just taking the belt off the pump will actually make it much harder to steer than had there not been a pump at all this is because you are trying to push fluid through a pump that is not moving, it's quite restrictive. i wish i could find that thread on e30tech again, the huge debate that happend about ps deletes, ill keep looking... anyway at the end it was conluded that its best to run the rack without anything, U the lines (not sure), and 1/3 fluid so there would be no pressure build up but some lubrication. someone confirm?
unrelated: hey 2002maniac is your z3 rack from a '96+ ?