For now the power steering pump is going to be left in, for now.

So how do I plug it all, do I let the pump run completely dry ? Or do I plug all inlets/outlets all lines etc, and if so, how ?

 

What did you do, just disconnect the belt? I can't imagine you'll enjoy driving it like that. A power steering box is geared differently from a manual box, so if you want to go manual, you really need a manual box. My advice is to keep your power steering hooked up (with fluid) until you get all the stuff to put in a manual box (see links below). Then just pull out all the power steering stuff, and in goes the manual crap. Mine was pretty easy, IIRC, but that was about five years ago.

First thread is about parts you need and where to get them; second one is people's opinions on and experiences with manual boxes.

Info

More info

 

I capped mine off for 3 years and it wasn't that bad to drive. As long as you have any strength you'll be ok. I didn't think you'll have an issue at all.

 

Running without hydraulic pressure doesn't make a power steering box a manual. The gearing inside the box is designed for power assist. A manual box has more torque multiplication to assist in steering.

Why do you need manual steering? For a race car, it's mainly a weight saving issue and cleans up the engine compartment. For a street car or some form of racing where you do a lot of turns such as autocrossing, power steering is far superior. You don't lose very much HP from the hydraulic pump. Maybe a couple of HP at the most.

If you need manual steering, install a 84+ S10 manual box and get rid of everything related to the power steering system.

 

I need to clarify a few things here.

I intend to put in a manual steering box, from an '89 S10, however I didn't feel like rerouting my serpentine belt right now, so that's what my question was about.

Regarding why ? To remove a little bit of weight, get rid of any issues with the power steering, unclutter the engine compartment, and also... I learned to drive in cars with manual steering, so I'm used to it, sure it sucks bad when the car isn't moving at any speed what so ever, but after that, no problem.


Almost forgot, just where on the steering box can I find the part number ? The S10 was in a mess, so I could only get to the number underneath, and it said 02089.

 

One more question:


In order to remove the steering box:

1) Remove the bolts (in this case 3 of them)
2) Remove the pitman arm

and then.. the box should just slide out ? I don't need to remove anything on the steering coupling ... like the rag joint.. anything ? The shaft on the box should just slide out, correct ?

If so I need to go back with a pry bar and/or a big rubber mallet, the steering box already broke a pitman arm puller today (I didn't have my big tool box with me)

 

You also need to unbolt the shaft cross pin with an 11mm socket on the stering box side.

As for the pumps, I would run connect the out line to the in line and put some fluid in the pump.

 

Why do some of the most simple solutions just sound ingenious ? *L* That's it, outline to inline *L*. OK didn't know about the 11mm one, thanks.


Problem is by the time I get back there that box may be gone, since