Steering, Power or Not?

Discussion in 'General Maverick/Comet' started by Jerilyn, Sep 11, 2003.

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  1. Jerilyn

    Jerilyn Member

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    Just wanted to get some opinions on wether or not people prefer the power steering or manual? I am thinking of removing mine but I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas. If you have can you please tell me how hard it is to remove and what exactly is involved in the removal? Thanks
    Jeri
     
    Jerilyn, Sep 11, 2003
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  2. scott

    scott Member

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    i love my manual steering.... it is factory manual. i guess if you went to manual but kept your power steering box, the effort would be higher. the ratios are different i am told.
     
    scott, Sep 11, 2003
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  3. hotrodbob

    hotrodbob Member

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    Hate the power steering. I will get rid of it
     
    hotrodbob, Sep 11, 2003
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  4. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    PS also stands for "piece of s**t" . I hate it.
     
    Mavaholic, Sep 12, 2003
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  5. Greg

    Greg Member

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    I have a 76 maverick that had PS. I took it off because it was going to cost too much to fix. I took everything off pump, control valve and the power cylinder. I left the Power steering box alone. I then got a Power Steering adapter from AutoKrafters(pn-RP27483 $165.00) and put it on this improved steering alot. The only snag is when you take off the PS pump you run into the problem of getting a belt around the water pump. You will either need to set up a idler pully to run the second belt for the Water pump or get a Water pump pully that can handle two belts on its own and re-aligne the Alternator to run just one belt.
     
    Greg, Sep 12, 2003
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  6. haroldbritton

    haroldbritton Member

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    Greg,

    I also have a 76 to go manual. The part RP27483 from Auto Krafters says only for 70-75 Mavs? What does the adapter do? Are the gears in the auto steering box the same as manual?
     
    haroldbritton, Sep 12, 2003
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  7. Mavaholic

    Mavaholic Growing older but not up!

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    You can get that same adapted from any Mustang supply house. I see them advertised for $120. Yet another reason to dislike AK.
     
    Mavaholic, Sep 12, 2003
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  8. hotrodbob

    hotrodbob Member

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    The Power box is a quicker ratio. More effort will be required to turn the wheel without the pump over the none power box. If memory is with me, the power box is 16 to 1 and manual is 21 to 1.
     
    hotrodbob, Sep 12, 2003
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  9. haroldbritton

    haroldbritton Member

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    By going to manual steering, would it be smart to replace the power box 16 to 1 and go to the better ratio of 21 to 1 for ease of steering? How hard is this to do and what are the steps?
     
    haroldbritton, Sep 12, 2003
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  10. hotrodbob

    hotrodbob Member

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    Personaly, I'd keep the 16-1 box. Quicker steering. The 21-1 box is lighter steering, but once you're used to it it's no big deal. The mav is the only car I have that has power. my '63 Ranchero is non-power with 60 series tires and it's easy to drive and I'm an old fart.
     
    hotrodbob, Sep 12, 2003
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  11. Greg

    Greg Member

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    The Adapter takes place of the Control Valve. That is the big thing hanging down from the bottom of the car that has the two big power steering hoses and the two small hoses that go to the power cylinder (this looks like a shock absorber) . The control valve connects to the Pitman arm. If you just remove the control valve your steering will just be hanging from the car the adapter allows you to put every thing back together without finding a pitman arm from a non-power steering car. I'll try to get a picture of my set up tomorrow. As far as getting it from Autokrafters or not I'd get it from who ever is cheaper. The one I got from AK they got from someother vender out of CA.
    My car is a 76 I didn't notice the 70-75 in the catalog it didn't make a difference on my car it went in rather easly. I did have someone help that had messed with the front bushings before.
     
    Last edited: Sep 12, 2003
    Greg, Sep 12, 2003
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  12. mark_b

    mark_b Member

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    14 years ago I totalled my 76 Maverick, wrapping it around a phone poll.
    I blame the problem in driving too fast and a poorly engineered powersteering system. The "rack" hangs slightly below the "a" frame. I bottomed the car out on a dip in the road and tore the damn thing right off leaving me with NO steering. As I drifted off the road I realized trying t steer it was useless! By this time slamming on the breaks was a real bad idea because my 2 right tires were now about a foot in the grass. Total loss of control was a major concern.
    In hindsight, It would have been better if I just stood on the break like a frightened old lady. This might have saved my car!

    Drive slow and use manual steering!

    I would be happy to post photos of my 1973 mav. that has a p/s system on it. It also hangs too low!

    Mark
     
    mark_b, Sep 13, 2003
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  13. Max Power

    Max Power Vintage Ford Mafia

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    Or get stiffer springs so that you don't tear your PS off!!!:D
     
    Max Power, Sep 13, 2003
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  14. hotrodbob

    hotrodbob Member

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    What rack? Did you add a rack? mavs have a regular steering box. Do ya mean the centerlink? Sorry, i'm just a little cornfused
     
    hotrodbob, Sep 14, 2003
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  15. mark_b

    mark_b Member

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    o hell I don't know, That part htat has all the hoses comming out of it. the one that the P/S piston that accually moves the steering linkage. It was all stock!


    Ill post a shot of it!
     
    mark_b, Sep 14, 2003
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