Power Steering delete for fuel economy gain - anyone done it?

[metromizer]

Wow! Lots of ideas.

That Citation I mentioned, never had the bugs all worked out before I left that company. The boss intended that Chevy to be the beta unit for a mass produced or retrofit car, and as you say Ben, the same steering weather it was in ICE or EV mode, as a requirement

Remember that older manual steer cars often used less caster (I think the metro does, too), which decreases low speed steering effort for ease of parking. I wouldn't get carried away, and I'd reduce the caster, keeping at least 3-5 degrees for higher speed stability.

You could also slightly increase the diameter of the steering wheel, too.

[bennelson]

A bypass for power steering? Sounds like a cool idea!

A few weeks ago, I fixed my gas laundry dryer. The problem was the coil that electronically opens and closes the gas valve.

Couldn't a similar electronic valve be used to open and close a bypass for power-steering?

Push a button, or flip a switch, and have power steering at will!

[arb]

I removed the power steering unit (everything) from the 1992 Caravan I'm putting a 1.6L turbo diesel in. I replaced it with a new manual rack. It steers well at rest because the gears are different - 3 turns lock to lock for a P.S. and 4 turns for a manual. Here are some photos and description of what I did... half way down the page.

VW GTD :: View topic - 1.6L TD in a Dodge Caravan

[dichotomous]

my car has electric power steering, so does the S2000. shove one of those units in your car and be happy. it works when the key is in run mode, even with the engine off (though it pauses for the first turn for some reason)

[Frank Lee]

Yah OK I'll just run out there and git oneuh them.

[dichotomous]

well if you want electric power steering.... its a heck of a lot better solution than fitting an electric motor to a power steering pump. that will draw power all the time, the honda system only uses how much it needs when it needs it.

[Frank Lee]

Does the ecu control it? I'd wager Honda's price for that pump and associated parts is more than I've got in my whole car!

[arb]

Ford has electric pw steering too and will extend it to nearly all of their cars in the next couple of years because they want to be the leader in economy

[Clev]

Maybe some kind of bypass valve to lighten up the steering, coupled with an A/C compressor clutch pulley. Flip a switch, and it freewheels the clutch and pulley, while releasing pressure on the pump so it turns more freely?

[bluetwo]

I've read about a few people who just removed their power steering belt and from the lack of posts about any problems they don't seem to be having any. Of course that doesn't mean there haven't been any complications, maybe it only means they didn't post about it.

Still.... I want to try it and I've been reading up a little. I didn't think much about different ratios or castor settings until I read this thread though. I had an 82 Prelude that turned wonderfully in parking lots and on the roads without any power steering.

Are there any mechanical issues that could come of a "power steering belt delete" and should one be worried about doing anything other than simply disconnecting the belt? I understand the weight savings that could occur if the PS pump was removed but I haven't looked closely at mine to see if it can just unbolt.

I'm talking about a 2000 Civic....