Is it possible to delete the power steering in a 3.0L Alpha One Gen II?

[frostystorm]

It's a 3.0L TKS from 2009, it's a gen 2 alpha one. It doesn't need power steering at all in my opinion, and I know that it doesn't because my power steering system leaks a quart of fluid an hour, so most of the time it gets used without power steering apparently.

Is it safe to run the power steering ram with the belt off the power steering pump?

Further is there a non power steering cable only ram that I can use in it's place?

If I am in for a new Ram, and power steering lines, I would rather just switch to unassisted hydraulic steering and just get the "difficulty" of turning the wheel moved into more than one and a half turns lock to lock anyways, does anyone have any experience with this type of conversion.

 

[Scott06]

It's a 3.0L TKS from 2009, it's a gen 2 alpha one. It doesn't need power steering at all in my opinion, and I know that it doesn't because my power steering system leaks a quart of fluid an hour, so most of the time it gets used without power steering apparently.

Is it safe to run the power steering ram with the belt off the power steering pump?

Further is there a non power steering cable only ram that I can use in it's place?

If I am in for a new Ram, and power steering lines, I would rather just switch to unassisted hydraulic steering and just get the "difficulty" of turning the wheel moved into more than one and a half turns lock to lock anyways, does anyone have any experience with this type of conversion.

Take the belt off the pump and disconnect the steering cylinder from the steering arm. see how it works

I have also had good luck with Lucas PS stop leak in an older vehicle. drastically cut my leaking down for a few years. Not a true fix by any stretch but helped for sure

 

[frostystorm]

Take the belt off the pump and disconnect the steering cylinder from the steering arm. see how it works

I have also had good luck with Lucas PS stop leak in an older vehicle. drastically cut my leaking down for a few years. Not a true fix by any stretch but helped for sure

Yeah my thinking was to just remove the belt, disconnecting the cylinder from the arm may help as well, I just don't want to completely knacker the steering actuator running it without power steering fluid in it, to avoid corrosion etc.

My options are to yank it out and try to have a hydraulic shop rebuild it, which is why i'd like to avoid damaging it further. or buy used at $600 or new at $1500.... which is a disgusting amount of money to pay for a power steering cylinder, when I could go unassisted hydraulic with autopilot for $1000.... because I am only going to get a few more seasons out of the OEM cable in my 2009 boat hah.

 

[Scott06]

Yeah my thinking was to just remove the belt, disconnecting the cylinder from the arm may help as well, I just don't want to completely knacker the steering actuator running it without power steering fluid in it, to avoid corrosion etc.

My options are to yank it out and try to have a hydraulic shop rebuild it, which is why i'd like to avoid damaging it further. or buy used at $600 or new at $1500.... which is a disgusting amount of money to pay for a power steering cylinder, when I could go unassisted hydraulic with autopilot for $1000.... because I am only going to get a few more seasons out of the OEM cable in my 2009 boat hah.

Unless you are in salt or very corrosive environment your steering cable will probably last longer. My boat is a 2004 still steers fine. My previous boat was 25 years old and worked fine.

 

[dubs283]

Have you inspected the power steering system to know where it leaks?

Often times the connections on the low-pressure line at the cooler can leak. Easy fix to remove the line, cut off the failed end and reinstall

 

[Scott Danforth]

Agree with above. Find the leak. If it's not leaking into the bilge, it's the $50 cooler

If it's leaking into the bilge, it cold be the $4/ft return hose