Safe without power steering?

[spikesnstuff0905]

The cap for your reservior says DEXTRON 3 only. You don't need a service manual. Only reliable options are to loop the rack lines (Level one difficulty) Find and fix the leak (Level two dfficulty), or use a manual Mustang rack. (Requires welding/cutting and some fab work but is easily tackled with the right tools and some advanced car knowledge)

 

[mkIIIman089]

Not Dextron... Dexron.

But, it does say it on the cap and on the reservoir IIRC, plus the owners manual.

 

[7M-KDL]

yeh, ps reservoir says it(the place where you put the fluid in).....but there are a surprising number of people who dont know that. most people think power steering system,power steering fluid and dont bother to read, relatively easy mistake to make, i almost did.i bought fluid before i looked then when i opened the hood i realized i had the wrong stuff.

 

[AdrenalineOD]

Got a braided steel line from Driftmotion in, car's steering better than ever. Thanks for all the input!

 

[boostcraver]

Got a braided steel line from Driftmotion in, car's steering better than ever. Thanks for all the input!

And thank YOU for letting everyone know how it turned out for you. Too many people don't follow up once they get the answer they are looking for and resolve their problem...

 

[destrux]

I know the OP's problem is resolved... but...

The reason for looping the inlet to the outlet of the rack is that it's better than leaving them wide open or capping them off (which will make it harder to turn). Usually people who remove the PS pump to save weight do this so that the rack won't fail from dirt and so that if you ever want to go back your rack won't be damaged from running dry. If you're hoses are leaking then looping the rack is better than oozing fluid all the time out of the leaking hoses, cause they usually will keep leaking some even with the belt off.

Still... you can get used stock-style parts for nearly free for almost anything under the hood of these cars (I have a huge pile of stuff that I can't get $10 for).... so rigging stuff up is kind of ridiculous.

 

[moonburn]

No PS here either. Rack is leaking like crazy so I picked up a seal kit, just looking for time to repair it. I haven't had any issues so far but PS is nice to have on a DD.

 

[Kai]

Mk3 + no power steering = STUPID. These are heavy cars - they were DESIGNED with power steering in mind, every single one of them had it fitted, even the 1G-GE models, which were the lightest of all. If you want to risk your life by running a hack job on the steering system, go ahead, but don't say we didn't warn you when you stack into a tree when you couldn't turn the wheel hard/fast enough in a corner.

 

[supra90turbo]

I ran without power steering on my black supra, and while I wouldn't call it stupid, it's not the best thing for a real heavy car like these.

Although you WILL gain at least 1" in your forearms, no lie. After a year, I could parallel park with one hand. haha

It did take it's toll, if you lose traction AT ALL, once you regain and face the way the car wants to go, it's gonna go that way and it'll be as if the rack is full of cement. Be forewarned.