Was Aveo the last car in US/Canada with manual steering?

[MetroMPG]

I can't think of any new, high volume cars sold in Canada/US that don't have power steering as standard equipment. With the exception of the Smart fortwo. (Doesn't count :P - niche product, definitely not high volume.)

But I test drove this 2004 Aveo sedan last summer - and it had manual steering:



The car is STILL on the dealer's lot. Probably because they're asking too much for it ($5900 - even though it only has 59,000 km / 40k mi. on it).

But the sales guy told me the main reason it's not selling is because it has manual steering. He said the steering effort at low speed scares people off. (I actually looked under the hood to make sure they weren't just trying to sell a car with busted power assist - they weren't..)

Of course, I could have told him if they just pumped up the pressure in the tires (they all looked / felt soft) it would have made a huge difference in reducing steering effort, but I didn't want to tell him how to do his job.

About half the cars I've owned have had power steering, but I'll always prefer manual for the weight savings & avoiding parasitic drag on the engine & general simplicity.

[petrified.rabbit]

i'm actually considering converting my car to manual steering.. less hp loss, not much more effort, cleaner engine bay since the pump is right on top, and it might let me eliminate the second serp belt, unless i have to use it for ac.. when i go put the belt on come summer..

i would just convert the current rack though, not buy one.

[MetroMPG]

I'm sure you know this, but posting for others who might not:

I assume the power rack has a different ratio than a manual one.

That means steering effort will be higher with a power assist mod where the pump is removed/disabled, compared to the stock manual rack.

My bro-in-law tried it on his 1st gen. Integra (by simply removing the pump belt) and he wasn't happy with the amount of effort. (It was pretty stiff). Ended up putting the belt back on.

[petrified.rabbit]

if you don't tear the rack open and take out the seals, lines, etc, then grease it. You also need to cap the line holes (i weld them shut flush) or it will still leak, if you don't do the rack conversion, IT will be trying to compress liquid, which you cant do..

just taking the belt off is not a manual rack. the ratios of oem manual to an oem power rack for the same model are usually different, yes. but its not generally more effort so to speak (you are only supposed to turn the wheel while "coasting" not at a dead stop). its just the steering wheel turns more, for less travel in a manual rack, but you can get different ratios of manual racks as well. if even seen 1:1.. imagine turning the wheel one 1/4 turn and making a 90* bend.

[MetroMPG]

I've also read that "looping" the fluid hoses on the rack (bypassing the pump) is a quick 'n' easy way to avoid the problem of trying to compress fluid, and maintains lubrication.

(Have no idea if it's true - never tried that one.)

[daug1502]

I drove a crx a few times with a manual rack. It's not bad. Also no fighting the power steering would certainly help if the car should die on you at random. Will be something I will have to look into if I ever win the lottery

[trempus]

i have a 2004 sedan and it has power steering

[thehunterooo]

i wish my power steering was gone

[petrified.rabbit]

I've also read that "looping" the fluid hoses on the rack (bypassing the pump) is a quick 'n' easy way to avoid the problem of trying to compress fluid, and maintains lubrication.

(Have no idea if it's true - never tried that one.)

that does work, but is still prone to leaking over time.. grease does not leak.

[MatLax]

but you can get different ratios of manual racks as well. if even seen 1:1.. imagine turning the wheel one 1/4 turn and making a 90* bend.

You saw that for the Aveo? I know they make them for Civics and other ricers cars...