Power Steering Removal
03-08-2004, 02:27 PM
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: MN
Posts: 12
My power steering belt fell off today and I kind of liked driving with out it. So I was wondering what is the best way to remove it? Should I get a manual rack or can I just use the one that is on there right now. If the manual rack is the best way to go, where can I get one for an 86 GXL?
03-08-2004, 02:28 PM
#2
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 4,773
If you don't get a manual rack, you can just take out the PS pump, lines, and computer, and then loop the lines on the steering rack. Just make sure to do it right or you'll pop the seal on the rack, and that's no fun.
03-08-2004, 03:10 PM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 421
Driving with a true manual rack is actually even nicer than driving with the P/S one without the belt. I have had both.
I removed the pump and exchanged the rack myself. It was tough but worth it. I like the way it drives and I do not have to **** around with the leaks anymore.
Mazdatrix sells them but they are expensive. I got one from my local shop for far less, it was used but far less. Just got to look around. I am sure someone around here knows.
If you are going to do the exchange yourself, allow for good time. You have to remove the front anti-sway bar to get the rack off and even then it has to be fanagled out. Not tough just need time.
I removed the pump and exchanged the rack myself. It was tough but worth it. I like the way it drives and I do not have to **** around with the leaks anymore.
Mazdatrix sells them but they are expensive. I got one from my local shop for far less, it was used but far less. Just got to look around. I am sure someone around here knows.
If you are going to do the exchange yourself, allow for good time. You have to remove the front anti-sway bar to get the rack off and even then it has to be fanagled out. Not tough just need time.
03-08-2004, 03:35 PM
#4
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ames, IA
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Originally Posted by gazellis' date='Mar 8 2004, 03:10 PM
Driving with a true manual rack is actually even nicer than driving with the P/S one without the belt. I have had both.
03-08-2004, 11:34 PM
#5
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Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Louisville KY 40299
Posts: 344
Driving with the belt off is a LOT hard than driving with it all removed and done right.
I pulled my pump/lines and then drained most ( but not all. You need some fluid in there to keep it lubricated ) of the PS fluid and plugged it back up. Been that way for almost a year now.
I pulled my pump/lines and then drained most ( but not all. You need some fluid in there to keep it lubricated ) of the PS fluid and plugged it back up. Been that way for almost a year now.
03-08-2004, 11:56 PM
#6
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Miami, Florida
Posts: 1,591
m friends car has power steering and his steering is super loose all the time like you are going 80 and the wheel in you look at wrong the car wants to loose control is ther any way to adjust it so it is not so loose all the time? I once read that there is a way to adjust the computer so its tighter?
03-09-2004, 02:45 PM
#9
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Canada
Posts: 3,502
Originally Posted by UniqueTII' date='Mar 8 2004, 01:35 PM
I agree. My opinion may not count since my PS rack got fuxxored when I looped the lines, but even at its easiest, a manual rack is much easier. My sport has one and the TII I'm hoping to get soon also has one. Win.
Right now I'm trying to figure out if I should loop lines or just block them off entirely..
03-09-2004, 02:54 PM
#10
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Ames, IA
Posts: 4,773
I think it's because:
The same thing will happen if you just cap them and there's fluid in there.
Originally Posted by UniqueTII' date='Mar 8 2004, 02:28 PM
If you don't get a manual rack, you can just take out the PS pump, lines, and computer, and then loop the lines on the steering rack. Just make sure to do it right or you'll pop the seal on the rack, and that's no fun.
The same thing will happen if you just cap them and there's fluid in there.