How many of you drained all of power steering fluid and how long/many miles you've been driving like that? Manual racks don't have power steering fluid. right?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">How many of you drained all of power steering fluid and how long/many miles you've been driving like that? Manual racks don't have power steering fluid. right? </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a bit of fluid in my rack, with the rack vented but the pump and all gone. It's been that way for almost two years now, with now problems. I know you don't add PS fluid to manual racks, I'm not sure if there's actually anything in there for lubrication though.

 

when i removed my p.s. i left the fluid in the rack. it is a moving part so like other moving parts it needs lubrication to function properly. i also used a breather can to make steering easier.

 

I did that for 4 years, I left a little bit of fluid in the rack, but hooked up a breather on the pressure and return lines.

I just re-installed all of the power steering and AC, and what a joy it is to drive the car. I should have never touched that stuff...it's not worth the couple of whp you gain.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Helsinki &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I should have never touched that stuff...it's not worth the couple of whp you gain.</TD></TR></TABLE>

If you're removing it for the additional whp, you're wasting your time (like you said).

The main reason to remove it is for the additional steering feedback it provides when you track your ITR.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you're removing it for the additional whp, you're wasting your time (like you said).

The main reason to remove it is for the additional steering feedback it provides when you track your ITR. </TD></TR></TABLE>

yep, i'm not doing it for hp. but would like to hear more opinions on running no fluid or from experience

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Reid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

If you're removing it for the additional whp, you're wasting your time (like you said).

The main reason to remove it is for the additional steering feedback it provides when you track your ITR. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Exactly. On the track, one of my bad habits was to turn in too early (I used to track a civic with a manual rack). The switch to no p/s actually helps take a bit longer to turn, even if I am a bit early & I definately get more feedback than with the p/s on.

**I went with no p/s belt for 2 years, then installed padwan's kit. No problems other than the resevoir had the clamp cut through the plastic - no sweat - I just used a better clamp on the new resevoir & epoxied the old for a backup.

 

3yr/17K miles with no problem. I don't recommend doing it for autoXing because you will be spending all your run time fighting the stiffness of the now manual rack around the tight cones. However, loosing about 200 pounds off you or the your car will do wonder = almost like having power assist + the additional steering feed back.

 

5 years here, no issues. i just looped the main fat power steering hose back to the firewall.

 

padawan kit on the race car for a couple years now.. no issues..

a manual rack would be the way to go, if you wanted to go through the trouble of replacing it.. sealed/greased.. much smoother than the looped system..

 

for these who replied, did you drain all of the fluid?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vtec.dc2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">for these who replied, did you drain all of the fluid?</TD></TR></TABLE>

nope.. I use a Padawan recirculating kit with the express purpose of keeping fluid in there to keep it lubed..