Toyota Echo power steering delete mod?

[Allch Chcar]

Zman, the powersteering pump does turn quite easy by hand but it also robs power. I've seen it suggested the difference was 3% better fuel economy(on EPA's test cycle) from using an electric powersteering setup instead of a belt driven hydraulic power steering. It was somewhere on Chevy's website about the Cobalt's power steering. The belt running over the pump still generates a good amount of resistance. The performance guys have seen the difference on a dynamometer for years.

My dad's '89 Regal's power steering pump hasn't been working for awhile, I took the belt off to check it's resistance and it didn't have any. I've driven it a few times and like everyone says, the only problem is fighting the wheel at crawling speed or slower. Manual racks are a little bit lighter than power steering racks too. I'd put a manual rack in my truck if I was going to rebuild it. That and eliminate the whole belt system with electric accessories.

[Ryland]

check out car-part.com they have used manual steering racks for the Echo that start at $40 and there are a good handful of them at $50

[jime57]

Originally Posted by DIMS

I was also curious, so I bought and inspected a used 2003 Echo Power steering pump. The torque required to turn the pump was so small I needed to use an Inch lbs torque wrench. However I still want to make an aluminum Power steering Pulley if I can get the current one off.

Though I applaud your initiative, I kinda doubt that a "static" test like this is really going to get at the answer. Frictional and hydraulic losses are going to be different at speed. In addition, actually driving a car, with real world turns is a different load situation.

If one drives a car in engine off coasting mode, one notices that it takes very little effort for the small steering inputs required to keep the car straight. But the effort required to make tight turns at low speed is considerably more. So, the actual saving is probably going to depend somewhat on the type of driving one does. It will also differ for different cars.

It would be nice to see some actual ScanGauge test drive results. Maybe I'll do a driving test myself if I can find a good test course and design a good test procedure. Even then, the results would only apply to one car, under one set of conditions.

[Allch Chcar]

If you can test it please do. The powersteering pump is still the lowest common denominator. It does improve FE to remove it. But how much?

[jime57]

I've been looking at the pully layout on the Echo and testing would be a bear! One must remove the generator belt before one can remove the power steering belt and the power steering pump bracket is difficult to access, so an a-b-a test would be very difficult. I'll give it a try one day when I have lots of time - a rare commodity ;-)

[zman]

I agree with jimepting, the a-b-a test would be very time consuming.

Has enyone converted their power steering from engine driven to electric, if so what was the process?

[Ryland]

Why not just put an Echo manual steering rack in the car? it should be held in place by 4 bolts and the two tie rod ends, and weigh alot less then the power steering rack, it's also made for that car and designed to work perfectly with it, I'm sure you could sell the power steering rack and pump for a profit so at that point it would just be your time.

[ModelE]

steering with power steering with no power to it is a lot harder than regular non-power steering because you have to steer through the fluid that is sitting in the pump. this will kill the mechanism itself and steering is really hard. when i EOC in my vehicles the steering gets like this and it is very difficult to turn the wheel.

[whokilledthejams]

I'd suggest getting a non-PS Echo rack. It's something I'd like to do with the xB, actually. They're such light cars as it is, it would be an easy thing to live without.

[evolutionmovement]

The manual rack will likely require more turns lock to lock, so keep that in mind.