My power steering gearbox is leaking where the shaft enters it. The pump is fine, but I can't afford to replace or even rebuild the gearbox right now. Is it ok to drive it with the PS belt off, without damaging the gearbox? Where does the gearbox get it's lubrication from?
Oh, and yes I did a search, but couldn't find anything about whether it can cause damage or not.

 

Yes, you can remove it without worry. I have done this many times on many different vehicles for a lot of miles. The only drawback is going to be how hard it is to actually turn the wheel. You'll see.

(Make sure that belt doesn't go from the crank to any other accessory, but I am pretty sure it doesn't).

 

I think the PS belt only goes to an idler pulley other than the pump itself. It's the fan belt that goes to the alternator and water pump.

Have fun with your "armstrong" steering. I think you will want to get that fixed as soon as you can.

 

Will it be any harder to turn than manual steering? My brothers' 4Runner isn't too hard to steer and it's manual. If so, can a manual steering box be mounted in place of the power unit? Just tossing ideas around.

 

Yes, it will be harder. Vehicles equipped with manual steering from the factory run different ratio boxes to make it easier on the driver. At least that's how it is on most vehicles.

 

it will be hard as hell to turn.... when my power steering pump was going out the truck was hard as hell to turn... far harder to turn than my dads 51 manuel steer powerwagon.

 

It will be harder to turn because the ratio is different and also because you are overcoming more valves and other stuff not present in a manual steering setup.

 

Ive had my truck run outa gas before at about 45 mph. Going straight wasnt hard, but trying to turn was almost impossible. Also i had to use both my feet on the brake pedel to come to a stop.

 

I threw my belt on the way to work one morning right as I was entering a twisty road. Lots of fun. My only concern would be all the extra effort you have to put on the steering column to turn the vehicle. May cause some premature wear.

 

Ya stopping is a biitch and turning is even harder...you gotta pretty much brace yourself with both feet and lean into it, or step on the brake pedal with 2 feet and push against your seatback

 

Dont let these guys BS you man, no power steering no problem! i havnt had power steering for 40k miles...and ive got 33x12.5 at first its a little hard when your not moving...but when your moving 5mph+ its almost as easy as it is with power steering! Besides..after a couple thousand miles of no power steering, think about how big the musles in your arms will be!


The only wear that you get from not having power steering is the steering stabilizer. it wears out A LOT faster. And once its worn out...you will feel ruts in the road, and in the dirt A LOT more. so dont keep your hands inside the wheel when hitting a rut...i spranged my wrist that way just last month cause i had my hand inside the wheel when it jerked real hard to the left.

 

Well, we know who the body builder in the group is... haha

I lost power in my 96 F250 running 35x12.5 tires. Its not that much fun to stop or steer... I was putting everything I had into it to get it stopped. But hey, it can be done, I'd be ok without power steering, but brakes are a must! Heck, maybe im jsut a

 

hahahaha no PS is not a big deal on a small truck like a 4runner!

Now try driving an 8,000lb diesel dually equipped with power steering and power brakes pulling a 3,500lb trailer and have the engine die on you at 45mph. You will be doing leg presses on the brakes to stop it! And steering it? ROFLMAO - GOOD LUCK!

Seriously steering a 4runner without PS isn't a biggie compared to some other vehicles. Even a F150 that lost PS would be worse.

 

Thanks for all the responses! I have had the engine die on a few different vehicles, including a 2000 gallon water delivery truck. I do remember how hard it was to turn (and stop), I was just wondering how much harder it would be without working against the belt. I'll pull the belt off this weekend and give it a try, just to see for myself. And I'll buy a new stabilizer when I do get the gearbox fixed.

Oh, I didn't see anyone mention whether it could be swapped out for a manual box. Can it be done, and what else would need to be changed? Thanks again.

 

It probably can because people have switched their manual steering over to power steering without too much hassle.

Pricewise ... a wrecking yard might be your best bet, but it won't be cheap.

 

Thanks Glenn. My local wrecking yard is Pick-N-Pull Auto Parts & Recycling Center, located in "Auburn", NY You have to pull the parts yourself, but a steering gear is only $25 and a column is only $25. The highest price for anything there is $125 and that's for an engine. They only get $100 for a truck cab. that is if you can find one that's not wrecked to some degree.

 

Go for it then. When I had my old truck with manual steering, it had some slop. The mechanic quoted me something like $400 for the box. That was what I was going by. It doesn't sound too bad from the prices at that place.

 

mine blew the sector shaft seal 2 years ago. once the fluid bleeds out(it'll start moaning) it won't be too hard to steer. it'll be quirky if there's some fluid in there, it'll be easy somtimes but there'll be hard spots.

i'm replacing mine with an IFS box soon...