Ok so this weekend I will be back in Long Beach from college and will actually have some time to work on my car. As some of you know i've been have problems with my power steering control valve (all 4 replacements) and this last one I got was supposed to be high quality (from ssbc) but it leaks worse than anything before it. I'm going to attempt the install one more time when i get home to see if was just doing it wrong the 8 times before (doubt it) but if it doesn't work after that I'm going to be sending it back to SSBC

so here's my question, since I want to start my car and get her rolling around again, can I just remove the belt off the power steering and take it around the block? Will this damage the control valve or power steering cylinder? Can I drive it when i remove the power steering cylinder to send it back with only the control valve there? Since there is no fluid being pushed through I don't see that there would be a problem, but I don't know if this will be putting extra stress on my suspension or control valve or anything.

I also want to just take off the belt to see if I like the manual steering. I'm going to be redoing my suspension and if I can't get this power steering thing resolved I may just convert it all to manual, but we will see. So if I take the belt off to test out the manual I just want to be sure it won't damage anything else

thanks!

 

It shouldnt make a difference.. Take the belt off and since you will have the ram out it should make it easier to steer. I believe that the steering box is a 16 : 1 turn ratio and the manual steering box is 18 : 1 ... Its going to be a little hard to turn in tight spots and when parking but you should be ok..

 

sweet I hope thats the case. Should I plug up the holes on the control valve with anything?

 

I wouldn't drive it without working hydraulics for too long - http://www.stangerssite.com/nohydraulics.html

 

Well, it won't be like driving manual steering. With no hydraulic pressure, you'll have nearly half a turn of play in the steering wheel. You need to be getting your steering parts from a better source.

The ratio of your box identical to the manual GT etc. steering.

 

thanks for that link stanger53... looks like it isn't a good idea for too long.

2+2GT, are you saying that it's the power steering components that cause play in the steering wheel? I already have maybe 1/4 to 1/3 a turn of play in my steering (after adjusting the steering box already), is part of this attributed to a worn out power steering system? I always heard it was the tie rods and such.

If I properly convert it all to manual steering will there be less play than if I just totally redid everything back to power steering?