(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Bypass power steering? Not a tractor.

RedMF40

RedMF40

Well-known Member
So here's the latest adventure: Steering rack on my 2001 honda cr-v is leaking bad. This is the car I will be replacing engine and trans, posted sometime back about this. Makes sense to replace the rack while I have motor and trans out. In meantime, to save the pwr steering pump, is it possible to just bypass it, take the belt off? Yes, steering will be more difficult, not worried about that. Just wondering if this puts undue stress on other mechanical parts due to no power assist? At this point the whole car needs to be rebuilt but I really like it and have the parts ready to go in. On a more positive note, recently replaced wiper blades and that went pretty well. Thanks for any advice.

Gerrit in Maryland
 
Your problem then gets into what holds the rack in place? Yep. Those cute brackets. I can relate to you the story of an individual who did
that. Eventually the retainer brackets broke and the rack was flopping around pretty good. Made for interesting steering. Or a lack thereof.
His was off for some time.
Your mileage may vary.
 
Well, it sure will steer harder. Maybe even dangerously hard. Just removing the belt will still leave the hydraulics in place. Now, in addition to having no assist, you will also need to overcome the hydraulics in the system. That also assumes that you have a dedicated belt for the power steering that isn't needed by something else like water pump, alternator or whatever.

It won't hurt the pump, and it will not put any extra stress on anything but the steering column. Even if it did affect the rack, you are replacing that anyways.

A suggestion. Add a cup or so of brake fluid to the power steering fluid. It just might stop the leak. I've done that to a few racks in my time, and it worked for me.
 
We did that many years back with an older Ford Escort ...... seemed to last forever, steering was more difficult but not a struggle by any means. I'd suggest to give it a try, I don't think you'll harm anything (hopefully) !!!
 

Thanks, I'll try the brake fluid trick. Not holding out much hope, though. I can use the car today so I'll see how that goes. Yes, it looks like the belt for the pwr steering is dedicated to that one accessory. I looked at the repair manual for replacing just the rack with the motor in place and it is not a walk in the park. Don't know how many hours a shop would charge but it is pretty involved. Probably some shortcuts a more experienced tech would know. Plan to do it with engine removed anyway so it should be a little easier. Likely I'll remove the belt in the interim due to running the reservoir low on fluid. Don't want to damage the pump. I appreciate the replies, will check back with anything new.
 
My 97 Geo tracker has been that way for a number of years now. Ever since the wife drove it into a fence it has had the belt off the power steering pump due to bad leak and the cost to fix it is high
 

Lucas makes a fluid for leaky power steering systems. If any mechanic in a can will help, a Lucas product will. Might be worth a try.
 
I had to do it with a school bus years ago. It was not fun. I was
on a trip late and busted a hose. I cut the pump belts and
drove it the rest of the trip, home, and to the shed the next
morning. It would make a man out of you. And it wasn?t an
automatic so shifting and wrestling that wheel was nice.

Your car should be no problem.
 
I think you would be money ahead to just sell it or scrap it. find another one thats in a little better shape to put your parts on.
 
Its going to be to hard to drive that car with no power steering. Its not going to be as easy and the older cars and trucks that dont have
power steering to start with. And its not going o be safe for you
 
Your steering wheel isn't the same diameter as when PS was a luxury in luxury cars. It DOES make a difference and that was with RWD, not FWD cars.
Other thing is if you replace it and it is Variable Ratio, replace with VR. That also DOES make a difference in turning at low speeds like in a parking lot, or
trying to back a trailer or such.
 
(quoted from post at 17:19:08 02/28/20) I think you would be money ahead to just sell it or scrap it. find another one thats in a little better shape to put your parts on.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice. I have a lot of history with this car, over 336K miles now and really it's just the trans that is failing. Motor is strong, doesn't burn oil. I'll replace both together though. Assorted suspension parts need replacing to get rid of clunks and then there's the steering rack issue. So it's more of a time issue right now than a money issue. But the weather is starting to break and I won't need to put the heat on in my shop and I also have a short break while I'm waiting for some materials for my kitchen remodel. It's now or never.

Texasmark--I'll probably go with a new steering rack, thanks for the suggestion on VR. I have one from an identical parts car with low mileage--so it would be an original Honda part, but no guarantee that one will last.
 

It is a safety issue and if you have a wreck and are caught (like perhaps wrecker driver sees there is not belt) your insurance may not like it. The civil lawsuit jury may not like it either if someone is injured do to your cheapness.
 
(quoted from post at 15:47:08 02/28/20) s.

A suggestion. Add a cup or so of brake fluid to the power steering fluid. It just might stop the leak. I've done that to a few racks in my time, and it worked for me.
Click to expand...

On my Subarus, the PS fluid IS brake fluid!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

D
Hydrostatic Power steering problem
Replies
4
Views
500
wore out
wore out
D
Massey Ferguson 205 3 cyl perkins diesel power steering conversion
Replies
1
Views
232
Caryc
C
D
2010 Power steering
Replies
17
Views
680
Daniel in PA
D
9
Ford 3600 Diesel Power Steering Debacle
Replies
6
Views
292
Welding man
Welding man
P
350 u power steering reassembled but not working
Replies
12
Views
558
Paul 300 U
P
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top