I have a 1993 DX Hatch.

I've been looking at improving the steering rack.

I just bought the car and it has a "manual rack conversion" though I have not idea how it was done. For one, I am in the middle of death winter in western NY, and the car is under cover and frozen. I my be jumping at this but I really need to take a good look at it once its not below freezing.

For another, the guy I bought the car from was a POS scammer and long story short, I am not sure I can trust anything he said or advertised.

Assuredly it is a manual and feels OK. I have a loose outer tie rod, and will need to change it, and that is what started me on this path.

So I've been looking at importnut.net, and a very good video by Michael Flare on Youtube. Unfortunately the video and discussion is for an EK hatch. Also there seems to be some discrepancies between the two sites.

So as I understand it, the way to get the best steering is to use an Integra Pinion on a power steering rack. So IF my steering rack was a power rack, will the 94-01 pinion fit on it? If not, will the Intergra power steering rack fit on the 93 Hatch, (as importnut says it will).

The depowering of it is pretty well covered on the Michael Flare video, though I wonder if you have to completely fill it with grease?

Thanks if anyone knows from expertise and experience.

 

You have to ensure you have a p/s rack before even buying a integra p/s rack.

 

Exactly because the 96-00 conversion from manual to power doesn't require replacing or modifying the subframe but the 92-95 does.

 

So if I had a PS rack, all I have to do is change the pinion from an Integra. I would not need the entire Integra rack correct?

When would I need to replace the subframe? If my hatch ORIGINALLY came with a non-PS rack?...then I would need an Integra rack and subframe?

 

Ok. I'll update this when winter is over. I hope I have a PS rack because then all I will need is the pinion.

 

You have to get a donor rack anyway unless you're buying the pinion new, it's easier to just swap the whole rack.

If you have a PS rack you don't need to swap the subframe. Also the civic PS and integra subframes are the same.

A true manual rack will steer much easier than a de-powered power rack, but with more turns lock to lock. Also, the integra rack will increase the turning radius.

I remember when I swap a civic ps rack out for an integra it was about 1 full turn in the difference from lock to lock. I'm currently driving a '95 CX with a manual rack and it's probably a full turn more lock to lock than a civic power rack.

 

Thanks for all the responces. I'm still going to have to wait till this artic weather is over. Today is was 8 below.

Anyways, this is the video that inspired my desire to use the integra pinion.

Its for an EK, but you'll get the idea. I think its an awesome video.

 

The problem with using an integra pinion with a different rack is the teeth don't really mesh properly. It will wear after while and could potentially slip resulting in a loss of steering control. I've also considered it a hack at best.

 

Is that opinion or fact. They look identical. I'm pretty sure for our EG's you can use the entire integra PS rack. The other thread "steering news" seems to support the use of the integra pinion, and the video is pretty informative as well.

If you have factual info let us know.

 

Fact. The pitch of the teeth is slightly different.

 

Has anyone ever reported a failure? For our EGs swapping the entire integra rack would solve that.

 

Listen, taking apart a rack and swapping parts is silly.

The DC Integra PS rack, with 3 turns L2L, bolts right up to the EG Subframe, and you can get one for $150 from any number of rack remanufacturers in the US.

The only other part you'll need is a DC Integra u-joint to connect the column to the pinion.

If you have an Integra rack, it's retarded to try to disassemble it and install the guts into an EG rack because the housings are exactly the same. You accomplish nothing but wasting time and energy.

 

There are probably about 10 people that have ever bothered to do it, but no I've never seen a reported failure. I still wouldn't recommend it. It will fail eventually given a long enough timeline and when it does you wont have any control over the steering. That to me is a good enough reason not to do it.