So, my integra has been leaking power steering fluid somewhere and i just decided to let it run dry, no fluid. I'm okay with no power steering but would it affect anything besides just no power steering?

 

It lubes the pump and steering rack. Either remove the PS system and loop the rack. Or disconnect the drive belt and loop the rack.

If you don't at least disconnect the drive belt...the pump will eventually sieze up and disconnect the drive belt for you. Violently.

 

Think of it like your engine running with no oil. Same principle. Make sure to drain some fluid from the rack before you seal it up so it's easier to turn and doesn't boil over.

 

Just take off the belt and you'll be fine without it

 

That is horrible advice. We don't need anymore half *** built cars running around, there are already thousands.

 

Hey it's better than him running with no fluid but he did say he don't care about the power steering.
Op you can take off the power steering pump and belt off if you like or fix the leak.

 

If he is running without fluid in it anyways that's already half assed. Anyways if it requires building a motor I wouldn't tell him to half *** it.

 

Its most likely leaking from one of the main hoses to the resivouir, i just had mine leaking on my civic and i just cut the hose after the cut and it still had enough hose to attach back on the resivouir port. just look for the leak and fix it! if anything it will be a cheap hose to buy and replace.

Be sure to properly bleed the fluid when you top off the PS. Turn the wheel all the way from side to side to help bleed the fluid.

 

Alright, sorry im not so smart but is this what u guys are saying? no power steering because no fluid will mess up the power steering department and engine? or just power steering stuff and not affect engine?

 

take everything off and buy a manual rack, easiest and safest way to run without powersteering it will take off some extra lbs laying around, i remember running my car with the p/s pulley laying to one side when i rushed my timing belt ran fine and gave me like 3 more mpg's

 

You have to drop the subframe to remove the rack..or finagle some other way to get the rack out. Why is that "easy"?

 

I can not stand to drive without PS on a daily thats just me! its so rediculas to not have it! especially in a tight parking space! better have pop eye four arms! I just went to the junk yard and had them instal a PS conversion on my civic DX cause they don't come with it, its such a pleasant drive now with PS just night and day difference

There saying running the PS w/o fluid will seize the unit causing the belt to violently rip off from the pulley seizing or getting stuck! it will not be good! will it destroy the engine most likely not but don't put your self in the position.

like i said its probably just a rip in the hose from being old and cracking.

 

??? I explained.

Lets keep it simple. If you're planning on letting the fluid leak out:

-Remove the belt. This is the LEAST you'll want to do.

-If you don't want to be fighting the remaining fluid as you turn the wheel, then loop the rack.

-if you want to remove the PS system completely, then do that after looping the rack.

The power steering fluid is used to lube the pump and steering rack. If you keep the power steering pump's belt hooked up...the pump will keep spinning without any fluid to lube it until it siezes up one day.

You have to disconnect the power steering pump belt at the very least, if you plan to run without fluid.

 

is the best way of making thing the easiest with out screwing your self over

 

You really want power steering to work. At low speed, it's a workout without it.

It's not that difficult to repair the leak/s, although properly replacing the metal line across the lower cross member is a bit of work, if that's where the leak is. It's worth doing correctly with a new metal line, versus cutting the line near the rack and VSS and running rubber tubing the entire length. They probably use metal line there, since ps fluid can potentially light up, when leaked on hot exhaust. Two common leak points are the rust holes in the metal cooling line in front of the radiator, and the metal line from the rack to the VSS.

I keep hosing and clamps, after the metal line in front of the rad blew a hole due to rust.. It really needs replacing, but it's pretty simple to cut the line at the leak and sleeve with pressure rated hosing. It even has a very slight leak now, which I've pretty much nailed down to underneath a factory hold down clamp at the center area of the rad, as the clamps like to hold water and cause rust.

The white plastic clips across the cross member hold water and cause the metal line from the VSS to the rack to rust pin holes. I opened up the clips, removed the line, and use the old line and fittings as a master to fabricate a new one. There's a sheetmetal cover under the rack that has to be unbolted to access the rack line fitting. The last picture shows where you'll have to pull the intake hose and reach down to unbolt the line from the VSS.