power steering damage

[lazyE30]

hey all i read somewhere that some guy took the power steering off an audi and the steering rack went out so i was wondering if the rack on an e30 would go out if you left the power steering off...?

[jlevie]

The rack does depend on the PS fluid for lubrication. It won't last long of run dry, but if you arrange for it to stay full of fluid (and change it periodically) there shouldn't be any problem with deleting the PS pump.

[Maluco]

The rack does depend on the PS fluid for lubrication. It won't last long of run dry, but if you arrange for it to stay full of fluid (and change it periodically) there shouldn't be any problem with deleting the PS pump.

"deleting the PS pump"????

[jlevie]

That means removing the PS pump from the car and reverting to manual steering.

[Maluco]

I understand now, I was reading another thread about guys converting their "power steering" to manual steering which included removing the pump. Crazy IMO but I've never felt a manual steering before except for when my pump went out.... I just rebuilt my pump and am going to rebuilt my rack soon.

[jlevie]

Some folks just don't like the feel of boosted steering and sometimes the motivation for removing the pump is to free up a tiny bit more power. Steering feel is a bit more precise without the boost from the pump but that's offset by the greater effort required at low speeds. Personally I don't think the slight power increase or marginally better feel is worth the increase in slow speed steering effort.

[Maluco]

Personally I don't think the slight power increase or marginally better feel is worth the increase in slow speed steering effort.

Yes, like most things/mods of this type, the take is just not worth the give...