lately I've been having problems with the power steering pump on my 84z28. either it squeals/leaks/throws a belt. once one of the lines broke and shot power steering fluid all over. should I just remove the power steering pump? The motor I'm putting in over winter is about 80 lbs. less and hood is about 20 lbs. less, will that help significantly with steering effort if I took off the power steering? I was thinking of just getting a smaller crank pulley, but would that make low speed steering as difficult as no power steering? Thanks for any input.

 

Don't remove your power steering if you drive on the street, camaros have a high performance ratio steering box for fast response. this equals really hard to turn w/o power steering.

 

The only way to remove the power steering is to install a manual steering box out of a S-10. It's not recommended for a street car especially if you have large wide front tires.

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87 IROC-Z SuperPro ET Bracket Race Car
461 naturally aspirated Big Block (times are for the current engine)

Best ET on a time slip: 11.447 altitude corrected to 10.99
Best MPH on a time slip: 119.42 altitude corrected to 124.86
Altitude corrected rear wheel HP: 493
Best 60 foot: 1.586

Racing at 3500 feet elevation with a typical race day over 5000 feet density altitude!
Member of the Calgary Drag Racing Association

87 IROC bracket car, 91 454SS daily driver, 95 Homebuilt Harley

 

It sounds like you've got a pulley alignment problem (unless you're revving to the moon while driving around the street...I didn't think so ).

This shouldn't be too hard to correct. Take a look at things to see where the misalignment is occurring. A straight edge will help out here. It's pretty much gotta be in the power steering pump bracket. It might be a pita, but you've gotta get those pulles lined up and square or you'll never keep a belt on there.

Clem

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Clem
SCCA TransAm Series Race Mechanic/CrewChief
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1983 Z28 with LG4, 5 speed, and (unfortunately) T-tops
1983 Z28, NO T-tops, (unfortunately) Auto Transmission (hopefully not for long)

 

now that I read your post again, it sounds like you might have some type of internal problem in your steering system. When you mention that a line broke once. This is probably just because the hose was old, but I suppose there's a possiblity, that maybe there might be a problem in the hydraulic system (notice all the hesitant remarks ). If the alignment is all right on, there might be something fubar in the hydraulics causing some kind of pressure spike that kicks a belt. Not likely though IMO.

Clem