Power to Manual Steering

[james_joshua]

Just a quick question. I had an idea and wondered how logical it woluld be. How hard would it be to con vert my 93 with power steering to manual steering. I know that I would have to get the box and a new pitman arm but can it be done?

 

[metalmacguyver]

No reason that it couldn't.....



I dont know of anything else that you would need other than the box and pitman arm which would likely come with teh box from the junkyard.

 

[BARanger]

when i which from manual to power i had to change the steering itermediate shaft the one on the manual gear box was smaller that on the power gear box same legth but the splines are different.

 

[MAKG]

Sure it can be done. But it's NOT a good idea.

Parking lots are going to be "fun." And if you ever take it on the trail, you're risking injury.

 

[Evan]

If your truck is stock it will work ok, if you get a manual steering gear. My dad's Dodge 50 with a 2.4L has no power steering and it's not bad. Works even better offroad because there is less resistance with dirt, slippery mud, and gravel than with pavement.

When you go up to larger tires and a locked axle it's just about impossible to turn without PS. I have a few friends who have had their PS go out on the trail and I felt sorry for them.

 

[james_joshua]

It was just an interesting thought that crossed my mind. I probably will stick with the power, even though there is a ton of play between the pump and the steering wheel.

 

[MAKG]

Umm, there is NO connection between the pump and the steering wheel.

 

[james_joshua]

Yea, I am not really sure on the steering system. I have never had to work on that system before. The steering shaft has a lot of play in it, with the wheel locked and weight on the tires I can rotate the shaft more than what I think is normal.

 

[Evan]

I forgot to mention that I would not recommend removing the power steering system. A well-maintained RBV power steering system is very reliable, even when you throw suspension lifts, locked axles, and big tires at it. It can also be fixed cheaply with junkyard parts.

If you have slop, play, etc. in your steering system, chances are the problem is not power steering related.

 

[mjonesjr]

in hook the power steering pump to gear box hydraulic lines and then plug them up or remove the power steering pump belt.

 

[Roadkill]

Yea, I am not really sure on the steering system. I have never had to work on that system before. The steering shaft has a lot of play in it, with the wheel locked and weight on the tires I can rotate the shaft more than what I think is normal.

I know in transports we can have a maximum of 10* of free play in the steering. I would think any more than that in a car or pickup means you have some work joints or gears happening.

 

[MAKG]

in hook the power steering pump to gear box hydraulic lines and then plug them up or remove the power steering pump belt.

Working against a hydraulic plug when attempting to turn the vehicle doesn't sound like a good idea.

Ford gears are known to pump fluid out the return line when turning the steering wheel.

 

[Evan]

in hook the power steering pump to gear box hydraulic lines and then plug them up or remove the power steering pump belt.

You have to remove the belt. The pump would burn up and sieze if you were to disconnect the lines and continue turning it.

 

[Psychopete]

Haha, I've witnessed a seized power steering pump before, NOT COOL.

Not having power steering also sucks.

Lift the front end up and look for slop in the drag link from the pitman arm, inner/outer tie rod ends (physically grab the wheels and move them back and forth as they would if you were turning). If you turn the steering wheel slightly, and only one wheel responds, that's also a dead give away of worn out steering linkage parts.

Pete