Manual Steering Question..

streetracinchik · 09-07-2002, 04:59 PM

Here's the deal.. My car has a manual rack from AutoZone..(no idea y, I didn't do it) & its really hard to steer compared to the Flaming River racks.. My questions are..

1. What's the difference in the two brands, if any ( i was told none, really)

2. If there's no difference, why is mine harder to steer?

3. Is there anything I can change to make it easier/smoother to steer, aside from buying a new rack.. ($ is low @ the moment)

Thanks, Katie

shovelnose · 09-08-2002, 02:27 PM

Are you sure it's not a PS rack with the lines/pump removed?

I have a manual from an 81. It's 4 full turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock. I think a PS is only 3 turns.

Hope this helps.

gofastmercury · 09-08-2002, 05:40 PM

Not sure about your exact problem, But I know what could cause harder steering. Wheel alignment: alot of caster makes turning hard. Big wide sticky front tires: just more restant. Tire pressure: more pressure makes the tire more round and easier to turn. A heavy front end, I.E. big block, more wieght=more restance. Quicker steering takes away mechanical advantage too.
My Ranchero violates it all, lots a caster, big 235's, 460(new!), little steering wheel, used to power, so a quick ratio box is in there too. And this is my wifes race car! Poor girl, I sure do love her!

shovelnose · 09-08-2002, 06:04 PM

I agree with gofastmercury. When I changed my pivot point on my LCA, it raised my rear end and in turn made then steering harder to turn. Also it took some of the wobble out of my steering wheel. I didn't think it would change the caster so much.

streetracinchik · 09-08-2002, 06:56 PM

ASsfor it being a power rack, when I bought the car he gave me all the receipts & there's one for the manual rack from AZ. I had the car balanced & aligned when I go tit & it has skinnies on the front...

I'm at a loss here.. The whole reason I asked the question was that I was told I might be able to get a piece from Flaming River to fix it....

Any more ideas??

6T9PONY · 09-08-2002, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by streetracinchik
ASsfor it being a power rack...
...when I go tit & it has skinnies...
...get a piece...

Did anyone else notice these!?!?!

88workcar · 09-08-2002, 08:05 PM

6T9 I noticed

Street chic, I have a power rack with the skinnys. I would have said to get a pair, but I looked at your car and you have them already. Now I don't know what you can do. I know I put up with a lot of stuff to go fast. For me it's part of it.

streetracinchik · 09-08-2002, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 6T9PONY
Did anyone else notice these!?!?!

Mind out of gutter, please, LOL

I can't help the fact I can't type..

6T9PONY · 09-09-2002, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by streetracinchik
Mind out of gutter, please, LOL

NEVER!!!

DemonGT · 08-19-2003, 08:15 AM

streetracinchik - work out more

09-07-2002, 04:59 PM	#1
streetracinchik Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belfry, Kentucky Posts: 27	Manual Steering Question.. Here's the deal.. My car has a manual rack from AutoZone..(no idea y, I didn't do it) & its really hard to steer compared to the Flaming River racks.. My questions are.. 1. What's the difference in the two brands, if any ( i was told none, really) 2. If there's no difference, why is mine harder to steer? 3. Is there anything I can change to make it easier/smoother to steer, aside from buying a new rack.. ($ is low @ the moment) Thanks, Katie __________________ My Cars Hardcore 5.0 Moderator, Mississippi Bad Boys 2000 Monte Carlo SS 1990 Mustang GT : Carbuerated, Holley 650, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, GT40P Heads, Worldclass T5, Full Length MAC Headers, Flowmasters, Roller Rockers, 3:73 Gears, 31 Spline Moser axles, Manual rack & No A/C Ricer Hater's Club- member # 18

09-08-2002, 02:27 PM	#2
shovelnose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 234	Are you sure it's not a PS rack with the lines/pump removed? I have a manual from an 81. It's 4 full turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock. I think a PS is only 3 turns. Hope this helps. __________________ 82 Mercury Capri 302, Comp. Cams, Tremec 3550, 3.73's, 12.8@106 N/A Kevin's Capri Kevin's Mustang

09-08-2002, 05:40 PM	#3
gofastmercury Registered Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: calgary alberta canada Posts: 366	Not sure about your exact problem, But I know what could cause harder steering. Wheel alignment: alot of caster makes turning hard. Big wide sticky front tires: just more restant. Tire pressure: more pressure makes the tire more round and easier to turn. A heavy front end, I.E. big block, more wieght=more restance. Quicker steering takes away mechanical advantage too. My Ranchero violates it all, lots a caster, big 235's, 460(new!), little steering wheel, used to power, so a quick ratio box is in there too. And this is my wifes race car! Poor girl, I sure do love her! __________________ 93LXcopcarSOLD14.3@96 @ 4500ft 2.02 60ft on street tires. my 67 ranchero NOT A 390 ANY MORE! 460! 3.70's cast manifolds, comp cams 262H, performer, 750DP 100K out of 79 F250 NEW(oct20/02)14.58@95mph 2.3 60 ft corrects to:13.86@100 66 merc comet351w, isky roller 600 lift 268/260@.050, vic jr. 700DP, 5000stall, 4.56's c-4, 3400lbs with driver 12.3@110 @ 4000ft 1.69 60 ft corrects to:11.69@115

09-08-2002, 06:04 PM	#4
shovelnose Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 234	I agree with gofastmercury. When I changed my pivot point on my LCA, it raised my rear end and in turn made then steering harder to turn. Also it took some of the wobble out of my steering wheel. I didn't think it would change the caster so much. __________________ 82 Mercury Capri 302, Comp. Cams, Tremec 3550, 3.73's, 12.8@106 N/A Kevin's Capri Kevin's Mustang

09-08-2002, 06:56 PM	#5
streetracinchik Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Belfry, Kentucky Posts: 27	ASsfor it being a power rack, when I bought the car he gave me all the receipts & there's one for the manual rack from AZ. I had the car balanced & aligned when I go tit & it has skinnies on the front... I'm at a loss here.. The whole reason I asked the question was that I was told I might be able to get a piece from Flaming River to fix it.... Any more ideas?? __________________ My Cars Hardcore 5.0 Moderator, Mississippi Bad Boys 2000 Monte Carlo SS 1990 Mustang GT : Carbuerated, Holley 650, Edelbrock Performer RPM Intake, GT40P Heads, Worldclass T5, Full Length MAC Headers, Flowmasters, Roller Rockers, 3:73 Gears, 31 Spline Moser axles, Manual rack & No A/C Ricer Hater's Club- member # 18

09-08-2002, 08:05 PM	#7
88workcar Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Pierre Part, La. U.S.A. Posts: 1,850	6T9 I noticed Street chic, I have a power rack with the skinnys. I would have said to get a pair, but I looked at your car and you have them already. Now I don't know what you can do. I know I put up with a lot of stuff to go fast. For me it's part of it. __________________ 88workcar 1988 Mustang LX 342. 417rwhp @ 6800. 28 X 10 ET Drag, 4.30s, 10.69 @ 126.43 1.42 60ft. 11.13 @ 127.7 on BFGs 1.72 60ft Rice Hater # 42 To be old and wise, You must first be young and stupid I'm somewhere in tthe middle.

08-19-2003, 08:15 AM	#10
DemonGT Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 879	streetracinchik - work out more __________________ '91 GT,410W,10.5 to 1 comp,Victor Jr. heads,Victor 5.8 intake,FTI cam,Crane retro fit lifters,Scorpian 1.6 RR's,Melling HV oil pump,MSD distro.,Canton oil pan,FMS flywheel,Romac balancer,FMS timing chain,Accufab 90mm TB,C&L 76mm maf, 42lbers,HD clutch,K&N air filter,Mac long tubes,Pro dumps,powerchamber,FMS 9mm wires,180 thermostat,Ford Racing gauges,5inch Tach,centerline convo pro's,nitto DR's,Pro3i lower control arms,50/50 shocks,3.55 gears,TFS HD diff. cover Next year: Tremec TKO,Spec stage 3 clutch,alum driveshaft,complete fuel system www.angelfire.com/linux/demondan

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