I have a '70 Elky with power steering but the steering box doesn't hold fluid (it leaks real bad)so I don't put any in anymore. Is it bad for the power steering pump to be pumping when there's no fluid going through it? If so, should I take the belt off or what? Thanks!!

If you have been running it with no fluid it is probably junk anyway, so what do you have to Lose. One thing to think about is when you go a new one they may want a rebuildable core back or they may charge extra .


------------------
team chevelle#196
69 turbocharged mouse
irving,tx

You've probably ruined your steering box too.
Time to replace that pump, they're not that expensive, but the box's are. I wonder if you could overheat the pump and start a fire too?

------------------
Nick P.
Team Chevelle Gold #36

Well, the steering gearbox itself doesn't hold fluid (bad gasket by pitman arm) so I don't bother refilling because it just makes a mess all over the driveway. The pump is always on anyway and works fine when it has fluid going through it but I'm just wondering if it's gonna burn out because it's not pumping anything.

Why not fix the seal? And then see if your pump is still OK? Anyway, used steering boxes are $35 at the local yard here, so that may be another choice. I think that the pumps are pretty tough and they need only to be "wet" with oil to survive.

Take the belt off the pump, that should take all of about 30 seconds with a razor blade.