I'd like to completely remove the useless power steering system from my car. Which years used manual racks? Do these ever wear out and need rebuilding/replacement? Just looking for advice, I highly dislike power steering.
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1984 240 GL, "Olga", rescued from an abusive home where she suffered neglect and malnourishment... Slowly nursing her back to health

I have a manual rack I took out of my 1980 242, which I replaced with a PS rack from an 84 244. My daughter does not like manual steering in parking lots & etc.
Anyway I would not mind getting rid of it, E-mail me if your interested.
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Richard Montgomery 83-244GL ; '90-780t; '92-940; '80-242DL

Only a few of the earliest (say, pre-'80) base model 240s had manual racks. They also use different ball joints to give you a different caster angle, to make it a little more self-centering. On top of that, the steering ratio is actually slower, again, to make it easier to steer. I think it becomes 4.1 turns lock-to-lock, vs. 3.2 or something for the power rack.

If you are interested in simply removing your PS pump and looping the fluid lines, check out this thread on Turbobricks. A number of people have performed this alteration an enjoyed the results. Personally, with the 225 tires on my 240, I'm sticking with the power assist...
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Speed Racer, '83 240 R, '74 164 E, '93 940 OL1 (Manchester, CT)

You will have to find one of the relatively rare 79-on cars without power. Maybe one in ten or so. Earlier cars racks used a different spline and you need the later one up to the firewall joint. Jorgen Auto has both types (power amd non) rebuilt, but you need the mounting bits too.

Just out of curiosity, why do you dislike power steering? If I was driving around in a little car, say, a civic, I could see not wanting power steering so much, but in something as big as a 245/244, I wouldn't want to be with out the power steering. When you say your power steering system is useless, do you mean the one you have is broken? The power steering works well in both of my 240's.

I'm not even sure Volvo made any 240's with out power steering. I have both an '80 245, and a '77 244, and they both have power steering.

If nothing else, you could probably just take the belt off the power steering pulley. I don't know if that would do any damage though, so I wouldn't recommend doing that.

I like the heavier steering, and like the resistance when driving at very high speeds. To me, it's just safer, and more spirited. And diving around on a power system thats disconnected is dangerous.
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1984 240 GL, "Olga", rescued from an abusive home where she suffered neglect and malnourishment... Slowly nursing her back to health