Safe to drive w/o PS belt?

[mnelsen]

first off, yes i searched but didn't find anything really pertaining to my question. I dont get my P/S belt until wednesday but i need my car for tuesday. is it ok to drive around w/o the belt on?

 

[bryanwheat]

It is perfectly fine. Steering will suck, but that is about it. You can get a belt at about any parts store though.

 

[rellow88]

It is perfectly fine as stated above but some people will tell you it will ruin the power steering rack. I have done it for years without replaceing the rack and its perfectly fine no problems and a great are work out trying to park

 

[jrohner]

I've never had a PS belt on my 2G, and I've owned it since 2005.

 

[775TSI]

I have been told by a couple mechanics that running a car without a power steering belt will cause your pump to fry and long term damage to your rack. Essentially without removing any other part except the belt you are trying to force liquid through a system that is not operating and will run dry. Think of it like this, you take about 3/4 of your motor oil out, now if your oil pump was belt driven, remove the belt. Now short term wise some things might fry on the spot. Long term wise you will case unrepairable damage to other parts.

No you will not hurt anything by using it this way for a short time. Yes it will cause damage down the road that you will have to replace almost everything the PS system goes to.

(this is what ive been told and has yet to be proven to me, but makes sense)

 

[bryanwheat]

I have been told by a couple mechanics that running a car without a power steering belt will cause your pump to fry and long term damage to your rack. Essentially without removing any other part except the belt you are trying to force liquid through a system that is not operating and will run dry. Think of it like this, you take about 3/4 of your motor oil out, now if your oil pump was belt driven, remove the belt. Now short term wise some things might fry on the spot. Long term wise you will case unrepairable damage to other parts.

No you will not hurt anything by using it this way for a short time. Yes it will cause damage down the road that you will have to replace almost everything the PS system goes to.

Not all mechanics know what they are talking about. Fluid will be pulled thru the system when you turn the wheel. Unless the fluid level is low in the reservoir than there will ALWAYS be fluid in the system. This is a sealed system, there is no where for the fluid to go.

 

[jrohner]

I have been told by a couple mechanics that running a car without a power steering belt will cause your pump to fry and long term damage to your rack. Essentially without removing any other part except the belt you are trying to force liquid through a system that is not operating and will run dry. Think of it like this, you take about 3/4 of your motor oil out, now if your oil pump was belt driven, remove the belt. Now short term wise some things might fry on the spot. Long term wise you will case unrepairable damage to other parts.

Having no fluid (and leaving the belt on) is what would cause the pump to fry.

 

[775TSI]

Well the question here is. Is it ok to drive around with the belt off? I answer no, its never ok. There is a reason for that belt to be there or there wouldn't be one. Others will argue but again there is no evidence to point in either direction. In cases like this it becomes a drivers choice.

 

[josh408]

How many miles you trying to drive it? I say go ahead, I've driven without power steering before as others have as well. but it's your choice.