[russerts]

I have a power rack from a 93 Cavalier - it is a center take-off rack that I'm adapting to my 49 Ford. The question is has anyone 'depowered' one of these to use as a manual unit?
I've seen instructions for doing that with a Miata rack, but I wonder what it would take with this type.
Anybody been down this road?

[Triaged]

Why not just find a manual rack?

[russerts]

It's very difficult to find a manual rack; NAPA doesn't show one in its catalog. What's more, the installation is more difficult because the manual rack is considerably shorter and doesn't reach the right frame rail. Plus, I'm trying to prepare to use the power if it turns out to be necessary.

[BBShark]

Can you join the lines so that you have a closed loop? I've seen people do that with PS gears. I don't know why that wouldn't work but I could be wrong

Is the Miata rack a rear steer CTO rack?

[russerts]

The Miata rack is a traditional rack, not CTO. I surmise from reading that post that the requirement is to get rid of the drag created by the seals, and of course to grease things to replace the power steering fluid lubrication. My problem is that the hydraulic part on the end of the rack seems to unscrew, but I need something bigger than a 18" pipe wrench to apply enough torque to move it. But, that makes me suspicious that there is something else going on - a pin, epoxy, who knows...
Eventually I'll try something and if there is no other way out, I'll dissect the thing to see how it's put together.
...then go buy a rebuilt unit.

[barnym17]

loop the lines, fill with p/s fluid , should be good.