PAS - Will I damage anything?

[MereKat]

My PAS pump is shot! Got a replacement butt cant fit it for a while

I've taken the belt off to help with fluid loss, but...will the rack sustain damage without the pretty noisy, leaky, almost dysfunctional pump connected? The cars fine to drive without it, just fairly heavy!

Will draining all the fluid be beneficial or cause damage?

Also, is it a big job to fit a non pas rack? Quite like the heavier steering! :-/

[Wayne]

Yes if the rack is left to run low on or no fluid it will not last.

[notenoughtime]

I would recommend changing it asap but normally the pump is what you don`t want to let run dry as it will run hot and possibly (will) sieze in no time. the rack should be ok.

couple Hours work to change max i`d say

[danny_p]

rack will be fine as long as there is oil in it,

unfortunatly the pump may have allready killed the rack if it's eaten itself and filled the oil with metalic particles  the rack and new pump may not last long

[MereKat]

Cheers guys.  The old pump was extremely loud (louder than the engine!) So not sure how far gone it is.  The replacement is a used item anyway,  so if its no different it wouldn't have really cost me anything!

Not put the replacement pump on yet,  need to get some new fluid as i think the  current fluid is a mix of 2 different types :-/ going to have to wait for payday unfortunately!

Its only parking that's a slight issue due to the hard steering but apart from that,  driving the car is actually fairly enjoyable! If the replacement pump is also bad,  or the rack is damaged, I may replace it with a non pas rack anyway...quite liking the heavier steering,  feels more like 'I'm at one with the car',  if you know what I mean!

[danny_p]

flush the system after fitting the replacement pump them

[gazareth]

Cheers guys.  The old pump was extremely loud (louder than the engine!) So not sure how far gone it is.  The replacement is a used item anyway,  so if its no different it wouldn't have really cost me anything!

Not put the replacement pump on yet,  need to get some new fluid as i think the  current fluid is a mix of 2 different types :-/ going to have to wait for payday unfortunately!

Its only parking that's a slight issue due to the hard steering but apart from that,  driving the car is actually fairly enjoyable! If the replacement pump is also bad,  or the rack is damaged, I may replace it with a non pas rack anyway...quite liking the heavier steering,  feels more like 'I'm at one with the car',  if you know what I mean!

no steering belts or oil leaks to worry about. and less drag on engine. as far as I can see there is no reason to not convert to manual steering. power steering is only for the weak

[Gti_Jamo]

Cheers guys.  The old pump was extremely loud (louder than the engine!) So not sure how far gone it is.  The replacement is a used item anyway,  so if its no different it wouldn't have really cost me anything!

Not put the replacement pump on yet,  need to get some new fluid as i think the  current fluid is a mix of 2 different types :-/ going to have to wait for payday unfortunately!

Its only parking that's a slight issue due to the hard steering but apart from that,  driving the car is actually fairly enjoyable! If the replacement pump is also bad,  or the rack is damaged, I may replace it with a non pas rack anyway...quite liking the heavier steering,  feels more like 'I'm at one with the car',  if you know what I mean!

no steering belts or oil leaks to worry about. and less drag on engine. as far as I can see there is no reason to not convert to manual steering. power steering is only for the weak

I've done that to a mk3 cavvy redtop before. Made it so much nicer to drive and as for parking, aslong as you kept it rolling slightly is was fine.

[MereKat]

Cheers guys.  The old pump was extremely loud (louder than the engine!) So not sure how far gone it is.  The replacement is a used item anyway,  so if its no different it wouldn't have really cost me anything!

Not put the replacement pump on yet,  need to get some new fluid as i think the  current fluid is a mix of 2 different types :-/ going to have to wait for payday unfortunately!

Its only parking that's a slight issue due to the hard steering but apart from that,  driving the car is actually fairly enjoyable! If the replacement pump is also bad,  or the rack is damaged, I may replace it with a non pas rack anyway...quite liking the heavier steering,  feels more like 'I'm at one with the car',  if you know what I mean!

no steering belts or oil leaks to worry about. and less drag on engine. as far as I can see there is no reason to not convert to manual steering. power steering is only for the weak

I've done that to a mk3 cavvy redtop before. Made it so much nicer to drive and as for parking, aslong as you kept it rolling slightly is was fine.

Well, with the belt removed it seems a little more steady on idle, and also a little more responsive (Although im sure it's just because i want to believe that!)

I think non-pas is the way forward really...im sure a decent second hand rack etc could be had for similar money as new flush/fluid and belt would cost me...

[GTi_James]

is there a write up on how to fix the PAS as i am getting some issues with my steering as well. theres judder on the wheel when i hit 80mph and on some corners it feels heavier than others