Fitting power steering to manual and gearbox - best method to fit, engine out?

[Ben Lessani]

Hi guys,

I've searched for a good little while and I've found that I need these bits to do my manual to power steering conversion:

Rack
Pump
Pump Bracket
Pipes, reservoir and reservoir bracket.
Bottom pulley from the GTi
2 Belts
Universal joint from column to rack.

So I've found a guy that can get all the bits for me apart from the reservoir mount and belts, he's also got a gearbox for me as my reverse gear is buggered. I figure the easiest, and most painless way to fit these bits is to remove the engine completely and fit it all up, then whack it back in. It will also give me a chance to paint the engine bay too.

If anyone could share some info on whether this would be easier for me, and how hard it really is to remove the engine (looks pretty easy in theory).

[bobbymk11]

wouldnt bother with p.a.s ,,,,,had a good few mk2 gti's and the best are non pas...much better drive .....gear box you dont need engine out...can be done

[Village Idiots]

Don't bother with PAS. Do some push ups every morning and get bigger muscles... it's also healthier!

[VeeDubGTI16v]

can you guys read? hes asking how to fit, not your opinion!

if your going to anyway it makes the job a lot easier with engine out, its very tight getting to the rack etc with it in, but it can be fitted with the engine in.

[Ben Lessani]

Thanks for the quick replies. I've driven for the past 12 months with manual steering and city centre parking is a major PITA, it probably didn't help that my reverse gear was shagged. But considering I can get the two bits quite cheap, I'm defo going PAS - I've had more than enough time to form an opinion of it.

My steering rack is knackered so it needs changing anyway - too much play turn to turn, so the racks coming out regardless, I just figure I may aswell go up in the world whilst I'm at it.

I've never removed the engine on my MK2, but I guess its just front grill, bumper, front subframe, battery leads, clutch cable, thottle cable, driveshafts, radiator, exhaust manifold and that should be me?

...now all I need to do is nick an engine crane off someone and job's a goodun.

[...joe]

can you guys read? hes asking how to fit, not your opinion!

sweet!

yeah i'd take the engine out to do it. you'd have to drop the rear subframe ideally to do the steering rack so you might as well make it easy on your self.

taking an engine out is surprisingly easy. unplug wires, un plumb hoses, take front end off (grill, slam panel) then its just splitting the manifold from the exhaust, engine mounts and drive shafts really. lift it up and over the front cross member and thats it in simple terms. i've taken a mk2 engine out in about an hour. the gear box is a piece of piss once out the car and the rack will be a doddle with an empty engine bay.

also i thought you were selling your golf?

[Ben Lessani]

Turns out I'm not man enough to sell it - plus since fixing the sunroof leak, I actually enjoy driving it. I'm going to at least finish it all off before I get rid of it. So a big drive for me tonight down from Glasgow to Birmingham to pick up the bits, then a few days bashing it all together.

When the engine is out I can paint it to match the same colour of the car too - so it should look smart as!

[Ben Lessani]

Right, drove down to Wolverhampton (from Glasgow) to get my PAS bits and a new gearbox, for £90...sounds like an alright price to me. I will get it all fitted up next week when I'm off work, if anyone has any gearbox fitting / engine removal tips - I'm open to all suggestions!

[...joe]

there was quite a big thread on engine removal, started by monzablue16v maybe? gearbox is as simple as a few bolts and lifting off.

[Dolly]

funnily enought im taking my engnie out for my G60 lump, and i got a replacment rack ready to go in. im definatly doing the 2 at the same time.