Hey guys. I almost got the car fixed.

I was just thinking, my power steering rack is really broken. Is it possible to have the rack off and still be able to steer the car?

If it is, is there any downside to it?

Thanks in advance!

 

Sure! Have to have two people running along side the car kicking the front wheels to keep the car going straight.

Maybe you mean the power steering pump?

 

Socal...

 

Ropes and pulley's

 

Man... these questions are getting more and more ridiculous. If this guy almost has his car fixed, what could have possibly been wrong with it, that this level of competence could repair? Gas cap not fully seated? Je-e-e-z-z-z-. Man, buy a book!

 

Now that the flaming is over.

You can disconnect the PS belt and run manually without too much problem. The only time you will really notice the lack of Power Steering is parallel parking.

Rock, glad to see you are almost done!

<RANT MODE ON>

It's nice that this site offers help and not BS for improper terminology.
Rock is a good kid, and he's learning.

be patient, OFFER ADVICE. there are a lot of younger 'listers who simply dont know proper terminology. In many cases they will only learn with OUR help. Some are HS students that really DONT have 16 bucks laying around for a Haynes.


Predator- Grab a pencil and draw a clue. It seems you got all PO'd when you didnt receive an answer to your question a while back, instead received a flippant remark from me. At least SoCal had levity and a genuine concern to further clarify the issue in his post.

SoCal, you are a great resource, and IMHO usually correct.


<rant mode off>

 

 

Good deal Chris.

 

Hi Rock, I brought up this issue yesterday and actually got some constructive comments. (ignore Predator )

I think it'd be alright to run without power steering temporarily, but you might risk further damage to the rack. Definitely disconnect the power steering pump. Long-term I'd worry about something breaking or seizing up and then you'd have a safety issue so I'd put it on your project list and get it fixed eventually. Good luck.

 

Excellent point Elf.
I'll be redoing my rack this year anyhow. I disconnected the PS pump after it seized and have running "sans" ever since. Probably 60 K miles and it's due for a rebuild this year.

It'a a decent short term workaround.

 

Lol, yeah i meant by disconnecting the belt, because sometimes it sounds like it was making a squeaky noise. I already have a new power steering pump, im just saving up for a rack.

Socal- You're a funny man

Chris- Thanks for sticking up for me, the problem with the car was the speed sensor. (its broken in half stuck in the hole)

Predator- I have the book smart ***. Got it at Autozone for 14 dollars

 

Rock,
That first post was awesome!!! I know it was not meant to be as it was written but would you believe I have had that same question posed but the person was dead serious.
The PS rack does not ride on bushings of any kind, only on the lips of 2 wiper seals. The closest thing you have to a bushing is a tenssioner block that holds pressure on the pinion rod against the gear assembly. So, by running dry for a little while is not going to hurt it. There should be enough ATF left in the rack to keep those wiper seals lubricated and from drying out. Now running for over a year, that little bit of ATF might seep totally out of the rack letting those wiper seals dry out. Wiper seals dry, cracked and non-existent... you rack would be riding on just a couple of plastic seal backings that will wear and go away as well. With those gone you are riding metal to metal and that is going to deem your rack as non-rebuildable in no time.
So as far as running dry for a month or so, go ahead. Any longer and you may risk damaging the rack for good. Another thing to take into consideration is after running dry for any period of time, you cannot expect to put fluid back in and for the wiper seals to still have the same damage (amount of leaking) as before you ran dry. They deuterate amazingly fast with no fluid behind them.
If you have any other questions that the basics above do not cover you can just drop me an email or post here. Travis@rennbay.com

 

What are you doing with your old PS pump? I need just the cast aluminum front case for a rebuild I'm working on.


So, Rock. You'll be at Kilkare on Sunday in the 944, right?

https://rennlist.com/forums/showthre...hreadid=129964

 

It looks that way! All i have to do is get that sensor out, ive been prying at it for a while. Then my new intake manifold gaskets have to arrive from pelican (they should arrive Friday or Saturday).

You can have the old power steering pump, it still works! I put fluid in there before and the car had power steering, but then it all leaked out.

BTW: Where is Kilkare?

 

Xenia.
http://www.cincy-racing.com/kilkare.html