steering question

[Jayberg00]

i disconnected my power steering system and been driving like that for about 6 months, and i think all the fluid is out because the pump and evey thing is gone. but a friend of mines said that i need fluid in the steering system or i can mess my rack and pinion up is that true? i realy dont feel like puting it back on or looking for the parts.

[MissJDM]

Originally posted by Jayberg00
i disconnected my power steering system and been driving like that for about 6 months, and i think all the fluid is out because the pump and evey thing is gone. but a friend of mines said that i need fluid in the steering system or i can mess my rack and pinion up is that true? i realy dont feel like puting it back on or looking for the parts.

I've diconnected the power steering system for some OBD1 and OBD2 cars and they have yet to be a problem for the rack and pinion.

[GT40FIED]

Man...without any pressure to the rack, you'll eventually ruin the seals and yes, fluid will come out. I'll never understand why people d/c their PS systems. Power steering is your friend. it makes it not so sucky to turn the wheel.

[ebpda9]

Originally posted by MissJDM
I've diconnected the power steering system for some OBD1 and OBD2 cars and they have yet to be a problem for the rack and pinion.

ok and what the hell does the power steering have to do with emissions ?

the rack will eventaully fail if not modified properly. i don't know of the specific mods you will do to it. plus the power steering on hondas is not a real power steering system like in the buicks, cadilacs and other cars. it just assists in turning the wheel a little easier. most of the time the ps pulley is just freewheeling there so there are no real gains in taking it off

[pdiggitydogg]

you do need fluid in there.

I bought this kit a while ago to safely remove the pump and still have it easy to turn...but havent put it on yet. I stupidly paid $60 for it and when it came I realized I couldve peiced it together myself for about 1/3 of that.

I gotta go to work now, but when I get home I can do a write up on the parts and make a description of how to properly remove the parts and drive safely/easily w/ a converted p/s rack

[JDMFantasy2k]

please do

i read about a del sol that had done the conversion ( i think he changed some steering rack or some shit) and because the car was so light and the steering was set up to run w/o PS it was easy to maneuver. It also said that the road feel was very solid and responsive.

And just remember guys, not all cars have PS, look at some base model civics....

[pdiggitydogg]

Ok this is really very simple (So I gather)

On your p/s rack there are 2 lines (pressurized and return)
All you need to do is remove the hard lines there, loop the holes w/ some fittings, place a T in the loop and w/ the third line connect a vented canister.

Some just say "loop the lines". Well the problem w/ that is now youre fighing the fluid-filled pressured rack. This will make the steering much more physically demanding than standard manual rack. With a vented canister (any canister w/ a ventable cap - punch a hole in something) will allow air to get in and make it easier to move (if youre worried about debris getting in just add a nylon (pantyhose) screen on the cap vent...but the hole should be only as large as a pushpin tip).

Doing this, you can remove the entire p/s pump, brakets, reservoir (you could use the stock reservoir as your cansiter (just poke a hole in the cap). If I remember right all that stuff weighs 10+ lbs (thats w/ fluid). So that mad jdm weight reduction!

Now, you will need to leave some fluid in the rack (I guess fill it to the bottom of your canister).
After you loop and T the line, turn the steering wheel side to side and fluid will shoot out. "Like a whale blowhole" Ive read.
Whats left is probably enough...if you feel like its not, just add a little. If you fill the canister it will shoot out again. You just want enough fluid to keep the rack and seals lubricated.

This is all information that I have gathered. I have NOT tried this - only plan to. So if you try it dont get upset if I cant fully answer your specific questions. I will take pics of the parts if you guys want.

[JDMFantasy2k]

well pat, looks like you have something to do this weekend.;)

i'd really like to see this done, i've been pondering over it for a while, sounds simple, and from the description, sounds like you could reverse it all quite easily as well.

so i'd say, do that this weekend, copy what you just posted and make it a sticky in the how-to section, and then tell us how it handles/performs.

[pdiggitydogg]

Im thinking it might be a winter project instead
I like to collect those so I dont get bored

[Jayberg00]

i guess ill be trying that this week end, dont wont to mess my steering up.