Is there a rack from some other year that I could put in my 97 accord that's manual instead of power. Looking to eliminate the power steering pump and lines. Not for the power gain, just to eliminate all that extra. No more leaks or replacing the pump if it ever goes out etc. Plus. I like manual racks.

 

as far as i'm aware, all modern accords came with power steering as standard equipment. "de-powering" is probably you're only option. there are two methods for this.

method 1: "looping"- which involves re-plumbing the lines to the rack so that the left and right "power cylinder" lines are joined together and the high pressure and low pressure (IN from the pump and OUT to the reservoir) are joined. this seals the system, keeps everything lubricated with P/S fluid and eliminates the build-up of pressure that you feel when you just remove the pump belt.

method 2: True de-powering- this is in-depth and virtually irreversible. it involves a full teardown of the rack, cutting the piston off, removing any valving in and around the pinion housing, plugging all of the ports (where lines originally attached) and coating all of the internals in applicable grease (multi-use bearing grease should do) before reassembly.

Plugs and/or fittings will need to be figured out. it may be a good idea to do the conversion on a rack from the local self-service junk yard.

 

honda mark is right.

 

1990 DX had a manual rack. There's no reason to try to dig one of those up/track one down. Slower steering response as well. From a DD standpoint, from a track car standpoint, from an autocross standpoint, KEEP power steering. FWD cars are SO much easier to drive when power steering equipped; I miss the non-power rack of my Miata R-package, but the P/S system on the Accord is pretty good. I've only 'beat' it a couple of times autocrossing in fast multiple transitions. Feel/heft really goes up when equipped with good summer tires/R-comps. Removing it and looping/depowering the rack is pretty pointless. It's very little drag on the system when working properly. Keep it.