I am sure most of you have seen dropspeeds power-manual steering conversion. I just need to know how to get fluid back into the rack once the conversion is done. I thnk i lost too much fluid and now my steering is "sticky". The wheel won't even return to center after i turn, i have to manually turn it back! 2 things you should know:
1. I did not "t" into the small metal lines, i teed into the rubber hose and ran the breather from there.
2. I did not remove the rack to do this, i just cut the lines from underneath the car and teed them together from there.
I tried pouring fluid into the breather while turning the steering wheel back and forth. No fluid seems to make its way into the rack. Is there some kind of obstruction that needs pressure to open up and allow fluid in . I can hardly drive my car right now, PLEASE HELP ME! thanks


[Modified by powerofdreams8, 10:23 PM 2/5/2003]

 

When does this occur?

 

While sitting still at a stop light


You probably got an air bulb in it or something. Try removing the hose from the T and putting fluid in there.


[Modified by AssPenny, 5:26 PM 2/5/2003]

 

You may have too much fluid? Are you sure the breather is actually vented?

I T'd into the [rubber] loop, but I got as much fluid out as I could by turning the wheel back and forth from under the car. I did this until fluid stopped coming out of either port. I've had no problems thus far. I'm not worried about wear on the rack or anything, I know there is still fluid in there that won't come out unless you pumped it out.

 

The wheel will "somewhat" return to center if i turn hard. However, if the turn is only like a gentle curve, the wheel stays in that position. I don't think there is too much fluid because it wouldn't be sticky like it is. It is an absolute nightmare to make small adjustments in the steering right now, i have to apply way too much force to get the wheel to intially turn, and then it turns too much. When i first (temporarily) did this, i cut the two hoses on the bottom and used the stock resevoir as my breather (jammed up by the oil filter). I did that because i was in a hurry and had to go to work. The steering felt great at this point so i know what it is supposed to feel like. Once i hooked it all up the "right way" i lost alot more fluid. I just think i need more fluid in the rack. SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!


[Modified by powerofdreams8, 10:54 PM 2/5/2003]

 

The force that causes the wheel to return to center when turning is due to the road on the tire. If this doesn't happen then it must be even more difficult to turn the wheel initially. I suggest you completely disconnect the breather and see if that helps. If not, remove as much fluid as you can temporarily (or just leave it out). I haven't tried it completely full of fluid so I don't know how it would act. If this still does not help, perhaps you have the loop wrong altogether, or the rack has become damaged somehow.

 

bump- PLEASE GUYS i need help!

 

Have you already tried what sackdz suggested?

Reinstall the power steering if you can't deal with the increased effort.

 

yes, i tired what he said ( disconnect breather, drain more fluid-basically none came out). .. no luck. Still "sticky". It isn't about increased effort, that i can handle. It feels like there is just no lubrication. Sometimes it feels smooth and somtimes it feels horribly sticky. Does anyone know an alterative method for getting fluid in the rack? What is the huge hex nut on the bottom of the rack? There is a big nut and then a plug with a smaller nut welded on. It looks like you could possibly inject the fluid there but it is a very strage fitting, almost looks electronic.

 

Take the T out of the loop and hold the two ends of the hose straight up. Pour fluid in one end of the hose. Leave the other end open for air to escape. Theoretically, you should be able to fill it until fluid comes out the other end of the hose.

 

 

One of the steering rack's nipple is in and the other is out. Make sure you are trying to feed the correct nipple.

I ran mines without any breather and it is fine. I just looped the hose between the two nipples after I drained about half the rack. FYI-I know a couple people who have jsut drained the rack completely and have no fluid through the rack and it is fine for them. (I believe all they damage is the seals and wont be able to put fluid back into the rack without it leaking).

If all else fails get a Civic manual rack or put back your powersteering.