2000 Honda Civic Si Em1 Power Steering to Manual Conversion
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Joined: Jun 2018
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From: https://t.me/pump_upp
2000 Honda Civic Si Em1 Power Steering to Manual Conversion
This write up will be an overview of a recent service/performance upgrade I did to my 2000 Em1, specifically swapping the oem power steering rack to a manual rack.
The parts I needed were:
Manual steering rack from detroit axle part #8006
Steering Shaft universal joint part #53323-SM4-013
Why did I do this swap?
Because my original power steering rack had been badly leaking for some time now resulting in noises and concrete stains. I also wanted to remove the power steering pump and bulky system to clean the engine bay up even more as well as add a pony or two of hp back to the engine by eliminating the pump and additionally reducing some unneeded weight. I did feel that the power steering made the driving of the em1 squirrely at times and even all over the road. The cars are already so light practically like a gocart that I felt that I would benefit from a manual steering rack all the way around as long as the swap required little modification to work.
Why do this write up?
Well first off I have never done any write up on the honda-tech forum and felt obligated to because of the serious lack of info on this topic. I spent a while researching the internet to get minimal info on anyone who has done this swap with success. All I took were bits and pieces from different places. After contemplating, I ended up ordering everything I thought I needed to do the job and figured I'd send it and try on my own.
This write up will not be a how to step by step as the job is pretty straightforward with the help of a few other youtube videos. I would like to confirm that this rack purchased from detroit axle is a direct bolt up replacement with little modification. The only thing I had to modify was the rubber around the steering rack for the passenger side mount. All I had to do was use a razor blade to cut the rubber from the end of the tie rod boot so it could be slide over a couple of inches to be bolted up to the bracket, that's all.
The new steering shaft universal joint fit perfectly on the oem steering shaft then onto the new smaller manual rack splines.
The removal of the old power steering rack proved to be the most difficult part of this whole job. Hardest part being the removal of the two power steering fluid lines going to the rack. My lines were badly seized in there which led me to have to chisel the lines off. Since I was removing the whole system anyways this was not an issue. Once those were chiseled off the removal was pretty easy.
Once the old one is out the install is the reverse of removal and even easier because there is no need to connect the lines back up ect.
With the new manual rack in, tierod ends back on, as well as wheels. The steering knuckle was then put back in to connect the wheel and new rack. I will say everything was for the most part direct bolt up except for the rubber gasket/boot that goes from the steering rack and sits against the firewall to create a seal. The manual rack is less bulky and doesn't go up high enough for the boot to seal against the firewall. This doesn't affect anything mechanically but could lead to some moisture from outside going into the cabin. I will have to see what happens as I drive the vehicle more.
Finishing up the only other thing I did was of course remove the PS pump and belt along with the lines.
Hope this helps someone out there because I sure as hell could have used it prior to doing the job. Peace
The parts I needed were:
Manual steering rack from detroit axle part #8006
Steering Shaft universal joint part #53323-SM4-013
Why did I do this swap?
Because my original power steering rack had been badly leaking for some time now resulting in noises and concrete stains. I also wanted to remove the power steering pump and bulky system to clean the engine bay up even more as well as add a pony or two of hp back to the engine by eliminating the pump and additionally reducing some unneeded weight. I did feel that the power steering made the driving of the em1 squirrely at times and even all over the road. The cars are already so light practically like a gocart that I felt that I would benefit from a manual steering rack all the way around as long as the swap required little modification to work.
Why do this write up?
Well first off I have never done any write up on the honda-tech forum and felt obligated to because of the serious lack of info on this topic. I spent a while researching the internet to get minimal info on anyone who has done this swap with success. All I took were bits and pieces from different places. After contemplating, I ended up ordering everything I thought I needed to do the job and figured I'd send it and try on my own.
This write up will not be a how to step by step as the job is pretty straightforward with the help of a few other youtube videos. I would like to confirm that this rack purchased from detroit axle is a direct bolt up replacement with little modification. The only thing I had to modify was the rubber around the steering rack for the passenger side mount. All I had to do was use a razor blade to cut the rubber from the end of the tie rod boot so it could be slide over a couple of inches to be bolted up to the bracket, that's all.
The new steering shaft universal joint fit perfectly on the oem steering shaft then onto the new smaller manual rack splines.
The removal of the old power steering rack proved to be the most difficult part of this whole job. Hardest part being the removal of the two power steering fluid lines going to the rack. My lines were badly seized in there which led me to have to chisel the lines off. Since I was removing the whole system anyways this was not an issue. Once those were chiseled off the removal was pretty easy.
Once the old one is out the install is the reverse of removal and even easier because there is no need to connect the lines back up ect.
With the new manual rack in, tierod ends back on, as well as wheels. The steering knuckle was then put back in to connect the wheel and new rack. I will say everything was for the most part direct bolt up except for the rubber gasket/boot that goes from the steering rack and sits against the firewall to create a seal. The manual rack is less bulky and doesn't go up high enough for the boot to seal against the firewall. This doesn't affect anything mechanically but could lead to some moisture from outside going into the cabin. I will have to see what happens as I drive the vehicle more.
Finishing up the only other thing I did was of course remove the PS pump and belt along with the lines.
Hope this helps someone out there because I sure as hell could have used it prior to doing the job. Peace
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: https://t.me/pump_upp
Thread Starter
Honda-Tech Member
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: https://t.me/pump_upp