Will strong arming the taurus ruin the power steering system?

[Xionide]

I have a 89 taurus and the power steering fluid just gets puked out when I drive it. If I just drive it without fluid will it mess anything other than the power steering pump up? (I already bought a new one). I know I should just put a new one in but the thing is you have to lift the engine to do it cause of the way the pulley is on there.

 

[SuperSix]

Bad idea - it will put metal shavings and contaminants in the fluid ssytem, which will in turn contaminate and ruin the rack & pinion..

 

[Xionide]

ok wont do it then.

 

[jagec]

actually, it depends. Sometimes (if the hose has a very small crack or hole in it) the system will not leak unless it's under pressure, so there is still fluid to prevent the pump from getting screwed up even when there is no power assist. My Celica was this way. It's...a risk, though.

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: jagec
actually, it depends. Sometimes (if the hose has a very small crack or hole in it) the system will not leak unless it's under pressure, so there is still fluid to prevent the pump from getting screwed up even when there is no power assist. My Celica was this way. It's...a risk, though.

Its leaking out of the pump so it pumps all the fluid out.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Xionide

Originally posted by: jagec
actually, it depends. Sometimes (if the hose has a very small crack or hole in it) the system will not leak unless it's under pressure, so there is still fluid to prevent the pump from getting screwed up even when there is no power assist. My Celica was this way. It's...a risk, though.

Its leaking out of the pump so it pumps all the fluid out.

In that case, don't. It'll screw things up.

 

[thedarkwolf]

What all else does the belt to the powersteering pump go too? If its all by itself or with something you don't need like a/c you can just cut it and that won't hurt anything untill you get around to replacing the pump. You might be able to get away with using a shorting belt and just bypassing it aswell.

 

[Xionide]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
What all else does the belt to the powersteering pump go too? If its all by itself or with something you don't need like a/c you can just cut it and that won't hurt anything untill you get around to replacing the pump. You might be able to get away with using a shorting belt and just bypassing it aswell.

Not really possible on these tauruses. They are more integrated than an imac.

 

[freebee]

Its not safe doing that on a vehicle that heavy with no power steering. Certain vehicles are able to be driven without power assisted steering due to design, however "strong-arming" is not a reliable, nor long-term solution to your problem. Probably, wouldn't damage anything as long as the car is moving but you should install the pump asap.

 

[TechnoKid]

If there is a way to cap or loop the high pressure hose and the return hose from the rack with fluid in it, you won't tear the rack and pinion to pieces, ad there will be some fluid left inside the system. If the pump is running with no fluid in it, it will get worn; you'd have to figure a way to disconnect the p/s pump (usu removing the drive belt for it, unless its off of a serpentine) to prevent this.

Is it the pump that actually spits out the lfuis or is it any of the hoses or the rack itself?

 

[thedarkwolf]

It would only be a pain in the butt at really really low speeds. Once you moving even a little its really not that bad. I actually thought it felt better on the car I had to cut the belt on.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Where is Oger when you need him?