Anyone ever disconnected their power steering?
01-10-2010, 04:43 PM
#1
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 173
Anyone ever disconnected their power steering?
I know most of you are like... What?
But I've had cars without power steering in the past and I loved them!
The feedback is immense and after a week you don't even notice it's hard to turn the wheel...
So does the belt that runs it drive anything else, or can I just remove it?
Are there any other potential issues I need to be aware of?
Thanks!
But I've had cars without power steering in the past and I loved them!
The feedback is immense and after a week you don't even notice it's hard to turn the wheel...
So does the belt that runs it drive anything else, or can I just remove it?
Are there any other potential issues I need to be aware of?
Thanks!
Last edited by ineedamaxima; 01-10-2010 at 04:44 PM. Reason: Edited for spelling
01-10-2010, 06:14 PM
#6
I have heard that running without the pump running is hard on the rack. I can't remember where i heard that but maybe with some experience can chime in.
Just something to think about
Just something to think about
01-10-2010, 09:19 PM
#8
Junior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Naples, FL
Posts: 54
Non PS cars are specifically designed to be non PS. I had a cadillac that the power steering pump Leaked fluid like crazy so I had to top it up at least once a week. First time it ran out completely I managed to break the steering column mount trying to steer it.
Wont be that bad on a max, but still wont be good.
Wont be that bad on a max, but still wont be good.
01-10-2010, 10:42 PM
#11
like asand1 says, try it with the engine turned off, you may change your mind. But the road feed back will not be any different. The old recirculating ball steering gears that used Pitman arms would give more feed back.
01-11-2010, 12:17 PM
#14
it can be done, but its alot of work. all the connections to the rack will have be "looped" and a nipple has to go somewhere on the rack so you can keep fluid in the rack. All other power steering parts will have to be removed. my maxima is the only car i ever had with power steering. had a predule, civic, and 300zx will no power steering. it takes some time getting used to, but the handling is better.
01-11-2010, 01:43 PM
#15
it can be done, but its alot of work. all the connections to the rack will have be "looped" and a nipple has to go somewhere on the rack so you can keep fluid in the rack. All other power steering parts will have to be removed. my maxima is the only car i ever had with power steering. had a predule, civic, and 300zx will no power steering. it takes some time getting used to, but the handling is better.
... or you could just remove the belt...
01-11-2010, 03:36 PM
#16
I had my power steering belt removed for a week once. It's TOUGH to drive the car. Hard steering in a parking lot is expected, so I won't comment on that. Everything would be much better if I installed a manual rack. But with a PS rack and only the belt removed, you are fighting the fluid. At WOT in 1st gear, when I would get massive torque steer, I would turn the steering wheel to correct and the car wouldn't respond until a half second later than usual. So what that means is that I'm 6 feet closer to the ditch. My car is a little faster than most Maximas, but still, the torque steer is not manageable if you have any traction problems in 1st gear. With my slicks, it's not a problem since they don't spin at all.
With the PS operating properly, in 1st gear, I am able to manage the torque steer much better and usually keep my car in my lane.
It's pretty unsafe to cruise around without the PS belt on. I wouldn't go WOT on the street unless I have PS. So, if you do decide to remove the PS belt to test things, just be safe and drive slow.
The best setup is to swap in a manual rack. But even as much of a drag racing enthusiast I am, I still love my PS too much to ever do that myself. I wouldn't consider a manual rack unless I convert my Maxima to a trailer drag car. If I did that, it would be running single digit 1/4 mile times.
With the PS operating properly, in 1st gear, I am able to manage the torque steer much better and usually keep my car in my lane.
It's pretty unsafe to cruise around without the PS belt on. I wouldn't go WOT on the street unless I have PS. So, if you do decide to remove the PS belt to test things, just be safe and drive slow.
The best setup is to swap in a manual rack. But even as much of a drag racing enthusiast I am, I still love my PS too much to ever do that myself. I wouldn't consider a manual rack unless I convert my Maxima to a trailer drag car. If I did that, it would be running single digit 1/4 mile times.
01-12-2010, 01:28 PM
#17
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 173
I had my power steering belt removed for a week once. It's TOUGH to drive the car. Hard steering in a parking lot is expected, so I won't comment on that. Everything would be much better if I installed a manual rack. But with a PS rack and only the belt removed, you are fighting the fluid. At WOT in 1st gear, when I would get massive torque steer, I would turn the steering wheel to correct and the car wouldn't respond until a half second later than usual. So what that means is that I'm 6 feet closer to the ditch. My car is a little faster than most Maximas, but still, the torque steer is not manageable if you have any traction problems in 1st gear. With my slicks, it's not a problem since they don't spin at all.
With the PS operating properly, in 1st gear, I am able to manage the torque steer much better and usually keep my car in my lane.
It's pretty unsafe to cruise around without the PS belt on. I wouldn't go WOT on the street unless I have PS. So, if you do decide to remove the PS belt to test things, just be safe and drive slow.
The best setup is to swap in a manual rack. But even as much of a drag racing enthusiast I am, I still love my PS too much to ever do that myself. I wouldn't consider a manual rack unless I convert my Maxima to a trailer drag car. If I did that, it would be running single digit 1/4 mile times.
With the PS operating properly, in 1st gear, I am able to manage the torque steer much better and usually keep my car in my lane.
It's pretty unsafe to cruise around without the PS belt on. I wouldn't go WOT on the street unless I have PS. So, if you do decide to remove the PS belt to test things, just be safe and drive slow.
The best setup is to swap in a manual rack. But even as much of a drag racing enthusiast I am, I still love my PS too much to ever do that myself. I wouldn't consider a manual rack unless I convert my Maxima to a trailer drag car. If I did that, it would be running single digit 1/4 mile times.
Obviously to do it "right" would involve a huge amount of work at just isn't gonna happen. But I am curious if there is such a thing as a non power steering rack for the max???
01-12-2010, 01:44 PM
#18
I've never heard of a manual rack made for the 4th gen Maxima. But I believe there is an org member that installed a manual rack in his 4th gen. I don't know what car the rack came out of though.
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