How long have you been running without power steering?

[bmwman91]

Just wondering.  It seems like the additional stress on the rack & pinion gears would kill the PS racks fast, but I hear it is a myth.  Why do I ask...?

I got out of my car this afternoon to meet my GF for an early dinner.  The smell of ATF was strong.  I looked down and saw a big *splat* of ATF and a trail leading under the front of the car.  Something blew as I was pulling in.  Well hell, may as well go enjoy dinner & deal with it after.

So I come out and decide I better just remove the belt so I don't burn up the pump.  After failing to get the adjustment nut loose with the emergency-kit wrench, I regulated on the belt with some wire dykes.

I will get under there and inspect the damage one of these days.  I actually enjoy the feel of the steering above 30mph with no assist.  Making U-turns and parallel parking suck hard though.

Anyway, do I need to worry about killing my rack like this?  I will try to at least cap it off so some fluid stays in and dirt out.  Thanks!

[ose30]

How long have you been running without power steering?

Always. My car does not have PS

[tjts1]

Been driving without PS for 2 months. Love it even at low speeds. It feels like a proper car.

[Vladi]

As long as the system isn't completely out of fluid there's no problem. Remember the rack gears need to be lubricated too.
I had the same problem a year ago. Actually i was at the sea side (300km from home) and my PS pump pulley broke out of the pump and lost it on the road.

[nickmpower]

the rack and pinion are not lubricated by the power steering fluid

[ecpreston]

3+ years on my '85 318 (sold it recently), now maybe 4 months on my 91. Why would there be additional stress on the rack and pinion? The same work is done at that point to turn the wheels. The only "additional stress" is the extra muscle provided by the driver.  

[bmwman91]

I guess that is where I need some help understanding...

Does the power assist provide the "push" before the pinion gear, or (as I always thought) on pistons parallel to the rack?  If it is somehow before the pinion gear providing torsional force, then OK no worries here.  If it is providing axial force on the rack, then there IS a lot of additional stress on the gear teeth without it.

[e30s4evr]

Three months ago I threw some belts and continued to drive for 4 miles without realizing that I had no PS!! Only when I was turning on to the driveway did I realize that I had lost my PS belt. So, if and when my pump fails, I'll have one less fluid to change!

Incidentally I also drove with no alternator and water pump for those 4 miles! All my gauges died and all warning lights came on and since I was carrying live fish and live coral I decided to just drive home thinking it was just an electrical problem. When I got home the radiator was completely dry... no steam, nothing... Weeks after that my compression was 175psi on all cylinders and leakdown was 2-4% across the board. So my head may be okay... Had this happened in my M3, I'm sure I'd be doing a 5 lug conversion on my 318 right about now! I love the m42! ...just wish it was a 2.1 with 17obhp or something like that... time to wake up!

[Vladi]

the rack and pinion are not lubricated by the power steering fluid

Well then if they aren't lubricated by the power steering fluid how come when the rack takes a piss all the fuild comes out from the rubber boots?

[sheepdog]

The rack is lubed by the fluid, but, not having a pump will not create additional wear in the rack. If there is a rag joint, that is where you will see wear, but it will likely take years and years and years to see it.

I ran well over a year without it. I just pulled the belt. I gave the pump a spin or 2 every few months or so by hand, and added a few ounces of fluid every now and then to keep it all wet. When I replaced the rack, I filled up the pump, put on a belt and it all works fine to this day.

Oh, did I mention I used to rebuild racks, boxes and pumps.
You will not hurt it as long as there is enough fluid around to keep the seals wet/lubricated and the rust out.

[christophbmw]

3+ years on my '85 318 (sold it recently), now maybe 4 months on my 91. Why would there be additional stress on the rack and pinion? The same work is done at that point to turn the wheels. The only "additional stress" is the extra muscle provided by the driver.  

i think he meant there would be no lubrication for the seals, therefore drying them out causing it harder to turn.

but ya i was about 18 months on my '85 to. bought a rack, p/s belt, installed it and it all worked fine.

[badboypolar]

I've been running it for two months now. I made a loop between both sides and a 10" piece of stainless steel hose. That way when the steering rack turns it can push the fluid either way and helps keep the steering a little easier then not being able to move the fluid or having to push it past the pump which is not moving. That advice came from a BMW tech.

[sheepdog]

I've been running it for two months now. I made a loop between both sides and a 10" piece of stainless steel hose. That way when the steering rack turns it can push the fluid either way and helps keep the steering a little easier then not being able to move the fluid or having to push it past the pump which is not moving. That advice came from a BMW tech.

That is the best way.

[badboypolar]

Incase anyone wonders, you need one M14 and one M16 thread size for the steering rack.

[Bill-B]

So am I ok just to pull the belt off?  I have been wanting to do this for a while now. Or do I have to do other things?