I have a 2003 Mini S with 78K. Is it possible to convert to rack and pinion? I already have to replace the ps pump and fan so I'm already looking at $900-1000. It seems to be a reoccurring problem for this Gen.

Thanks!!

 

Wow, I'd be shocked if it didn't already have rack and pinion. I can't think of any modern car that doesn't use rack and pinion.

 

I think Sooper Cooper means a plain rack and pinion with no power assist.

Dave

 

Have you tried turning the wheel with steering unlocked, but the engine off? Granted, it is more difficult when the car is not moving, but even when underway you'd need forearms like Popeye to be able to do on a regular basis.

 

Get Real.
Rack & Pinion was very big on German Automobiles in the 70's and 80's and probably 90's. It was very steady and dependable. No one needed "Popeye Arms" to use it.

 

Manual steering boxes usually have a lower gear ratio then a power steering box. So it IS much tougher to drive a power steering equipped car without the PS pump functioning, then a comparable car with manual steering.

http://www.ehow.com/about_6502053_ma...-steering.html

 

Nope. Not without the OEM power assist. No-one makes them that I have ever heard of.

Check out the Great Power Steering thread for info that might soften the blow.

Kind regards,

Charlie

 

As pointed out earlier, I think you (and the original poster) have somehow confused rack & pinion, which is a type of steering, with non-power assisted, or manual, steering. Steering basically comes in two flavors, rack & pinion, and recirculating ball. Either of which can be power-assisted or manual.

Rack and pinion was first used in cars in the 1930s, so it's not just something that popped up in German cars in the 1970s. In fact German cars, in particular Mercedes, have a long history of not using rack & pinion, performing the less direct recirculating ball type steering instead. For example, the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class has power-assisted recirculating ball steering, not rack & pinion steering.

Regarding Popeye Arms, sounds like you are skeptical. Try this with your MINI. In an empty parking lot at low speeds, turn off your engine but do not remove the key - and don't let the steering column lock. Now try turning your steering wheel and guiding your car. You'll be driving with rack & pinion steering, but temporarily without power-assist.


.

 

I had a 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit with what I believe was a manual rack & pinion. It was rather difficult to steer when the car was going slow or stopped. However, it was very steady at moderate to high speeds. I loved the way that car handled. Very secure.

 

Yep, I've had manual rack and pinion on my 1975 VW Scirocco since the day I drove it off the showroom floor (still have it!). A bit heavy in parking but otherwise superb feedback and control: the best steering I've had on any car. Maybe not as quick as the Mini's steering but not far behind. Never had a single steering problem in 36 years of ownership either.

Eric

 

Eric,
I totally agree with you. Our Mini's would be perfect with that older Rack & Pinion style. We would eliminate all of these BS problems with the power steering pumps to boot.

 

you never know...

 

When my PS pump went, I tore it all out, disconnected everything, and attempted to drive the car around the development. It has Rack and Pinion, but without the high gearing.

It was drivable while moving at any kind of clip, but once you got below say 10mph it was a bear to steer.

I could not afford (at the time) the repair, so the car sat for about 5 days until I could afford a replacement pump. The work to replace it was OK, it wasn't easy.

For the record, I could not get BMW by me or another local repair shop to even touch it. I HAD to fix myself, or drive 2 hours to a MINI dealership. The 2 dealers (MINI of Allentown, and MINI of the MAINLINE) were really nice, but frankly both too darned far away. Quoted price to buy JUST the part was $850. Repair was supposed to take 2.5 hours, so add another $250 to that.

I bought the part on ebay for $250 shipped with core return deposit of another $50, guaranteed for life. So far, so good. Fix the PS.

 

"Manual steering boxes usually have a lower gear ratio then a power steering box. So it IS much tougher to drive a power steering equipped car without the PS pump functioning, then a comparable car with manual steering."

This is the whole key!
Thanks Alan

 

Even if our MINIs had correctly geared non-power assisted steering, we'd likely still have problems trying to steer the car due to modern wide tires.

Think back about the size and width of the tires on the cars you had without power steering.

 

Yep. I wouldn't want unassisted steering on my JCW with 215 tires. Besides the fact that tires used to be a lot narrower, another reason manufacturers used to get away with non assisted steering was the steering ratios were higher. I wouldn't want to give up my quick steering just to go non-assisted.

 

CV joint,

That wider tire issue is a very valid point. I actually love the way our Mini's Steer, I just hate hearing about the power steering issues.

 

so i guess my question is this, Would anyone be willing to collaborate on developing a unassisted PS rack? since this has been such a huge problem on many minis (mine include)