Running no Power Steering with a standard 325i Rack

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tangoed
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Fri Dec 06, 2013 8:49 pm

Having jumped in the car and driving it up and down the drive for the first time I soon found out how heavy the steering was and the R888's probably don't help either.
Expecting it to have power steering, I had a look to find which looks to be a standard rack, with the metal hoses coming off the rack cut and crimped over.
I presume this is for greater 'feel' from the steering, other than heavy turning is there any other complications I need to look for? IE wear to the rack/components or should all be well?
I forgot to have a look whether the power steering pump is still there or not, but would presume not.
It's on a race car btw....
Cheers, Marcus.
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Billwill
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Sat Dec 07, 2013 9:38 am

The rack probably has leaking seals so the previous owner probably did this "fix".

I have read that if you wish to convert to a "manual" setup you need to loop the one hose from input to output so that the air can get pushed from one side to the other and that the bulk of the fluid should first be emptied out first.

Then in theory the steering is not so tight and the remaining fluid lubricates the system.

I have seen a guy called "garagaristic" or something like that advertise little blocks machined out of plastic or aluminium that does this...connects input to output on the steering rack...he lives on e30tech.com....don't know if his little blocks work on a RHD rack! :?
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oilburner88
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Sat Dec 07, 2013 1:14 pm

You don't want power steering on a track/race car it was probably disabled on purpose.
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