Power steering rack leak/ drive with out power steering

[ryanrmurray02]

Noticed puddle of power steering fluid under car today. No visible fluid in the reservoir. I think its leaking from the metal near the bracket not the boot. Currently there is no room in my budget for a replacement. Can I just remove the belt to the power steering pump and drive without power steering? Any other suggestions appreciated.

 

[spartacus]

Noticed puddle of power steering fluid under car today. No visible fluid in the reservoir. I think its leaking from the metal near the bracket not the boot. Currently there is no room in my budget for a replacement. Can I just remove the belt to the power steering pump and drive without power steering? Any other suggestions appreciated.

Take the belt off and eat your Wheaties, slow tight turns will be tougher other then that it should be okay AFAIK.

 

[3bears]

Take the belt off and eat your Wheaties, slow tight turns will be tougher other then that it should be okay AFAIK.

agree with this.

we call it power steering, but its really power ASSIST steering. It will function without, you just have to work harder. get rid of the belt so you dont eat up your pump as it runs dry.

 

[NJ-4Runner]

Take the belt off and eat your Wheaties, slow tight turns will be tougher other then that it should be okay AFAIK.

agree with this.

we call it power steering, but its really power ASSIST steering. It will function without, you just have to work harder. get rid of the belt so you dont eat up your pump as it runs dry.

If you do this for an extended period I feel it is possible that you can over-stress the small U-joint connecting the steering wheel to the rack. I am talking about the joint that is up high where it goes through the firewall. This joint is not meant to take the stress from transferring the arm power required to turn the actual tires directly from the wheel. I feel that after a while the joint will start to get play in it. I think this happened to my truck before I bought it. I got my truck for cheap because of a busted rack and I definitely have play in that joint because the previous owner drove it without power steering for a while.

 

[3bears]

If you do this for an extended period I feel it is possible that you can over-stress the small U-joint connecting the steering wheel to the rack. I am talking about the joint that is up high where it goes through the firewall. This joint is not meant to take the stress from transferring the arm power required to turn the actual tires directly from the wheel. I feel that after a while the joint will start to get play in it. I think this happened to my truck before I bought it. I got my truck for cheap because of a busted rack and I definitely have play in that joint because the previous owner drove it without power steering for a while.

good point, I guess over time that can happen.

 

[spartacus]

If you do this for an extended period I feel it is possible that you can over-stress the small U-joint connecting the steering wheel to the rack. I am talking about the joint that is up high where it goes through the firewall. This joint is not meant to take the stress from transferring the arm power required to turn the actual tires directly from the wheel. I feel that after a while the joint will start to get play in it. I think this happened to my truck before I bought it. I got my truck for cheap because of a busted rack and I definitely have play in that joint because the previous owner drove it without power steering for a while.

You are probably right but if you keep the wheels rolling, there is a lot less resistance in the steering. pulling into parking spaces will definately put a lot of force on that joint.

 

[nobb]

If you do this for an extended period I feel it is possible that you can over-stress the small U-joint connecting the steering wheel to the rack.

This is what I would be concerned about as well. These joints really aren't designed to take on the full steering load without power steering. Our steering shafts are also known to develop wear over time and requiring the tack weld/roller pin mod to tighten up again.