PS delete thread - Honda Prelude Forum

wrathofshampoo · 01-05-2012, 01:13 AM

ive been doing my research before I attempt to pull the PS and "de power" my steering rack in my turbo build and I'm looking for real world advice from people who have actually done and driven with this mod, the general method to be to loop the ps lines and leave some fluid in it for lubrication

ive read some people say the ps fluid does NOT lubricate the rack, and you can just let it "run dry"... has anyone done this and havent had any problems? has anyone done this and actually had any kind of steering seizure or failure?

ive also read that simply capping the lines is bad because pressure can build up, thats why you loop the lines so that air can still flow from one side to the other. some people even claim that if you add a tee fitting with some kind of breather for air to escape that steering will be noticeably easier. for those who looped the lines, has anyone run with the lines only looped vs with a breather installed and think that the breather actually helps make steering easier? or has anyone just capped the lines off vs looping them and can say that theyve felt any difference?

i read on a miata forum people take the steering rack apart and take a metal seal out of the middle, and on civic/integras they also take a couple valves out of the steering rack which is supposed to make it easier to steer (because you arent working to "push" any air left in the system against the valve) has anyone ever tried taking the prelude power rack apart to remove any "resistence"

and lastly, for those who claim that the ps fluid lubricates the steering rack, has anyone ever tried packing it with grease? i could find anything about it on a honda forum, but some people have put wheel bearing grease in it, which is too thick and you will have to fight to get it to turn, but "moly based" grease is what is used in manual steering racks NOT wheel bearing grease, just wonder if anyone has tried greasing and capping off the rack

personally i would just remove all the lines, cap off the rack with bolts/pluds and be done with it, but im looking for evidence of a better method, what works, what people have personally had success doing, etc, thanks so much for any input or info

Rycon · 01-05-2012, 08:10 AM

My research has led me to believe this is the best method:

Acura Integra Type-R RaceCar - Tech Review - Honda Tuning Magazine

Don't just loop, don't plug and don't run dry.

wrathofshampoo · 01-05-2012, 04:06 PM

are you running this method, ie have you actually done this to your prelude and are you driving around like this?

also interested if anyone has done ps delete and swapped to the s2k steering wheel, wondering how much more of an effect you would feel with a smaller steering wheel and de powered steering combined

Rycon · 01-05-2012, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrathofshampoo

are you running this method, ie have you actually done this to your prelude and are you driving around like this?

also interested if anyone has done ps delete and swapped to the s2k steering wheel, wondering how much more of an effect you would feel with a smaller steering wheel and de powered steering combined

No and you are reading way too much into this.

minilogoguy18 · 01-05-2012, 05:47 PM

If you wanna know what it feels like just remove the belt from the pump, simple. Then you can decide if you want it or not.

Yes, a smaller steering wheel will make it harder to turn, only thing I found that makes no PC easy is low profile tires since the sidewalls can't flex as much.

I had no PS for a while due to a bad rack but I eventually put a new rack in once I got a job that gave me access to a lift since in parking lots its annoying. If the car wasn't daily driven I'd delete though, you have a more direct feel of the road.

nsbsalt · 01-06-2012, 09:45 PM

I drove a 1.5 years on similar setup until i wore down the center lump on my rack and every time I turned it jump back and forth. I do not advise doing it. The only safe way I can think of is if you some how put a bigger pulley on your powersteering pump so it didn't spin as fast.

wrathofshampoo · 01-07-2012, 06:41 AM

this is what im looking for!!! actual experience... what exactly did you do that caused the rack to fail? loop lines, loop lines w breather, plugged lines, open lines, or full system w-out belt?

also... what exactly is so different about loop lines w breather setup than just leaving the rack open (no lines)? seems to me if the rack is gonna "dry up" if you leave the lines open, why wouldnt it dry up if you loop the lines but then expose it to the open air? is it just because the fluid in the rack needs somewhere to go?

minilogoguy18 · 01-07-2012, 01:44 PM

I think it's more that the air needs somewhere to go, pressure builds up inside as you move things, with my driver seal blown out every time I tuned the wheel it sounded like a wet fart and it sucked air in when going the other way.

nsbsalt · 01-08-2012, 12:32 PM

I looped the lines at the resivor without a breather but it had the whole system still filled with fluid.

wrathofshampoo · 01-10-2012, 12:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nsbsalt

I looped the lines at the resivor without a breather but it had the whole system still filled with fluid.

did you loop the lines at the stock reservoir? did you take out the pump and everything? if you have any kind of reservoir that IS the breather, or are the lines just looped with no reservoir at all? also how did your steering feel, did you like it, or would you rather have ps even if it didnt break?

my current plan is to loop the lines and put a T fitting with a coolant bleeder valve in it (just always let open) to let any air out... then i can close it to see if theres even any difference or if people are just making it up

nsbsalt · 01-11-2012, 02:23 AM

I didn't mind the feeling of no power steering 99% of the time, it was pretty stiff in parking lots. I did notice my left shoulder/chest area seemed more toned after awhile from always driving with left hand. I removed the pump completely and took the line going into the resivor and connected it to the line that comes out of the resivor.

wrathofshampoo · 01-11-2012, 10:06 AM

gotcha so basically a ps delete just didnt feel like ripping out all of the lines that are a pain to get to, that sucks your ps crapped out i was hoping someone can chime in that has run a ps delete for a long time without any problems

zfinatic · 01-11-2012, 01:49 PM

Imo the steering column is designed for power steering. Deleting it adds stress and replacing it is a pita.

Sent from my DROID X2

nsbsalt · 01-11-2012, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zfinatic

Imo the steering column is designed for power steering. Deleting it adds stress and replacing it is a pita.

Sent from my DROID X2

Replacing it wasn't too bad, only like 6 bolts hold it in. The worst part is getting the powersteering lines in and out, luckily I did it when the engine is out of the car.

wrathofshampoo · 01-12-2012, 06:37 PM

the engine is designed for NA, adding a turbocharger adds stress and replacing it is a pita.

...but i did it anyway

zfinatic · 01-12-2012, 06:49 PM

Yeah but you can't compensate for a PS delete. Fi you can at least tune, sleeve, and strengthen rods and pistons. I drove mine home from the gas station after my PS belt shredded (forgot to put rubber grommet back on after replacing light) and it sucked lol. Function form I guess to each their own.

Sent from my DROID X2