Power Steering Removal [Merged 8-7]

[boosted_91_tsi]

My 91 talon was recently in a wreck and the power steering lines/ res. were damaged. Rather then replace this I was thinking of just doing away with it all together. Just wondering if anyone knew what all needs to be done or if anyone has any thoughts against this that may not have crossed my mind.
Thanx,
Dan

 

[pnishr]

Thought I'd bring this back, rather than start a new one.

I removed the belt on my PS last night because the pump is bad (rather, the bearing on the pulley) and I was tired of being embarraced by the sound. I drove it around for a while. It's not so bad. It's definitely harder that any of my other non-PS cars have been, but not SO awful.

Oh, and right hand turns are definitely harder than left hand turns (for somebody that is used to driving with the left hand, shifting with the right) But, as long as you're in the appropriate gear for the speed and turn, which you should be in, then it's no biggie to slap the right hand up for an assist in the first part of the turn.

I definitely feel like my arms will get into good shape from this.

I've been considering this for a while to remove weight/parasitic drag/crap in the engine bay. I'll drive it for a week and decide whether or not it goes for good. This is a recreational DD, being prepped for road-race car. Maybe I'll try draining the fluid to check that out before I make a final decision.

Also, everybody, bare in mind, the lighter the car, the easier the turning will be. So, if you are making a "race" car, and stripping 600-800lbs, there will be a substantial difference.

Ok, just thought I'd contribute, cause I know there are 2g guys out there interested in doing this removal.

Thanks to the thread starter for a useful reference!

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

Can I remove the power steering pump entirely and belt and still drive the car problem free???? It's a 1990 AWD TSI.

 

[Eclipsethis90]

Yes, but need to loop the line on the power steering rack and ensure it is full of fluid so i moves smoothly. There are some drawbacks when I did this a few years ago. At slow speed turns and backing up the wheel was difficult to move and eventually my rack gave out. If you don't want power steering get a manual rack. and swap it.

 

[Locke]

My 1g has been driving for a few years with the rack empty, and both sides hooked together. It steers now as well as it did a few years ago.

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

How hard is it to swap out a rack (any forums?)

and ...

what does it mean "rack was empty" and "hooked both sides together"? I am power-steering stupid and clarification would be really appreciated. Would this help my motor in anyway (safe-wise) and free up some future problem?

Thanks Guys!!

 

[Littlebeeper]

if you leave the oil lones open the power steering fluid will empty out. by hooking them together there will always be fluid in the rack to lubricate the gears in there. in my opinion the rack will l ast longer if there is oil in there to lubricate at the least.

this will also free up some HP on the motor.

 

[Defiant]

Can I remove the power steering pump entirely and belt and still drive the car problem free????

Not even Chuck Norris can drive a DSM problem-free.

 

[1G90AWDTsi]

Not even Chuck Norris can drive a DSM problem-free.

well...what i meant was problem-free in regard to the steering rack. I do have other stuuupid and irratating and exhausting problems that will probably stick around for awhile.

missing when turbos on, screaming belts, oil in timing belt (getting fixed soon),

 

[inneedof]

you will be fine, every dsm i have every owned has had no power steering on a power rack

 

[Dsmboy1991]

If you are looking to eliminate all the power steering components the best way to do it is to get a manual rack. This is what I did in my first DSM and I loved it. You can get a manual rack from a 1g N/T 1.8. Any other questions just ask.


Jon Nye

 

[dsmpokolm]

How much extra power would you get by removing the power steering assembly?? Probably not worth it. If it is in the way I have heard of people relocating it.

 

[Quasimondo]

That PS pump can be spun by hand. IMO, that means you're not going to be freeing up any significant amounts of power to make this worthwhile. If it's leaking, rebuild or replace it.

 

[inneedof]

How much extra power would you get by removing the power steering assembly?? Probably not worth it. If it is in the way I have heard of people relocating it.

i have heard reports of three horse power, this also removes weight though however,

the main factor in if this would be for you is, how strong are you? parking lots can be a bi***

 

[Defiant]

well...what i meant was problem-free in regard to the steering rack.

I think in the dozens of other "power steering removal" threads, they recommend close-looping the hydraulic connections on the rack.

 

[M3BEAST]

I've done it. Loop the in and out lines with fuel hose and clamps. Make sure some oil is in there to lube the rack. Steering is like dragging a second car. But overall, it's clean and oil leak resistant and squealing resistant too. i recommend this.

 

[dsmtalon2008]

Ok, so people with the 1st gens are just replacing with a 1.8 power steering rack. The 2g guys are looping the lines together, then eventually regretting it because they fail, or they are DePowering the 2g rack. I was wondering if anyone out there has a more simplistic way of removing power steering from a 2g. Thanks and appreciate the help, Derrick

 

[gstryyder]

why are you wanting to remove the power steering?

 

[brassc2007]

the easiest way to remove the power steering is to comvert the rack over to a manual rack that would be the safest with the less regret.

 

[dsmtalon2008]

Not for the minor power/weight difference from the process, but the space/appearance are more appealing to me. My car is no longer a street car and I have no need to parallel park.

Brassc2007, which models came equipped with the manual rack then?

 

[AWD_FIEND]

No 2Gs came equiped with manual racks from the factory. Your only option is to have a manual rack made from your housing (contact a drag race chassis builder for details) or remove your lines and leave it open until it inevitably fails.

 

[habitatguy187]

Just remove it, keep some fluid in the lines, and attach the two with a hose (loop the lines)

I removed my PS about 2 weeks ago and it's super easy to drive, only thing I don't like doing is U-turns while talking on my cell phone .

 

[Side_Show]

does anyone know what size and thread pitch the barb fitting has to be, to loop the line on the rack.

 

[Side_Show]

i took out the powersteering today and it looks like the fitting i need are 14mm by 1.5mm thread, does that seem like the correct size. I have to wait until wednesday to get the fitting

 

[greenydsm]

while my car is down, i went ahead and removed all of my power steering stuff. Mainly for a cleaner engine bay. This car is not my daily, its a pure track car. I will do a manual rack someday soon, but for the time being i was looking into looping my lines. How exactly are you guys looping the lines?

anyone care to explain?


thanks- ben

 

[Dsm Gst]

if i went outside 2moro and removed my ps and everyting that goes with it but i dont switch the rack for a manual one is anything bad gonna happen?