I finally got around to taking off my power steering pump the other day and now my car is pulling to the left. I have to keep my steering wheel at about 12:30 - 1:00 to go in a straight line.
I did hit a curb on the left wheel two days before cause of ice. but I dodn't notice anything untill I took off the pump. was the pump hiding the problem. or is it something else. I also noticed that the steering is touchy as hell on the highway now and a bitch to turn at low speeds.
What do you guys think? align? I hate that. some greasy mechanic that didn't graduate high school and only drives chevy has to touch my car.

 

im thinking the alignment

 

Definately the alignment. Pulling the pump wouldnt make the car pull. You did equalize the pressure before you capped off the lines, right?

 

well...
I acually haven't capped the lines yet...
I ahven't done this before with out eh manual rack. so I am little usure if I need to do something special to do that. also. what is best to cap the lines?

 

get a very short bolt, put gasket maker on the threads, and screw it in place of the screw-in tube ends. The only ones you need to do that to are the 2 that go between the steering box and the p/s pump. The small lines that go to the middle of the rack can be left alone.

 

thanks,
what about equalizing the pressure. I was aware I needed to do this
I was accually thinking of taking the thing apart and taking out all the p/s stuff inside. is this possible? I really don't like how stiff the steering is. I had to turn my passenger side strut back around to make it more comfortable.

 

Sounds like time to hit the weights..... j/k Im suprised you dont like the steering feel. Mine is awesome without the pump. Just heavy enough to make it very nice to drive, awesome road feel, and it still isnt a problem in parking lots.

As long as you have been driving for a little while without the pump being operational, there is no need to equalize the pressure. Driving without the pump for a few days equalizes the pressure by itself. No need to pull the p/s stuff from inside the rack. It wont accompkish anything, and probably mess something up instead.

 

Mzspd7 is right... I bitch at first but now i dont even notice the turning. Even in parking lots. I would not want to put it back on but I did like the feel of power steering and want to feel it again because whenever im in my friends miata im like.. Holy **** my car used to feel like this... But all well. Id rather have it off. Just a trade off.

 

I dont like the steering feel of anything other than my car. The steering my moms Saturn feels overboosted, and my dads truck is 10 times worse. I like the weighted and solid feel of my steering over power steering any day.

 

would the steering be heavier if I had a leak in my p/s rack? my p/s has never worked, and the shop told me it was a leak in the rack. if I replaced the rack, theoretically, would it be a bit lighter without the pump? its not really bad right now, but I want it a little bit lighter.