Power Steering Delete

[5Toes]

So I have searched this issue, and I am confused about the whole "leave the rack open" deal. Does that mean you take the.banjo bolts out of the rack? I would rather remove it all instead of just removing the.belt. I am dropping my motor in tomorrow and am curious how to go about this. Buying the delete plate is out of the question, too spendy

Also, of you leave the rack open.. how is it lubricated?

[The Volta]

Why are you removing it ?

What the block does its allow fluid to circulate though the rack while keeping the banjo bolts.

If you try to just put the bolts in you will squirt fluid all over because they will stick out.
if you just take everything out the rack will be dry and no bueno, also squirting out more fluids
if you take the belt off you will lose power steering and retain fluid in the rack (this is what you would do if you dont want power steering but you are probably removing it because your car pisses fluid all over the place)


TL:DR

If you are trying to remove PS because your car leaks, fix the hoses or buy a PS block. Don't run the rack dry or you will have to eventually replace that and the rack costs more than the previous things listed.

[mr.vang]

best for you to do it take the rack apart and lube it with grease, remove all seal. also seal up all opening so debris won't go in. it won't work like a real manual rack but thats the closest it can get from being depower.

[Vivek]

I've heard that the rack is self lubed and the fluid is all ATF for power steering. What some people do is just remove the bolts and drain the fluid by snapping the steering side to side. People say they've done that for years with no issue. Other people use the banjo bolts to stop dirt from getting in, but use pieces of hose to space them out. This stops pressure from building inside when you turn, which will eventually make it super hard(er) to turn and blow the seals (i know that's vague, but i'm not quite sure which seals they are).

[5Toes]

I am going to delete it to lessen my engines parastatic loss. I believe I will do the delete this way. I will drain the rack, pour some new fluid in and then plug it

[mr.vang]

I am going to delete it to lessen my engines parastatic loss. I believe I will do the delete this way. I will drain the rack, pour some new fluid in and then plug it

[IMG]farm3.static.flickr.com/2289/2420169052_9aec772d3c_o.jpg[/IMG]

if you DD your car, its not even worth it.

[TurboJake]

Leaving it open is bad. Debris can easily get inside.

But if you absolutely must.

http://www.m42club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10885

There's 2 e30's in my driveway. One's mine, one's hers.
Mine has power steering. I like driving my car, way more than hers.
Her car doesn't have power steering. She likes driving my car, way more than hers.

That must make me a woman. But I don't care. For a DD, driving her car is annoying.

[MR 325]

On my old 325e (with i swap) I deleted the power steering. I left the rack OPEN and uncapped and had no issues in 3+ years of DD'ing.

[jasonbk]

Generally I'm totally fine with my non-power steering, except in summer it gets really annoying when I do parallel parking.

[Roysneon]

Not even close to being worth it, especially on a stock, automatic car. You'll gain nothing and it will sick to drive it, especially with the bus like steering ratio of the E30 steering rack.

[Bearmw]

^ actually the "bus like" factory ratio is probably preferable if you have manual steering. Someone correct me if I'm wrong but a quicker (like m3) rack would require more effort. I think factory manual racks are a real slow ratio for a reason. Add in the effect of possibly wider low profile tires and steering without assist becomes a lot harder at low speeds like we often have to do in DD.

[Roysneon]

Decreased effort, yes but you're turning the wheel forever trying to make a 3 point turn or parallel park. Overall its a bad idea for OP to do, especially if he can't afford to do it 'properly'.

[Raxe]

I removed the pump, all hoses and reservoir, cleaned the rack a bit (didn't bleed it) and sealed it with two oil drain plugs. Whatever fluid was left in there is what lubricates it.

I've never missed it in the last 5 years, the experience is totally worth it IMO. These cars feel so great with heavy steering.

[Exodus_2pt0]

Count me in on the "ditch the PS" crowd.

Its a pain in the ass when parking, at first. I don't even notice the required effort anymore, but then again i'm a 6 foot 220lb auto tech.

If you don't have arm muscle to spare you may not like it.

Also, it makes the steering very loose once you are moving, makes the car feel strange until you get used to it.

[5Toes]

So I am going to open the rack, turn it both ways to drain it.. then pour in a little fresh fluid and put hose over the banjo bolts.

Ill let you all know how it goes

Thanks guys!