We all know how wonderful our mavericks perform with the stock power steering system. You know, turn the steering wheel and you get this sinking feeling until the car actually changes direction i.e. the complete disconnect between the steering wheel and the road! I'm sure this has been discussed many times as all of the unibody ford cars of that era had similar systems (until the MII). Would it be as simple as installing a lower pressure pump to give the steering more "feel"? If so, where does one get such a pump. Or, could you bleed of pressure back into the pump reservior with an adjustable in line "gate"? Just thinking out loud!
It's the connection at the pitman arm that gives that feel. If you wanted to change the feel significantly you 'd have to go rack and pinion or a PS Steering gear from (probably a chevy) and a manual center link. Rack and pinion is where I'm going. It's my next project.
??? Comick, explain, I'm slow. The pitman is attached to the center link by the power steering unit. If you take the belt off you no longer have the hydraulic pressure to assist with steering. It stands to reason that reduced hydraulic pressure would increase steering effort? Correct? Or, are you saying that even with more steering effort you still will not feel the road? When you convert from power to manual it certainly feels like you have more control.
Some of the old mustang racers put a valve in the pressure line to bleed off pressure back to the retun hoses as you said. Suppose to work pretty good but, I have had no experience doing this. When we had the stock suspension I rebuilt it just about replacing everything and I got it to work pretty good. We also have really wide front tires (245s) so this probably gave us the feel.
Mavaholic is right manual has a great feel. On the power system the pitman arm has about 1/2 inch movement at the center link. If you remove the belt you'll have play in the wheel. Or, if you lower the pressure you'll increase the amount of play (up to the max, i.e no belt). Power systems on our cars that doesn't work properly feels real sloppy. I don't think manual is all that hard for a daily driver (I used to drive a 71 e200 with manual steering, so maybe thats it) but, parking lots and high speed manuevers certainly are better with power. If I can find a rack I like (leaning towards a front wheel drive car maybe, taurus? escort?) I post some pictures.(may be months away though)
Low line pressure will lead to play. Of course a bad Idler arm is the sloppiest feelling. You can't adjust anything but the box as far as feel goes. You probably could take apart the link at the pitman arm and mechanically reduce the amount of free play. That would also have the effect of reducing assist. If you removed all the play you'd have manual steering.
