Hey guys! I'm looking to remove all the original power steering stuff on my '71 Mav to make my car have manual steering. I would like to buy an adapter to replace the power assist, rather than just lock it up. I'd also like to keep the same gear box, linkages, pitman arm, etc. I've seen this discussed a lot in some older threads and thought I'd bring it back up. This is an example of what I'm looking for: http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCatalog/Steering/manual_steering_adaptor.htm What about this? How does this one work? http://www.stangerssite.com/manualadapter6566.html Does anyone know of something cheaper than this? Locking the power assist IS an option if I cant find anything else. I'm on a super-tight budget and I've read that these can be found as cheap as $70, but I didn't find anything after a quick search (I haven't made it over to e-bay yet). Have any of you found one of these cheap? I just got the car aligned and replaced the tie-rods, so I'd really like to keep as much as I can with what's already there. If you know of any more simple/cheap solutions, please let me know. I really appreciate it! Jory
Buy a used manual steer centerlink and pitman arm and do the job right. You will need another alignment if you do anything to the steering/suspension
I have to agree with Jeff on thios one as well. Those adaptors look hokey to me. Just get the right parts and be safe. Some things should not be done "on a budget".
Why do I see so many converting back to manual steering? I thought I was going to put power steering on my 70...bad idea?
Most people think the power steering feels sloppy, but then again so the manual steering on these cars, they don't compare to the stuff we have now days, but that's just the way old cars were...back then all cars were like that.
The manual is sloppy due to the play in the gear box, but WAY tighter than the power setup. I hope to someday swap to a mustang II setup, rack and pinion, and possibly reintroduce the power with modern (tight) components. But not til next week, after my lottery numbers FINALLY win! I bought the entire front setup from Craig Selvey several years ago, and didn't even have to have it aligned! But i took the time to measure everything first, and got it pretty darned close upon reassembly.
I used the adapter on mine and it worked real well. It handles a lot better now. You will still have to have it aligned.
All of my cars have Power Steering. I have had manual steering Mavericks. I don't care for them. I have totally rebuilt every component of the steering system on my orange 1972 Grabber. My 1976 Maverick has a 100% all original factory system. Both systems are tight and do not leak. I think it boils down to personal preferences. I prefer power steering.
http://www.mustangdepot.com/OnLineCa...ng_adaptor.htm I had this one on my Mav, it was junk to me. I removed the P.S. and replaced it with a...manual drag link and pitman arm, kept the P.S. box... ......
i have power steering in my car as well..oh trust me i enjoy it and it doesn't leak (it is original) it makes parking a hell of a lot easier (before the spool) i will just be removing mine to make more engine bay space for whenever i decide to go turbo.
If you measure a exact point from outside of one front tire to the other before starting(mark each clearly) and then be sure the replacement steering linkage adjusted to give same measurement, it won't need realigned... I ain't much on manual steering these days, then all I have without P/S is a 428CJ Fairlane that already has the power sector, it will have P/S by next spring...
Basically I'm looking for something to last me for maybe a couple years until I can get a good front-end under her. I plan on keeping all the original PS equipment, but the guys that put in my rebuilt motor did a crap job and now PS can't hold fluid more than a couple days. They spliced all the lines and they leak badly. The pump sure groans a lot too now and not sure if it's any good. In any case I think I'm going to go with an adapter before I completely ruin the PS stuff that may still be ok.
I do like power steering in cars, primarily not for me but for whoever else might drive the car girlfriend/wife ect ect ect. I ran the original power steering setup for awhile and it had its little quirks but once I got use to them they were normal. I like the power steering I have in my car now better then the original power steering. Its allot cleaner setup, doesnt leak, doesnt have the deadspot, isnt over sensitive at higher speeds like the original unit was and I dont need the stupid adaptors for the long tube headers anymore. But I do have one of those adaptors like you originally were inquiring about. Mine is a borgeson unit, basically the same thing as the first one you posted.. http://www.borgeson.com/xcart/catalog/Drag_Link_Adapter_Ford_Mustang_MidSized_Ford-p-1514.html It does ok but really I would go for the manual centerlink and pitman arm, I think its allot better setup then the conversion. After all it is potentially just one more thing to fail in your steering system..
