Hey guys/girls, wanting to change my VN over to manual steering and just need to know what is required. I am lead to believe all I need is the VL manual steering rack and intermediate shaft but just need confirmation the VL intermediate shaft bolts to the rest of the VN steering shaft. Also, does anyone know of any wreckers that may stock the manual steering intermediate shaft from a VL, there is only one on ebay I can see. Thanks.
You will need an idler pulley to replace the power steering pump. Why would you want to go manual steering? VL manual racks are a bit hard to find I was told by my local wreckers when I was building my car.
I won't need any idler pully. Manual rack because it's cheaper, easier and more reliable than replacing all the power steering gear that is leaking and not working. Also I will then only have 1 belt for alternator which is a plus because I turn the thing to 7000rpm and throw belts occasionally.
I love it. Best conversion ever, going to manual steering. I did the same thing on my V8 VQ. Loved every minute. You're never going to get tired of the feeling you get, reefing a big V8 through the hills with a manual rack. So much more feedback, so much more control. The only thing you'll find a shock at first, is that the steering is a little slower, so you'll not turn the wheel far enough at first on suburban roads. I almost drove off a few corners the first day after I did it! The VL intermediate shaft will PROBABLY not bolt up to yours. I know some VN/VPs have different shaft upper couplings, and yours MAY be compatible with VL. Mine wasn't, but it's an easy conversion. Have some pics re the intermediate shaft conversion. Note that I just used a small socket and a vice to push out the uni joints
Great pics, tells a thousand words thanks. Now I can just check what part I have on my column and worst comes to worst just change it if it's wrong onto the VL shaft.
Just looking at those pics again, I wonder if the VL shaft could be used upside down with the double ended clamp from the power steering rack?
All done mate, scored a rack and shaft for $100 locally. I had to split the uni on one end of the shafts to make it match up but otherwise a bolt in fit. Loving how direct the steering is with 100% feedback.
Good buy for $100! Ive got one in each car. Payed $75 for one and $100 for the other. But people are starting to realise the rarity or them and can often see them appear around $300.
hi could you put up a pic of how your intermediate shaft lines up on the vl rack? ive done this conversion a while ago but couldnt get the shaft to line up with the cutout on the steering rack where the bolt goes! now today i installed a brand new steering column in my vp (from holden) and the new column is about 1cm longer than the one i pulled put but still couldnt get the shaft low enough of the rack!!! ive tried everything! any suggestions. today the shaft only went a litle bit past the cutout so the holes on the shaft is halfway one the cutout and splined bit ive got a bolt in there nice and tight but still not confident thats enough....im going crazy.
