Thread: Driven for months without power steering.

My 97 Grand Prix was driven for months without power steering. I purchased the car about a year and half ago for really cheap. I haven't driven it since I purchased it. I bought her for a project car or a fixer upper. Now, I'm going to start fixing her up because I finally have the time.

The gentleman I bought it from told me that he was driving it for like 6 months without power steering. WOW.....Lol! I drove her around the block today and I didn't hear nothing, it was just hard to turn when I was driving slow. Then, I added fluid and it came out very quick, by the time I made it back from around the block the second time it was empty. It was leaking on the driver side.

The gentleman also told me he changed the power steering pressure line prior to the 6 months of driving it but it didn't fix it, so I guess he just kept driving it like that.

My question is what could of possibly got damaged? Rack and pinion, gear box, power steering pump, etc.....

new rack and pump time for sure. driving on a dead rack kills it for sure, same as a dry pump, dead ville

Yea, lol that's what I was thinking.
Is it a difficult DIY job......on a scale of 1 through 10.

this was my second time. this one only took like 2 hours this time. first time was longer, not sure why lol




its drive way work. no need for a lift. im a lank and was able to reach the rack mounting bolts from the side of the car, only thing i went under the car for was to get the lines off/on.

you put the car on jack stands, take the wheels off, take the tie rod ends off the knuckle, lower the frame a bit, then remove the bolt to the steering shaft, pop shaft off the rack, then lower the frame some more, then the lines come off and the 2 mounting bolts tot the sub frame and pop it out the driver side wheel well. the p/s pump lines are clipped to the rack as well as a wire. look for that and un hook em.

if you have magnasteer dont forget to unplug that plug it back in.

some will say to take the sway bar out to ad room, but the rack bolts were clear to get to for me. so i left it in place.

Scotty, I luv the pics you post...Lol I was thinking about taking the sway bar out but if I don't need to I won't.
Do you know if there is a how to write up on this? I looked and didn't see one. I was thinking about doing one.

Also, thanks Scotty, you are a big help!

Originally Posted by Sven The Sexman

On a scale of 1-10 as DIY jobs go...I'd say a 3.

Yea...As Scotty pointed out, it doesn't look like that difficult of a job.
Thanks man!

Does the steering pump come out with the rack and pinion?

Originally Posted by Sven The Sexman

It can but it's more difficult to do it that way.

So, what do you suggest to take out first? Steering pump or rack and pinion.....

Ok....I'm going to make a note of that.
Thanks

this covers the job pretty good. but its on a lift. you do it the same but with jack stands and a floor jack to lower the sub frame.

this guy dont take the wheels off, you'll have to cause your working on the ground.

That's a good video on this subject!
Ok, I been looking around on the internet for a better deal than the parts store for a complete rack and pinion unit. I found this http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/more...103&cc=1256015
Does anyone know about this site and there parts? Is this a good product and deal?
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/x,ca...2BSupercharged

you got napa by you? search their on line store they have one on sale for 152.00 130 core, but you get that back, and its all local to you, no waiting for the mail man.

i actually bought that rack, and it didnt show up at the store, so i got one from their local re builder for 20 bucks more.

Originally Posted by Scottydoggs

i actually bought that rack, and it didnt show up at the store, so i got one from their local re builder for 20 bucks more.

What store are you talking about?

napa. know how man