What are the consequences of running w/o PS pump?

[Scott 88-1JZ]

Hey guys, I bought a shell a few months ago and trying to prepare it to transfer over my 1jz. The guy I purchased the shell from said that he disconnected the PS pump for a while. When he tried to have it reinstalled a local Toyota dealership told him he needed a new steering rack. What damage can be done by not having the pump hooked up? I don't know if he plugged the lines with fluid in it or if the dealership was trying to get over on him.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

the fluids aren't being recirculated so it sounds right that he needs a new rack.

 

[Rennat]

yeah... you need to leave the resivor on as the rack still pushes and pulls fluid... if he just capped it out, its probably not good....

i ran with no P/S pump for a long time... and i had it hooked up like i said, and then when i put the pump back on, i had ZERO problems... just a nice feather weight wheel again. haha

 

[Jayhall]

I run no PS with the rack capped. No problems here, just a nice, firm steering wheel. I get a GREAT feel for the road underneath me

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

until you spin...

 

[Jayhall]

until you spin...

ya, it takes more of an effort to get it sideways and keep it there than if i had ps, i just like it with out. I might go back to power, next time the motor comes out.

 

[ZoomZoomZoom]

Hey guys, I bought a shell a few months ago and trying to prepare it to transfer over my 1jz. The guy I purchased the shell from said that he disconnected the PS pump for a while. When he tried to have it reinstalled a local Toyota dealership told him he needed a new steering rack. What damage can be done by not having the pump hooked up? I don't know if he plugged the lines with fluid in it or if the dealership was trying to get over on him.

If your PS rack is original, its probably shot anyways. I just went through the fun of replacing the rack and all the high-pressure PS lines as well. Wow, the steering is sooo much nicer! My car's PS was on its way out since the day I bought it. I've run this car without PS for a day and I can say I definitely like having the PS back. With the new PS equipment, I think its just right, not too heavy, not too light, very responsive. BTW, my car is a 90, and I do believe that it has the progressive steering option not found in earlier cars.

I hope it all lasts another 18 years.

Rack new from Champ was $1200. Carquest had a rebuilt one for $500. Driftmotion has a rebuild option where you send them a core. I think it was $250 but you have to pay all the shipping. The rack is pretty heavy. I got a slightly used one local, but that was a lucky break. High-pressure PS lines I got from Champ for like $400, but there are cheaper alternatives. My mechanic charged me 5 or 6 labor hours to do the rack and hoses.

 

[Scott 88-1JZ]

I had a look at the car this morning. It appears that the power steering lines on the passenger side were connected together. I didn't pull them apart to see if there is fluid in them. I am not sure if this would change anything in terms of needing a new rack though. Also would it be fine to leave like this for a while until I get the money to fix it? I have been adding up the parts I need to get in order to replace items while switching the motor over and am hitting 1300, plus whatever labor I incur since I dont have the time to attempt it myself.

 

[Grimsta]

We can get reman racks for $250 with a core exchange, thats a really common price. I myself need to replace mine as the rack itself has alot of play, but as far as your rack failing because you disconnected the pump, thats a load of crap.
Your rack is just toast because its 20 years old and the racks on these cars apparantly go out alot. I've been having alot of these go bad lately, and your rear heim joints. Bet they're done by now as well.

What part of california are you from? If you're close to Norcal you should come by and say hey!

 

[Rennat]

until you spin...

i could still get my car sideways and control it, there was only one time in the rain when i took a corner to fast and i floored it... yeah i ended up sideways in the middle of the street. haha

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

Im not saying you can't control it, but one mistake when it goes too far, you won't be able to pull this pig out of the ditch.

 

[Rennat]

eh, if your gonna crash, and its that bad, your going to crash anyways...

and besides, you shouldnt be doing anything you cant recover from on the streets anyways. thats dumb.

 

[Scott 88-1JZ]

I had a buddy with a M3 that preferred to have no PS when he drifted it. Seemed like the steering wheel got pretty violent. Anyways thanks guys for the notes. Grimsta I may be up north for the thanksgiving weekend if you are around Ill come by and check out your shop. I may leave the rack for now. Seems like the guy rocked it for a while so I will give it a shot. I am debating on sending my tranny to Marlin Crawler to have them rebuild it so that will eat up alot more cash.

 

[Jayhall]

ya, i generally do my best to avoid sliding around corners wih ditches. And ya, the steering wheel can get a little violent. It builds character

 

[TrqMnstr]

Sore shoulders when you parallel park. Ask me how I know:3d_frown:

 

[MA70witBoost]

Sore shoulders when you parallel park. Ask me how I know:3d_frown:

+1 It's a bit of a pain to wrestle with the steering wheel when in a parking lot. I haven't driven mine w/ power steering but I can't wait to be honest. Power Assist FTMFW!