POLL: Can you live without Power Steering?

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TheAudit

Diamond Member
May 2, 2003
4,194
0
0
I had a Jeep without power steering. The only time it was a pain was when I had to crank the steering wheel to park. But it wasn't that bothersome at all.

I'd rather be without power steering than have overly boosted steering where the car feels numb and you can't tell what the front tires are doing.
 

Calin

Diamond Member
Apr 9, 2001
3,112
0
0
The power steering is something to help driving at slow speeds or while sitting. At medium or high speeds, the power steering help is no longer needed.
I would certainly live without power steering, but my bicycle needs it sooo bad :p (but my car has power steering)

Calin
 

StageLeft

No Lifer
Sep 29, 2000
70,150
5
0
On a 3000lb car, no.

Actually if it was setup for lack of power steering it might be better. I never had a problem with my mother's justy and I don't think it had power steering. even parallel parking was fine. I'm sure I could do ok in a 3000 lber.
 

Ynog

Golden Member
Oct 9, 2002
1,782
1
0
Yes I can live without it, but after having to drive cars without power steering I would prefer it.
 

edmundoab

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2003
3,223
0
0
www.facebook.com
just a matter of using more strength, I drove on a non-power steering before,
to add to the weight.. sports rim..
still works fine..

Parking can be a sweat though LOL
 

Fiveohhh

Diamond Member
Jan 18, 2002
3,776
0
0
I think it depends on what your driving. a small metro (i don't even know if they come with PS) would be easy to get along with. A full size truck would be a PITA
 

HiTek21

Diamond Member
Jul 4, 2002
4,391
1
0
I drove several cars without power steering and it wasn't all that bad. The power steering pully on my old car broke off and I had to drive it without power steering for a few weeks I could get it fixed.
 

GagHalfrunt

Lifer
Apr 19, 2001
25,284
1,998
126
My first car was a '67 Mustang with a big V8, heavy body, extreme frontend weight bias and no power steering. Now I've got a '65 Mustang with a slightly lighter body, a smaller V8 and a better front/rear weight ratio. At normal driving speed it's easy, at very low speeds it's quite a chore and parallel parking is a real workout. If you have a heavy car without PS upper body work at the gym is completely unnecessary. I can't even imagine driving one of those late 50's or early 60's 4000lb+ behemoths without power steering, with smaller and lighter cars it's managable.
 

WinkOsmosis

Banned
Sep 18, 2002
13,990
1
0
Not my car. Caster is 7 degrees. At lock, for parallel parking and such, you can see the front of the car raise and lower.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
If the car has a true non-assist steering rack, then yes. If it has broken power steering, no. A broken power steering booster makes the wheel much more difficult to turn than non-assisted setup.

Depending on the car, I prefer non-assisted steering. My 914 has a very nice and direct steering because there's no power assist. Same for the brakes. It's great. :D

Not so sure that I'd want non-assisted steering or brakes on my 3,800 pound Lincoln though. ;)

ZV
 

NutBucket

Lifer
Aug 30, 2000
27,177
647
126
If the steering system is designed to be manual then no problem (ala dad's toyota truck).
 

jonMEGA

Golden Member
May 21, 2001
1,232
0
0
i had a 1970 ford f100 without ps. I had forearms like popeye after driving that thing around town. :)
 

cavemanmoron

Lifer
Mar 13, 2001
13,670
34
91
Replying to Topic: POLL: Can you live without Power Steering?
Created On 04/15/2004 4:52 AM by Xiety

So, could you?

Total Votes: 109


Yes
63 (votes) 57.80 (%)
No
28 (votes) 25.69 (%)
Never had it before.
3 (votes) 2.75 (%)
Shrek loves Fiona.
15 (votes) 13.76 (%)



I voted,Yes; My car does Not have power steering;

1967 Camaro with a Big Block,and a 4 speed. :D
 

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
i've driven 3 or 4 manual cars without power steering (of varying ages, from ancient to really old, to old) and it was never a problem. once you get above parking lot speeds you can't even tell the difference.
 

Perknose

Forum Director & Omnipotent Overlord
Forum Director
Oct 9, 1999
46,927
10,791
147
Hell, everything's boosted these days. Just look at Pamela Anderson.