Power steering fluid leak (1991 ST)

[Faultline_spine]

Hi everyone. I have owned my 1991 celica ST for 2 years and planned to sell it soon. Yesterday, the power steering failed. Turning the wheel caused a grating noise and soon enough the car had no power steering. No ps fluid in it's tank so I refilled it to max. After 15 minutes driving to work, fluid level was zero. Obviously it's a major leak.

After doing some reading online, it looks like it will cost over $400 to replace the power steering pump. I'm not keen to spend that kind of money and am hoping to find a way to continue to drive the car with no power steering (for about a month until I can afford a new car). I will likely end up taking it to a wreckers due to 800$ in other costs to get RWC. It's in perfect cosmetic condition w recent black paint and only 140,000 ks. Real shame.

Anyway what I need to know is, should I remove the power steering pump if I'm to continue driving the car? I don't want to cause damage to the ps rack or any other mechanical issues. I only intend to drive the car <3 km distances to work & for groceries. Anybody with mechanical know-how able to give advice? Thanks

[xzq094]

Removing power steering pump and driving without it will damage the rack, there is no way to overcome that.

Edited April 13, 2013 by xzq094

[(mr2)]

Have you had a look under the car to see where it might be leaking from, it might not be from the pump. It could be from one of the hoses or a seal in the rack itself?

[Gauntlet]

$400? I'm in the process of replacing my power steering pump. It was buggered. I got one from the wreckers including high pressure hose for $77. Unless you're adding in labor. And yes you will damage the rack. Replacing the old pump is a bitch so if you were going to take it out temporarily you may as well use that time to fit a new one :P. Also check your CV joints while you're down there.