Will it be safe to drive my TII around w/o the power steering belt connected? Let me elaborate, will there be any damaging effect towards the power steering pump or any related components? And... If I wished to drive w/o the belt permanently, is there anything I should remove as well. Reason is, My belt ripped apart, therefore, I was sriving around w/o the belt. It didn't feel hard to steer either, so I was curious as to my question stated above.

 

Nope, we run cars without ANY belts at all at the shop all the time... only for SHORT times being that the waterpump isnt turning either.

no damage what so ever will result. Just wont have A/C or P/S... thats it.

 

That's funny, you should have a hydraulic lock in the system without the belt, which makes it very hard to steer. This can be remedied by allowing fluid flow in both directions from the rack itself (by removing the pump from the system, or by removing the hoses to the pump)...I've been running with a "manual" power rack for some time, and enjoy it, but I removed ALL of the fluid and hoses from the system, and packed the servo valve with bearing grease, and the rack with graphite-based lubricant, after removing the internal seals from the servo valve. Only word of caution I can give you is that without fluid flow over a couple of bearings in the servo valve (the "gearbox" on the top of the rack), a certain needle bearing may start to seize up the rack by falling apart...So if you start "hanging up" during steering, this will need to be addressed...

 

Wayne, how much of a difference would you sat that makes as far as parking lot steering. I know it sure as hell is pretty hard to steer a 90 crown vic with no P/S in a tight parking lot

 

I did the same thing as Wayne, and the only time it's semi difficult is if you're turning the wheel from a complete stop.. Once you get slightly moving it's alot easier, and feels ALOT better when driving at speed.

 

Man, it's funny, I went from the power steering with the "dampening" effects that provides, to totally free-wheeling steering response. I can jack the front of the car and turn the wheels with ease with just my hands on the tires, lol. Just gotta keep your hands on the wheel while driving, because any big rock or bump is gonna try to throw the wheel out of your hands. But the "road" feel is awesome...