power steering

[Bbb]

was at the track and had some issues with the power steering pump. One of the bolts came loose and fell out. There was no tension on the belt so it was slipping. Ended up just taking the belt off and really liked the feel of it.

Is there any risk of casing damage from doing this? I did notice that there was power steering fluid coming from. Some place

Thanks for any insights.

[coolhandluke]

...I did notice that there was power steering fluid coming from some place.

This implies there is a leak, as the PS system is closed. I would take pictures of the leak and post as it could add clarity as to what is causing the leak.

was at the track and had some issues with the power steering pump. One of the bolts came loose and fell out. There was no tension on the belt so it was slipping. Ended up just taking the belt off and really liked the feel of it.

Is there any risk of casing damage from doing this?...

The fluid leak is of larger concern, as low PS fluid could damage the PS pump. Simply removing the belt will not damage the system, it merely removes hydraulic assistance provided by PS.

Depending on your year, I have a spare '00-01 PS system that is looking for a quality home.

[Bbb]

I will have a good look today and see if I can find it. It is an 01 so that might work.

Thanks

[Little_Nolan]

...I did notice that there was power steering fluid coming from some place.

This implies there is a leak, as the PS system is closed. I would take pictures of the leak and post as it could add clarity as to what is causing the leak.

was at the track and had some issues with the power steering pump. One of the bolts came loose and fell out. There was no tension on the belt so it was slipping. Ended up just taking the belt off and really liked the feel of it.

Is there any risk of casing damage from doing this?...

The fluid leak is of larger concern, as low PS fluid could damage the PS pump. Simply removing the belt will not damage the system, it merely removes hydraulic assistance provided by PS.

Depending on your year, I have a spare '00-01 PS system that is looking for a quality home.

This PS system wont work on the '97 will it? I would think that maybe everything could be swapped to 00-01?

[coolhandluke]

...I did notice that there was power steering fluid coming from some place.

This implies there is a leak, as the PS system is closed. I would take pictures of the leak and post as it could add clarity as to what is causing the leak.

was at the track and had some issues with the power steering pump. One of the bolts came loose and fell out. There was no tension on the belt so it was slipping. Ended up just taking the belt off and really liked the feel of it.

Is there any risk of casing damage from doing this?...

The fluid leak is of larger concern, as low PS fluid could damage the PS pump. Simply removing the belt will not damage the system, it merely removes hydraulic assistance provided by PS.

Depending on your year, I have a spare '00-01 PS system that is looking for a quality home.

This PS system wont work on the '97 will it? I would think that maybe everything could be swapped to 00-01?

No, the PS components are different between '97-98 & '00-01. That's why I have this one as a spare...I learned the hard way.

[Bbb]

Well, I've looked several times and can't see or find any leaks. Doesn't seem to be fluid anywhere and level is staying constant in the resivour . Thank you for going beyond my original question and for the offer of the replacement. I will keep my eye on mine. Thank you again.

[aw614]

About your PS leak, I wonder if is related to the high G's sustained and the fluid sloshing in the reservoir? For regular driving on the street, I don't experience any PS leaks, but the last two track days I did, it appeared that PS fluid seeped out of the reservoir and the area near the engine bay. In my case it the top of the reservoir had a noticeable amount of fluid on it. I was going to change cap to see if it seals it better.

[coolhandluke]

Well, I've looked several times and can't see or find any leaks. Doesn't seem to be fluid anywhere and level is staying constant in the resivour . Thank you for going beyond my original question and for the offer of the replacement. I will keep my eye on mine. Thank you again.

Circling back:

was at the track and had some issues with the power steering pump. One of the bolts came loose and fell out. There was no tension on the belt so it was slipping. Ended up just taking the belt off and really liked the feel of it...

It might be worth taking pictures of the current tensioner setup. I wonder if something failed, causing a lack of tension.

[Bbb]

Long story, had motor mounts replaced (with hardrace so watching that thread closely). After a couple of weeks started hearing strange noise when engine under load. Took it to another garage and they took the belt off the PS to check if it was the pump. Ended up the first garage didn't torque the mount on so it was rattling away. So they tightened that up but I assume didn't tighter one of the bolts on the pump back up after they put the belt back on. So, I drove to the track and the top bolt falls out and the tensioner bolt with the wing nuts strips (or breaks) and the pump eventually works itself down and the belt is loose. Drive for the day, have a blast and there is fluid on the pully when I put the belt back on. Replaced the bolt and wing nut and all seems good now.

I'm running out of reliable garages though!

[coolhandluke]

Excellent! I like easy fixes.