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Retro Fitting Power Steering to a 90 Metro LSi
Topic Started: Apr 1 2016, 02:06 AM (2,298 Views)
Thart10


#1 Where can I find the parts? U-Pull-it Yards or Special Order Custom Parts.

#2 Mounting the Pump on Current Engine?

#3 How much trouble? Bolt On or Welding involved?

Reason: I'm getting older and my shoulders don't like wrasslin' this thing thru City Traffic, for up to 100 miles a day, running 185 60R 13's on 5.5 inch Rims.

Just brainstorming my next project. :stoner So don't get too technical.

If it's possible, I'll just have to weigh the cost/work vs result.
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Crvett69


BBowens rounded up the parts to put one on a 91 metro. Just hasn't done it yet. It's almost impossible to find a 89-94 with power steering so most of the parts he got were for a 95-01 metro. Might send him PM if you have any questions
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Woodie
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Put more air in your tires.
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z34-5speed
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Formerly "Tech Certified"

Definitely not worth it if you're looking for opinions.

I was also under the impression that the 95+ cars were slightly wider up front, which I'd assume could affect the size of the steering rack, but I'm not certain about any of that.
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don_dowdy
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95+ steering column and rack and pinion are both different than the 89-94. You need parts from an 89-94 four door with power steering. The early column doesn't bolt to the later rack, and the later column doesn't work with the early steering wheel and turn signal / headlight / wiper switches. If it's that hard to turn, check the strut bearings.
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macuserman
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A set of dumbells would be cheaper and easier to install. :hiding
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Old Man


Thart10
Apr 1 2016, 02:06 AM
running 185 60R 13's on 5.5 inch Rims.

Just brainstorming my next project. :stoner So don't get too technical.

If it's possible, I'll just have to weigh the cost/work vs result.
go from 185s to 175s, and air your tires up to 40#s

Easiest, quickest, cheapest and 80%+ effective
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bbowens
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I've purchased all the parts, but haven't done the install, yet. Everything bolts on, but if you use a 95-01 rack, you'll need to swap the tie rod ends. I used car-part.com to gather everything, although I did find a new pump on eBay for $25, in addition. Also, the fluid lines might need some modification for routing.
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Thart10


Woodie
Apr 1 2016, 05:08 AM
Put more air in your tires.
That defeats the purpose of larger tires. Added Traction. I put the 185's on because the 155 12's skidded at the slightest provocation.
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Thart10


macuserman
Apr 1 2016, 11:42 AM
A set of dumbells would be cheaper and easier to install. :hiding
Last time I did that, my Joints started hurting. Went to the Dr. Told him when I do this, bending my elbow as if lifting weights, it hurts. Charged me $65 and said, "Don't do that."

Since then, I've had a blown disc in my neck that sapped the strength from my arms, followed by Cancer in Triceps of one arm that made it hurt, just to move it. These are the muscled used to pull down on the wheel to make a sharp turn.
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Thart10


Thanks for the info and suggestions, guys.
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rtp129495
Advanced Member
[ *  *  *  * ]
I have successfully put power steering into a 1992 geo metro. I got the parts from a 2000 geo metro. It will bolt to the car and the older steering column IF you take the shorter connecting shaft from the 2000 metro. The 1992 u-joint connecting shaft is too long. Also the area where the u-joint shaft meets the power rack has to be modified for the power steering lines as stated above as well as for the longer part of the rack that meets the steering wheel connecting u-joint shaft. Basically the part where the lines aren't on the 1992 rack.

You will also need the air conditioning compressor/power steering bracket from a 2000 geo metro. I had to use the Newer A/C compressor to get the power steering lines and A/C lines to work together. The 1992 compressor lines hit the power steering pump. It has worked for years and because I parallel park EVERYDAY. its a lot easier to do. It was worth it for me. Had enough time with manual steering!

I'm not sure of the differences in 1990. But the parts look the same to me for 1990 and 1992 at the time I was trying to find a power steering geo metro! Others my chime in though if I'm incorrect.
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Thart10


rtp129495
Apr 3 2016, 08:24 PM
. . . I'm not sure of the differences in 1990. But the parts look the same to me for 1990 and 1992 at the time I was trying to find a power steering geo metro! Others my chime in though if I'm incorrect."

Know all about odd ball parts for conversions. I needed a Pitman Arm from a Power steering 55-57 Chevy to fit a 68 396 CI into a 57 Chevy 210 sedan, without major Steering Mods. That wasn't the only Mod I needed, to replace a 235 6 Banger, "3 on the Tree" with a 350 HP Big Block V8, Muncie 4 speed & Hurst Shifter, but it was the easiest.
Edited by Metromightymouse, Apr 4 2016, 07:43 AM.
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bbowens
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I'm still working my way through this, but now I'm stopped because the steering column joint (the link between the column and the pinion with the u-joint) won't fit onto the power rack :(. It's a splined clamp, and the power rack pinion is about 2.5mm larger; spreading open the clamp on the u-joint didn't work.

The 95-01 racks are all one piece, according to the parts diagram, and the correct joint can be found on 92-94's with power steering (good luck finding one of those). I may end up buying the part from Japan for $100; ouch.
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suzukitom
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Tom

I have several steering column joints and offer the following observations.

1997 Pontiac firefly 3 Dr. Hatch with Manual steering has a splined joint on both ends which is the same diameter as a 1993 suzuki swift 1.3 4 door sedan with power steering.. The only difference is the 1997 overall part length is 7 1/16" long.. vs. 1993 part length which is exactly 6" long. Both of these parts are unbolt able from their respective steering columns.

As you observed, a 1992 geo metro with manual steering uses a smaller diameter splined shaft.





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Edited by suzukitom, Oct 23 2016, 11:37 PM.
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