I once took the belt off my PWpump to replace it, and decided to see if I could steer without the power assist...Even when moving, I could not steer it without very serious force. If I was sitting still and turned the wheel, how hard will it be to turn? I do this often when working under the car, to give me room with whatever I am doing. I would say that with the power belt off, it was impossible to steer when not moving, in fact, the stock steering wheel flexed when I tried.
hmm well i drove mine for a while with just the belt off and i didnt find it nearly that hard. maybe with the 302 it weighs enough more to make it harder. I would think that if you dont like the way it steers with the belt off you wont want to remove the ps system since it only got a little easier when i took it all out.
All of my Mavs are non-power steering. My latest was converted from power. They aren't hard to steer once you get used to it. Just make sure you have a 14" or larger steering wheel. One of my cars had a 13" Grant when I got it and it was very difficult. Got a 14 1/2 now and it's 100% better.
does the larger steering wheel help a lot or jsut a little.. if a lot.. then maybe thats my problem. i got a 13" wheel on mine..
The manual conversion eliminates the hydraulic portion of the system and converts it to the same theory and such, as the older models all had at one time. With the belt off you were still trying to use hydraulic pressures in the cylinder and pump which were not operating valves to allow the fluid to assist the steering ram arm. That is why it is so hard to turn, all that is gone on the conversion and the only real resistance is the mechanical rods trying to force the tires to turn. Smaller and skinny tires on the front will make it almost as easy as power assisted but then the dailey driving will suffer from oversteer and crappy ride. Just a little info on the subject that may be useful in wanting to convert to manual.
Old Guy, That is kinda what I figured was up with the difficult steering on the Power system without the belt. I was thinking that manual would HAVE to be easier to steer than beltless power steering. I will have to wait until after christmas to have permission (from the wife) to spend money on myself. Until then, all cash has somebody else's name on it...nephews, neices, in-laws, etc.
Yes, manual is a lot easier to steer than powerless power steering. Im going to convert my car to manaul steering when I get the parts gathered up... just have to go to a junkyard to find a donar car... maybe i'll find a granada and get the disk brakes off of it also. Sure beats 4 wheel drum... but i will be putting a Dodge master cylinder on it I got a while back to make it 50/50 braking
Ditto....to what they said. Gotta have 14inch or above, difference is like night and day. I have manual in mine and even my petite wife can handle it just fine!
