no power steering - better for drifting?

[nismoka24e91]

just recently i removed the power steering belt because my idler bearing sized. at first it was very different to drive but after awhile i got used to it. now im half temped to just remove all the power steering lines and pump to free up the engine bay. i also heard that its better to drift without power steering. im going to try and enter the next upcoming drift event up here. i know im going to get but im just doing it for fun.

[seang]

I think Pezi also deleted his PS for autocross, and he said that you need to drain some of the power steering fluid. You need some fluid for lube; but if the pump isn't running and you leave it completely full, the fluid will fight against you, do you see what I'm talking about?

I know that the power assisted box has a quicker ratio than the manual box.

[nismoka24e91]

i got done removing the pump and resivour the power steering lines are still there and there's fluid still in the system. i hooked up a bottle to the return line so any overflow wont spill to the ground. yeah i see what your talking about because when i drove it after taking the pump off it seemed a bit better. i was driving earlier today and i reved up and cut loose a little and i noticed that its harder to over correct.

[seang]

I wonder if you could disassemble the box, remove the power steering parts, and put it back together without them. Then you could use a nice high viscosity gear lube. While you had it apart, you could overhaul any worn parts (like the thrust washer). These boxes are known for developing play over time just like any other truck, so if you could freshen it up, that is a plus.

[seang]

Another thing, there are upgraded centerlinks for 4x4 hardbodys: one is called the "hoo haa," and I think Calmini makes one. The hoohaa has heim joints instead of knuckles, and is pretty rugged and long lasting according to owners. I know it is for 4wd, but the setups are so similar.

Idler arm brace might not be a bad idea.

[PEZi]

as sean said... i removed mine... you'll need to drain a decent bit of that fluid out to fix that 'overcorrecting' issue you have

other than that you're on the right track!

[nismoka24e91]

yeah there is alittle play in my steering. how hard is it to overhaul the steering box? and when i put it back together and fill it with the gear oil do i plug off where the power lines went? when you say i have to drain out a decent bit of fluid do you mean out of the steering box? because i hooked a bottle to the return line and its been filling the bottle untill recently. thanks alot for the help guys. too bad you dont have a ka pezi lol i could help alot with that. ive also been thinking about relocating the battery. i thought if i got a good battery box (they sell them at the local import shop here) i could put it in the bed. then i could run my intake where the battery used to be and the intake tube wouldnt have to run across the motor and exhaust.

[PEZi]

when you say i have to drain out a decent bit of fluid do you mean out of the steering box?

yeah.... out of the box... you just want a tiny bit left in there to lube it... other than that you want it empty so you don't have to fight the fluids


i already did a battery relocation.... not the conventional way.... but a bit more 'special'

[nismoka24e91]

nice. yeah im going to have to get a box and put it in the bed because i have a passenger seat. i like your set up though. also i posted a question in the lowering sticky. you or someone else said something about how if i use blocks to lower the rear end i can axle wrap from drifting. like i said in my other post im a total noob when i comes to suspension. if im turning or drifting and i axle wrap what exactly happens?

[RT22]

Why not go to junk yard and get a nonpower steering box and put on it. Then you have a better ratio but best feel. I hated my non powers steering first hard body when in a parking lot backing up but on the road it had great feedback and feel. The steering was light but in backing and turning it took 2 hands, but other than that it was great. As long as you were rolling one hand was enough for slow street corners. Many early basic d21's had no power steering and the steering box would probably give better feel.

[seang]

RT22, how many turns lock to lock does the manual box have vs the power box?

Axle wrap is the condition where the pinion angle changes due to the leaf springs flexing under torque, the axle will try to spin backwards as the tire are trying to go forward. This effect gets more dramatic and harsh as torque levels increase.

[RT22]

Not sure about the number of turns but in my old hard body once rolling more than 5 mph the steering was light but had great feel. Lock to lock I am not sure, but if you find one in a junkyard it is easy to spin and find out.

[seang]

I was pretty sure that the manual box had more turns lock to lock than the power assisted box, this is why I thought a "manualized" power box would be better for drifting because you can change direction faster.

[nismoka24e91]

yeah im prob going to try what sean said to do by dissembling the box and removing power steering lines. i want a quick ratio and right now its not to bad driving.

[RT22]

Could possibly be that the manual has more turns, but by having that you gain and lose, gain being more steering wheel movement before the actual wheels move as much so more precise steering but the lose is not as quick a response. Guess it all depends on preference and type of driving. manual is not as touchy to inputs but makes for slower progressive feel. if you need fast response power would probably be better unless you can get a manual with quicker ratio. racers have choices in box ratio, not sure you could do that on the truck. maybe other nissans have different ratios and may be an option.

[seang]

[edited again for lack of confusion, left a few things in just for entertainment]

And another thing, just to acknowledge what RT said about how a box with a slower ratio might make vehicle modulation easier because every little driver input would not be multiplied as much, it is the same principle with long travel gas pedals like in a TVR or the new ZR1.

I remember Pejsa was talking the other day about different pitman arm lengths. I have heard of that before, but not really sure on our trucks.

[nismoka24e91]

ok so i have removed the power steering lines. am i supposed to cap off where the lines went to the box or am i supposed to vent them?

[PEZi]

ok so i have removed the power steering lines. am i supposed to cap off where the lines went to the box or am i supposed to vent them?

up to you... i crimped mine shut

[nismoka24e91]

ok. so i can just cap them off and it wont fight back?

[PEZi]

won't fight back so long as you have enough of the fluid out of the box

[nismoka24e91]

ok thanks alot man.