Power steering or no power steering.... that is the question

[Widge]

Now then now then, nice to be back!!

My PS pump is up a tree.......metaphorically.
As I was going round a roundabout the power assistance stopped for 30 secs then started again It's full of fluid etc.
It's been making grinding noises since I got the car....

My questionis has anyone removed/disconnected their powersteering. I did it once when I was being towed when the front of the engine was off etc and it needed to go and have a stud removed from the head etc.. long story. At speed it felt much more solid. It's a suggested mod on BEN or some other site.

Anyway I think I'll take the belt off and try it when I service the car next week. Parking doesn't bother me cos I'm 22 and live in the country and don't mind making the effort, it'll give me bigger biceps. Anyway if I don't like it I have a spare PS pump anyway.

Would be interesting to hear any opinions, it's a 325 BTW

[Theo]

My 325 hasn't got power steering, and to be honest its a bit of a pain in the arse. I also live in the country, but when I go to town it does annoy me that I don't have PAS. May also put off a buyer when it comes to sellling it in the future.

[Widge]

Hmmm, I think I'll give it a try.
I'd just put the belt back on when it came to selling it.
Thing is I'm used to cars without power steering so I think it would be OK.

[gareth]

i wonder if the steering is heavier with the pas stuff connected? as (is assume...?) you'll be pushing the fluid back and forth as you steer...

not sure about this but i assume it's the case. if so, it'll be more sluggish when trying to steer.

[bigkev]

got poor mans steering on my alpina i nearly didnt buy it cause of that so when i did i started looking at the price of pumps and so forth but after driving it a while i started to like it so i scrapped the plans i dont know what the weight saving is but i would think it is quite considerable

[Widge]

Coupled with going for an electric fan I should think removing the pump will have fuel eonomy benifits too. Only small mind but it all adds up ove 12,000 miles. I think the effort of pushing the flud will be minimal when compared to the effort required to move the wheels without power assistance.

[zaust]

remove it.. i left the ps on when i reshelled and i will be removing it after
winter.. it sucks..

[TheDutch]

If you are going to use the PAS rack without the pump it is a very good idea to drain it of the fluid first. This does make a significant difference to the effort required, which is more than can be said for the change you'll get in fuel economy by not having the pump connected.

But if you've got a spare pump why not just change it?

N

[Widge]

... ... because of the differance in feel it made when it was disconnected and i was being towed at 50mph.

Will drain the fluid.

If I do put the pump back on how do I bleed the PAS?

[TheDutch]

I think refilling it is pretty straightforward i.e. fill it up to the mark, start car and steer from lock to lock, topping up the level as the air is bled out. Check level again after a week or so as usual.

Might like to get someone else to confirm, but I think that's roughly it.

[herman]

Used to think no PS, thought you did'nt get the right feed back with PS. I it like on some cars, but it can be very light / heavy others. Newer cars have this variable PS that changes with speed.

So it's not just yes or no it's what car has the best. My 316 it quite light, my M3 just right, makes it quicker in tight turns, but still gives good feedback.

Most rally cars have.

[Jimbob]

When I did the engine swap I forgot to take off the PS pump+bracket from my donor 325, so I had to make do without (although now I've got the replacement bit).
I much prefer it as it stops me from being lazy when parking and as you said I think I have a greater feel at anything over 20mph!
The few laps I had round Castle Combe went great without it.