My 98 Civic Hatchback that I just bought does not have power steering but has a cylinder attached to the engine where the power steering belt should connect to. It does not have a reservoir. Does this mean my car used to have power steering and therefor has an automatic rack and all I would have to do is get a reservoir and ps pump? or did all civics come with that cylinder and I might have a manual steering rack??
Thanks

 

If the pump is there, you more then likely have a power rack. I wont say forsure becuase who know whats been done with it.


does the lack of PS bug you? If it doesn't remove what's left and leave it.

 

I forgot to mention it does not have a power steering pump also. Just the cylinder that turns the belt attached to the engine. That is why I am wondering if it ever came with PS.

I've adjusted to no power steering and kind of like it but I've been told a manual rack is a lot easier with the ratios. I also have another civic I am scrapping and I would be able to take the pump, belt and reservoir from it. It would be a lot easier since I do not have to change the rack.

 

Pictures would help a ton. Take shots of the rack, left side of engine bay where the pulleys and belts are and the cylinder you mentioned.

 

Look at your steering rack and see if it has hydraulic lines leading to it. If so, you have a P/S rack with (what sounds like) no pump. IF not, you have a manual rack already.

The cylinder you are describing sounds like the crankshaft pulley. If the car has A/C then the engine gets the 3-Belt Crank Pulley, but it does not mean that the car has P/S

 

they all got the same crank pulley.

op, post a pic.