If take my power steering resevoir/pump, what do i do with the actual steering box? put some gear oil in and plug the two holes, or what?

 

Spin the steering wheel back and forth a few times to clear the pistons out, then connect the two lines together.

I've been driving sans P/S for about a month now. The pump died, was making HORRIFIC noises, so I just took the belt off. Am looking for a new pump, or a suitable fangle to return me to assistedness. That, or a closer steering wheel, so I don't have to straight-arm it.

 

So, do i need to get ALL the fluid out, and leave it dry? Or, hell, anyone have a manual box they want to trade me?

 

i will
trade u

 

Don't trade for a manual box, the power boxes have a closer ratio (turn to turn). At least my se with PS has a closer ratio than my friends non-PS se. I think all are the same.

 

i took off my PS belt and it isn't that bad with the PS rack. when i yank the PS components, i'm not gonna worry about the rack.

 

Don't get ALL the fluid out. The P/S boxes use the power steering fluid as lube. However, you want to spin the wheel lock to lock several times to clear the fluid out of the power assist pistons so that you're not fighting the box's internals trying to turn.

That's also why you want to connect the two hoses together instead of just capping them off - so if there IS still some fluid in the pistons, it has some place to go.