I just recently ripped out my p/s pump. I wanted to get all the crapp outa there to work and on the side a gain a couple ponies and some mpg. The stock steering rack is not made to work well without the pump, therefore its a real pain without it. Every had the belt brake or be disconnected and wonder why such a small car was so damn hard to turn? thats why. Does anyone know where i can buy a new non-powersteering rack for my 7? Heres a pic of one..

 

When I removed my pump I also removed all of the PS hoses, as well as the cooler. I tapped the holes in the rack with a 3/8" NPT tap and plugged them, leaving the fluid in the rack. The steering effort isn't very high.



http://www.mazmart.com sells used manual racks for $100.

 

I did the same thing at first by plugging the PS rack and decided that I didn't want to have it all and got a manual rack off a junked '86. I did the swap with the motor out so I don't know how much of a pain it would be with it in but I'd say it'd be considerable but not undoable. I think I paid like $35 for the manual at the yard.