No Power Steering driving, possible?

Hey Guys,

Is it safe & possible to drive with a disconnected power steering pump(GQ Patrol)?

Not that I'm going to do it, but just in case if the power steering pump poops itself in the
middle of nowhere, so I can get by to somewhere where I can source a replacement.

I'm sure the steering is even harder, but wondering whether the steering box can suffer as a result of driving without power steering.
Will it screw the steering box?
If I can drive for some distance without damaging the steering box, how far would that be?

Thanx

Not sure Dom, but I recon it would be for as short a distance as possible and as slow as possible just to get out of trouble. Just rolling mine down hill with the engine off (GU) indicates how tiring it would be over a distance, depending on the terrain and your tyres.


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If you were to do this I would unbolt the steering damper too just to make it that little bit lighter.

Armstrong steering was around a lot of years before today.
It was hard enoungh turning 5" x 14" tyres lets alone a 33" x
16 muddy, doable but bloody hard work

I think as long as there is fluid in the steering box to keep things lubricated it should be mechanically fine. The slower you go and the wider the tyre, the heavier the steering.

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Originally Posted by 4bye4

Not sure Dom, but I recon it would be for as short a distance as possible and as slow as possible just to get out of trouble. Just rolling mine down hill with the engine off (GU) indicates how tiring it would be over a distance, depending on the terrain and your tyres.


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Yeah, it's as tough as taking a crap while constipated. ;)
I was thinking only as an emergency measure. :)

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Originally Posted by mudski

If you were to do this I would unbolt the steering damper too just to make it that little bit lighter.

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Thanx mate. It's good to know that.

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Originally Posted by Turtle_au

I think as long as there is fluid in the steering box to keep things lubricated it should be mechanically fine. The slower you go and the wider the tyre, the heavier the steering.

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How do I know whether the fluid in the steering box is not low?

BTW, by fluid in the steering box, did you mean the power steering fluid or the gear oil inside it?

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Originally Posted by dom14

How do I know whether the fluid in the steering box is not low?

BTW, by fluid in the steering box, did you mean the power steering fluid or the gear oil inside it?

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I would assume the oil level in the box is ok. I meant the power steering fluid, just to keep seals etc lubed.

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Originally Posted by Turtle_au

I would assume the oil level in the box is ok. I meant the power steering fluid, just to keep seals etc lubed.

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Ok, cool.
I guess I can simply leave the plumbing to and from the pump as it is and the reservoir topped up.

I suppose no different to breaking a steering pump belt.
You can even save on gym fees with the upper body workout.

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Originally Posted by Turtle_au

I suppose no different to breaking a steering pump belt.
You can even save on gym fees with the upper body workout.

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And if I plug the brake booster, I'll get a good lower body/quad/calf workout as well. :D ;)

I once snapped a belt & had to drive home with no power steering & no vac pump, It was hard work & I was only 100 metres from home, U turn was a killer.
I don't think it would be safe to travel any distance just for control of the vehicle, the older vehicles without PS had huge steering wheels & required many turns just for normal driving.
I know that some of the Hyundai Excel boys remove their PS pumps for racing because the pump can't keep up with the rapid direction changes, they do get heavier but it is only a small car.
Graham

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Originally Posted by GeeYou8

I once snapped a belt & had to drive home with no power steering & no vac pump, It was hard work & I was only 100 metres from home, U turn was a killer.
I don't think it would be safe to travel any distance just for control of the vehicle, the older vehicles without PS had huge steering wheels & required many turns just for normal driving.
I know that some of the Hyundai Excel boys remove their PS pumps for racing because the pump can't keep up with the rapid direction changes, they do get heavier but it is only a small car.
Graham

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Stationary turning is tough without power steering, but I reckon it is manageable while moving the vehicle for a shorter distance.
Heavier GUs may be bit tougher to turn without PS.

BTW, what is the vacuum pump for? Or is it a diesel?

Because a diesel does not have manifold vacuum like a petrol engine it has a vacuum pump, sometimes on the back of the alternator, for the brake booster.
Graham

OK 98 4.5L GU.
Power Steering packed in it today about 100 K's from Home.
I drove all the way home from Walhalla . The first part of the Trip 50K or so was really Windy coming through the Hills and then Freeway home.
Some of the switchbacks made me work hard but was doable. Freeway was a breeze.
Travelled at 100 kph on Freeway.
Found turning at slow speeds bloody hard.

Was going to call in and see Roofy but wanted to get home

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Originally Posted by Bob

OK 98 4.5L GU.
Power Steering packed in it today about 100 K's from Home.
I drove all the way home from Walhalla . The first part of the Trip 50K or so was really Windy coming through the Hills and then Freeway home.
Some of the switchbacks made me work hard but was doable. Freeway was a breeze.
Travelled at 100 kph on Freeway.
Found turning at slow speeds bloody hard.

Was going to call in and see Roofy but wanted to get home

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What was the reason? Pump failure you reckon?

Yeah it looks like that

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Originally Posted by dom14

What was the reason? Pump failure you reckon?

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The Pump is seized so of to the Patrol Doctor next week

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Originally Posted by Bob

The Pump is seized so of to the Patrol Doctor next week

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Yeah, if it's seized, then no choice but a new pump.

Mine's still rebuildable.

I wonder how it managed to seize without giving you an earlier indication of possible failure.

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Originally Posted by dom14

Yeah, if it's seized, then no choice but a new pump.

Mine's still rebuildable.

I wonder how it managed to seize without giving you an earlier indication of possible failure.

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Belt was a bit Noisy and you could hear the Pump working about 30 Minutes before it Seized.
That is all
Booked in for tomorrow Changeover Pump approx. $350/$400

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Originally Posted by Bob

OK 98 4.5L GU.
Power Steering packed in it today about 100 K's from Home.
I drove all the way home from Walhalla . The first part of the Trip 50K or so was really Windy coming through the Hills and then Freeway home.
Some of the switchbacks made me work hard but was doable. Freeway was a breeze.
Travelled at 100 kph on Freeway.
Found turning at slow speeds bloody hard.

Was going to call in and see Roofy but wanted to get home

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Sorry Bob wasn't home was on the Wellington river camping

I've busted 5 power steering pumps. All bent the shaft so seized pump everytime. Most fun one was up the high Country and driving down hotham on 35's without power steering lol. About a 2 hour drive from hotham to home.

So yeah. Definitely driveable. Just a bit heavy to steer is all.