PS conversion/How to find manual rack for vehicle?

[Sunaj]

I've determined my rack is leaking or a seal is broken on a 16 yr old whip.

rather than go for power steering again, I originally had wanted to do a manual rack conversion but was confronted with great difficulty due to do my engine design.

Long story short since my PS pump runs on the serpentine belt and provides leverage for the water pump ( reverse flow) I have to leave it on. I've decided to basically keep the pump on the belt line, but I will remove the reservoir and lines and just plug up the holes on the pump.

I can either get another powered rack and alter it before i put it in the whip, or i can get a manual rack, but that would assume there was a manual version of my make and model right? if so, I dont think theres a manual rack for a 2000 chevy malibu.

If this is the case am I fine in modifying the new rack before i put it in? should i add fluid in the rack and just loop the lines? or will i have to get any air out of the rack first, by adding fluid while turning the wheels, then loop the lines? a little confused on a new install

[oil pan 4]

For my old chevys I have manual steering boxes available.
For newer cars with racks, there may never have been a manual rack option.
I found my manual steering box on Rockauto.
If Rockauto does not have it then you will have to find something that can be made to fit.

If you want to make a power rack into a manual put some gear oil in it, loop the lines and seal the system, maybe put a vent line in.

[Sunaj]

Shouldnt be any problem in taking a brand new rack and putting some oil in it, looping and reinstalling? thats it?I assume the oil pours directly into the rack/pinion ports?

[spacemanspif]

Removing the reservoir and capping the ports on the pump will not work to "delete" power steering. It will quickly lead to pump failure and most likely seize up while driving, not something that will end well. If your engine came on newer GMs with electric power steering, you might be able to find a PS delete pulley/bracket to use. I know with my Focus' engine that I can take a bracket/pulley off a 4cyl Escape with electric steering if I want to delete my PS pump.

[Sunaj]

even if the pump is capped with fluid in it, this is still gonna lead to failure? how so? Theres no power steering bypass pulley available for my vehicle and the engine as a 3.1 V6

[Frank Lee]

I thought you already had a thread on this?

[Sunaj]

seemingly related, but not the same.

[oil pan 4]

Just disconnecting the power steering and looping the lines will not save any engine power.
Virtually every bit of power wasted by the power steering pump is wasted with the pump in bypassing mode. Which is exactly the same as looping the lines on the pump.

[Sunaj]

at this point, dont really care to save any engine power. Mainly doing this as to not have to put up with the potential failure of the system again ( mainly dealing with fluid leaks), and also provides easier access to my fuel rail port to check fuel pressure when needed. Plus, it will be nice to have the lines out of my vehicle. With that said, cap the holes, or cut the lines and cap them there, with sealed fluid in the pump, how can it still seize? I thought that was due to the pump not having lube?

[spacemanspif]

Since you don't care about the MPG boost in theory you could connect your pressure line to the return line and the pump will free pump constantly but has some concerns.

1) not sure the pressure while the pump is on bypass mode
2) not sure the return port can flow enough to keep the up "unloaded"
3) reduced oil capacity means the pump will heat the fluid faster
4) fluid might get hotter but I'm not sure of the inherent cooling of a fully functional system

Keeping the pump and looping the lines and looping the lines on the rack will create extra complexity for no real gains. You will be just as likely to develop leaks with or without power assit since you essentially plan to retain the entire system. Without deleting the pump I THINK you are basically chasing your tail and it will be more worth your time to fix the system than modify it with your current plan. Of course, you are welcome to do whatever you wish I am simply inputting my $0.02