In a previous post I was directed to purchase a different steering column from a non MSP or non MP3. But after receiving one i don't see any distinguishable difference between them. So now I am pursing a different type. I stumbled upon a mx3 thread that mentioned removing the seals internal to the rack. Unfortunately it was posted over 2 years ago with no followup. So know i am asking for information/alternatives. Thanks.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

I believe there was a non-power rack available in 99, which is probably what you were directed to, but just any "standard" gen3 rack is not going to help... in fact it is the same as the rack on the MSP.

Can you give some more background here on why you're ditching the power steering? I'm not going to go into the "its pointless to remove it" argument, just looking for background to help solve your quandry.

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

Well i don't have the kl pump connected to the msp plumbing.Also the Clearance between the chassis and pulley is almost none. Won't be able to remove the belt without pulling motor. So thinking about pulling everything all together.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

OK, well, I would consider shimming the mounts or pursuing other clearance solutions before I sacrificed power steering.

There are a couple of others who have done KL swaps into the 3rd gens, you could ask them what they did.

 

[Protege03ak46]

If your going to convert the rack to manual, don't just loop the lines. Loop them with a resivor and breather tube. Keeps the rack from building up pressure and makes it easier.

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

reason not to vent to atmosphere?

 

[Wagonbacker9]

reason not to vent to atmosphere?

If you just push all the fluid out of the system, it will go to hell REAL quick (no lubrication). if you just loop it from one fitting on the rack to the other, you'll have added resistance to steering. Basically if you want a manual rack out of a power rack, what you want to do is plumb both lines to a reivoir filled with fluid, but that is vented. This will keep the rack lubricated without adding more than minimal resistance to steering.

But if you've never driven a car with a manual rack.. well, I'll just say good luck parallel parking the first time, especially with that V6 hanging out over your front wheels.

 

[Protege03ak46]

What he said ^

 

[slipkornvayne]

this is what a lot of 240sx guys do. plan on doing mine soon. hope it helps a lil


http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/howtoo-steeringrack.html

 

[Lewis7789]

Are you going to use the Ford Ranger power steering pump delete like the Probe guys do? I was debating on deleting my rack as well but there are too many variables and swapping to a 93 Protege manual rack would mean drilling out the hubs and swapping endlinks.

Did you buy Pope's turbo KL MSP?

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

this is what a lot of 240sx guys do. plan on doing mine soon. hope it helps a lil


http://www.nicoclub.com/archives/howtoo-steeringrack.html

Thanks for the link. I had found a similar thread but the photo links were broken. Thinking about doing this but would like more feed back from someone that's done it..d

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

Are you going to use the Ford Ranger power steering pump delete like the Probe guys do? I was debating on deleting my rack as well but there are too many variables and swapping to a 93 Protege manual rack would mean drilling out the hubs and swapping endlinks.

Did you buy Pope's turbo KL MSP?

Yep it's Tom's msp. Trying to get her back up and running then possibly do a forged buildup, bought all the internals. Also purchased a ms3for it, wiring harness needs replace any how it's all melted from the exhaust. Also looking to upgrade the radiator, gets hot quick when idling.

 

[Lewis7789]

Right on. A few of us have KL swapped Protege here on 247 and a couple guys are going turbo with them soon (myself included).

Did you see MegaSquirt has the ProbeGT plug-n-play ecu available? If you're going to swap the wiring harness anyway since it's melted that's an option to swap in a PGT harness and use that ECU.

Sorry for the slight de-railment from the PS topic.

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

Also everything is relevant

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

To bad the pnp ms only supports the ditsy 2.5. Be nice if they had the 98+ 626 setup. Doesn't matter anyways i have the ms3x and CBR COP's and Acura igniter....;-)

 

[jdwk]

Has anyone done a KL swap and kept the power steering? I'll add that to my list of challenges down the road if I ever get to that point.
My friend's Exige doesn't have power steering and despite all the rave reviews about the "steering feel" and go-kart like handling, it is absolutely retarded. The MSP has every bit the same amount of feedback and responsiveness and I can park my car without breaking a sweat.

 

[Wagonbacker9]

That lotus is also over 800lbs lighter, and the engine is not positioned directly over the steering axle...

 

[Lewis7789]

Pretty much all of us kept power steering, the high pressure lines bolts right up. You just need to swap out the low pressure line with a size that will fit the hard line from the pump to the reservoir.

 

[jdwk]

Good to know. I don't think Pope had his working when he sold it so that had me a little scared. I am not sure if I'll ever get around to the KL swap. It's one of those projects that I would love to do, but is probably more trouble than it is worth.

The MSP will be re-classified as "fun project car" here in another couple months, so we'll see.

 

[msp_turbo_klde]

No it never worked i don't think the low pressure line is the correct size