3rd gen camry p.s. rack problems..

[drift_ae86_91]

My mom's p.s. system is leaking, she believes it's at the rack.. Now i know that you can run a ps rack without the pump, but is it worse to run it dry because it leaks? I'm not quite sure what the worse thing that can happen from running the rack dry.

thanks!

[zythr]

Yes. Worse thing is you have no steering at all.

[drift_ae86_91]

Ok but how? I know lots of people that run power racks without pumps to negate "power loss"..

[zythr]

Running the pump dry will damage it. Running the rack dry, would do the same thing. It's similiar to running an engine without oil or a tranny without tranny fluid. If there is damage to the rack, and you can't do the repair yourself, be prepared for a very big repair bill.

[drift_ae86_91]

Right so the internals of the rack will get all worn out.

[zythr]

Exactly

[eyeball96]

I paid $600, to replace a leaking rack on a 94 Camry I use to own.

Never thought of draining the fluid from it tho. It wouldn't be a problem if you never had to make a right or left turn.

But give it a try, and see how your Mom likes driving it!

Be sure to let us know.

Right so the internals of the rack will get all worn out.

Their already worn out thats why it's leaking.

[drift_ae86_91]

not just a seal that's making it leak?

[toyomoho]

The steering will work without the PS pump running.

I have needed to cut a PS pump belt before on cars that had PS hose or pump failure. The choice was to cut the belt or run out of PS fluid or operate a damaged pump.

I doubt if damage to the steering system will occur if you remove the belt.

If you run the pump dry you will damage the pump and most likely contaminate the system with debris from the damaged pump.

PS:

If a seal is bad typically it is still cheaper to replace the rack rather then rebuild it or replace the seal. You best route may be to get a rebuild or a used rack then swap it out for the leaking one.

[carsrus]

If your on a tight budget or not wanting to spend the cash on the car get yourself a bottle of lucas power steering fix. Comes in a white squeeze bottle. Siphon out all the fluid in the resovior and top it off with the lucas. Keep on topping off with lucas until the leak stops or you use the whole bottle.

Ive seen the stuff work if the leak isnt to bad. Its worth a try if your in no hurry to replace the rack. Running it dry will mess up work P/S system, ive seen pumps seize without fluid.

[drift_ae86_91]

Right.. ok, the leak is fackin huge.. my mom topped off the reservoir in the morning, drove around town a bit (maybe 30 minutes to an hour driving total all day) and the system was empty afterwards. :\

Is the ps belt seperate from all other accessories on the 5SFE (auto) camry?

[ghettosled]

yes, the PS pump uses its own belt. a buddy drove his camry for several months with the belt off. i couldnt see it causing any catestrophic problems to the rack as long as the pump isnt pumping.

[carsrus]

Originally Posted by drift_ae86_91

Right.. ok, the leak is fackin huge.. my mom topped off the reservoir in the morning, drove around town a bit (maybe 30 minutes to an hour driving total all day) and the system was empty afterwards. :

Is the ps belt seperate from all other accessories on the 5SFE (auto) camry?

Yeah you might as well jsut take the belt off then. Are you sure the racks leaking? Could just be a hose dripping onto the rack.

[toyomoho]

PS pump would be low on the engine and near the firewall.

Inspect the "rubber" boots at each end of the steering housing for leaking fluid. This is where the steering rods come out. This is where the fluid would be leaking if a rack seal were bad.

It is possible the PS pump or a hose is leaking, don't assume it is the rack until you inspect it.