Power steering pump delete revisted
 

Hello.

I would like to know is the power steering deletion universal to all automatics?

I have a 2000 Chevy Malibu LS 3.1. I want to delete the power steering system for better accessibility and less drag on the engine. I don't want to install a manual rack, just wanna get rid of the resistor, pump, and two power steering lines.

If I do this, will this damage the rack and pinion? I plan to do the loop trick to keep a little fluid in there for lubrication and for easier turning ( unless its not needed)

Any thoughts>? thanks

I've done a few. Make sure to take off the belt and drive it a bit to see how it feels first. If you can drive it that way, you can definitely loop the line. It'll still be a bear to drive at lower MPH though.

Otherwise, hydraulic power steering works about the same on all cars. Pull the lines, crank that wheel left and right a few times to get out as much fluid as you can, then loop the lines. Just loop the line at the rack, not the pinion

will it damage the rack and or /pinion over time like this? other threads i've read on other forums say " NO, YOU CAN POTENTIALLY SEIZE THE RACK AND PINION!"

Potentially, sure... but odds are, the car will rust apart before then. Just keep it sealed up when you are done. Don't let moisture and crud in there, so loop that line solid as soon you are are done. If you don't pull the fluid, you are gonna push the fluid between the two cylinders through that looped line and it will cause resistance. Pump out all the fluids you can and the little bit left at the bottom should help against corrosion and keep the piston lubricated enough.

I had it this way with my Neon for quite some time. When I rebuilt the engine, I pulled it apart and took the piston out to remove the last bit of potential resistance. The insides looked just fine.

It will seize for sure if the lines are left open letting in dirt and water.

Any other items related to the pump you guys/gals removed? you guys remove the power steering pump motor as well?

If you can, definitely. Less weight and makes more room in the engine bay. And, one less thing that can leak fluid.

Either cap or loop lines at the pinion as well. Don't leave them open!

I took out the power steering pump on my suburban.

I followed NoD's instructions for removing my power steering pump. Someone recently told me it was dangerous. I did not ask why. I guess if it actually were, they would have mentioned it.

There's 2 "dangers" to it.

1. Steering is harder on most cards without power steering. Most cars will be very hard without the assist, especially under ~1MPH. This could be dangerous if you can't turn your wheel when you need to (out of a tight parking space).

2. You don't seal up your install properly and something gets in there and causes the steering to seize up. This isn't likely to happen while driving instantly and unexpectedly, but not impossible. As soon as you squirt out the fluid by going full left and right a few times, loop that line and clamp them tight! Don't neglect the pinion off the steering column. Either loop those or cap them. They won't be pumping anything (like air or fluids) between two chambers like the rack will be, so looping isn't necessary. I think when I did mine on my Neon, I capped them with the original metal lines by using pliers to pinch them shut, then folded the end over... I want to say I even put some silicone in there before doing that to make sure it was extra tight. Even a tiny, invisible hole can get moisture in there, which can do some damage and possible cause seizure.

So yeah, it's dangerous. But really, any time you mod your car, it's potentially hazardous. Just always make sure to do your homework and think things out before you execute.

Make sure you know all the information before you go doing anything you aren't familiar or comfortable with. Google "power steering line loop" and do some reading. I'd never recommend doing anything like this without that minimal type of research first!

I'm only confident because I've done it a few times and it's never given me any issues. I just pulled the non-working electric power steering off my Insight and it was definitely a nice difference, but it's a very different system from the traditional hydraulic systems.

Good luck either way!