would you run manual steering or power

I have both setups and cant decide what to run. What is the main differances in drivability and power. I know most will say run what you prefer, but Im looking for other peoples opinions. Any help is appreciated.

 

I preferr manual steering...Better road feel/response. I am a little guy and have no problems wheeling my mavs around parking lots/or parking for that matter. You do have more steering effort with the manual set up though but I dont find it problematic.

 

I second what Mavman said, plus less clutter in engine compartment. Not to mention those freaken power steering units always seem to leak or get slop in them, not saying that they all do but a majority do even after a rebuild

 

Answer depends completely on what sort of power setup you are talking about. the stock power setup, I would NEVER go back to that. Way too much swimming across lanes (and not just mavericks, I have driven old ford trucks with the same swimming motion...).

So, I personally would go aftermarket power, if you have the funds, then manual otherwise.

Manual is a little more difficult in tight situations, such as backing into a parking space, or parallel parking, but much nicer when you have to drive long distances without swimming, and much less fluid on the garage floor.

 

thankyou for the replys I didnt know about the swimming motion. Havent evn considered that so far it is 3-0

 

ya, mine has factory power steering and i have to put fluid in once every 2 weeks and i cant even find the leak. And ya, my power steering is bad enough that a cop pulled me over for suspected drunk driving cuz the car wonders

 

wanders = swimming.

The old ford power steerings setups were notorious for that. A lot of work to keep it on the road when you have 2" of play each way. And NOT because of worn joints, just because that is how much play is in the power ram and valve.

 

I have had both cars. I prefer the power steering over the manual steering.

 

I prefer as the majority here the manual set-up.
Not hard to operate, less clutter in the engine bay, No power steering fluid spots in my driveway and absolutely no annoying power steering pump noise.

 

I can't comment on the manual setup, cuz I have not driven a manual . However, I do not experience the swimming, unless I encounter high wind conditions frm broadsides, otherwise it goes where I steer it.
I will agree on the less underhood clutter. For many Im sure leaks are a PIA, I don't have any - yet. I had a pump leak when I got the car; I had the pump rebuilt and that ended the leaks. The only issue I do have is whinning noise. I plan on changing out the pump hoses soon and will bleed the sys again. I hope that will eliminate the whine. I had a new 73 LTD and I never experienced any whine. All in all, I think I prefer the power steering - clutter and all. I just got to reduce if not eliminate the whine.

 

i use a power steering box with a manual centerlink. i have skinny tires on the car so it doesnt take any significant effort. if you are running wide tires then go with the power steering sysem or the manual steering system including the manual box.

 

We were just discussing this over dinner. There are things we like about both. Mike says save up for rack and pinion. I like the manual steering better because of the drifting in the steering especially in high winds. Just spent all day yesterday battling that and it sucks! Manual can be a pain but at 45 years old I still don't have problems with it. We have one with manual steering and three with power and in own I would prefer power but on the highway manual is the way to go.

 

I have manual. Because I run 50s on front I wish I had power... or maybe it's because I have gotten older
A box conversion sounds intresting..

 

ok is there anyway to get the play out of the factory ps set up. my comet has a reman cylinder that is a year old and its sloppy as heck.

 

U sure it's in the cylinder? What abt the possibility of being gears in the steering box?