88 GL Wagon 5 speed D/R 4x4

 

Power steering pump is leaking. Thinking of bypassing the pump pulley. Will I damage the PS rack if the pump isn't in use?

It is harder to steer a PS rack without the PS pump working then a manual rack.

 

It can be done but you have to move fluid around as well as turning the wheels as opposed to the other way around.

 

PS has allowed cars to have smaller steering wheels, but that is less leverage and it gets old quickly.

Let me tell you this Idea:

If your Power Steerin' is still working with ATF Fluid as Factory intended and it is Leaking, I Kindly suggest you to Drain all the ATF fluid from the System and pour there Fresh new Power Steering Fluid from a known good Brand.

That solved the problem for my BumbleBeast long years ago and I Still drive it with Power Steering Fluid without leaks. It Works because the additives and the thickness of those oils are different.

Of course I Used a Power Steering Fluid that contains "Sealers & Conditioners" for High mileage vehicles.

The Result is a 10% harder steering but it works just fine.

I Hope my solution can help you.

Kind Regards.

I removed the PS pump, got a shorter belt, drained the fluid from the rack, and capped the lines. Parallel parking requires two hands on the wheel, but otherwise it's awesome.

thanks everyone for the input. with some local encouragement (thanks will), i'm moving forward incrementally. for starters, we removed the PS pulley and added a shorter belt (the pump and lines are still in/connected to the rack). after some driving, I'll either pull the pump and cap the rack or install a known unit with ATF.

 

Driving is not bad at all. It actually feels more natural than the oversteering provided by the PS system. My only concerns are keeping the vehicle stock (minor concern) and damaging the rack (primary concern).

 

dennyt, how many miles have you gone without fluid? Anybody else have thoughts or experience with such?