AC & Power Steering delete questions...

**wannaBm3** · 04-08-2006, 12:17 AM

My ac does not blow cold, and my power steering is lound and getting worse. I would rather use a shorter belt and free up some power, then spend money to fix these luxurys.

I noticed the AC belt is seperate, and can be removed, simple as that right?

The power steering belt is shared with the water pump and alternator, what size belt is needed, and do I have to mod the tensioner or anything?

I did a few searches and found nothing, and help would be nice.

one more questions is the air pipe comming from the fan shroud to the alternator, what the heck is this? mine is falling apart, and taking up alot of space..

**tomt30273** · 04-08-2006, 02:12 AM

The AC belt can be removed with no problems. Before you remove the power steering pump, sit in the car with the engine not running. Now try to turn the steering wheel. That is how hard it will be with no pump. Sure you want to remove it? The pipe is used to bring in air to cool the alternator, may or may not hurt to remove it.

**Spood** · 04-08-2006, 02:59 AM

Once the car is moving, you probably wouldn't even notice the lack of PS. That said, it's not meant to work that way, so I dunno if you wanna try and convert it. It would be nice if they made E36s without PS, or at least if there was a rack that would swap right in. If you pull the AC belt and never plan to use the AC again...you can always pull it out and save a few pounds while decluttering your engine bay.

**Furious** · 04-08-2006, 04:35 AM

Originally Posted by Spood

Once the car is moving, you probably wouldn't even notice the lack of PS. That said, it's not meant to work that way, so I dunno if you wanna try and convert it. It would be nice if they made E36s without PS, or at least if there was a rack that would swap right in. If you pull the AC belt and never plan to use the AC again...you can always pull it out and save a few pounds while decluttering your engine bay.

agreed, if you have ever driven a car without power steering you know what its like to drive... as spood mentioned the car was never intended not to have P/S. and im not sure what/if the penalties would be. ive deleted my A/C minus the auxilury fan, its a simple as removing the belt.

**Goon** · 04-08-2006, 06:39 AM

Get to a roll, kill the engine, and see how hard it is to steer.

**tomt30273** · 04-08-2006, 03:16 PM

Originally Posted by Goon

Get to a roll, kill the engine, and see how hard it is to steer.

If you turn the engine off while running the steering wheel may lock. Not a good thing to happen. It will be much harder to steer, even with the car moving. You need to get it fixed.

**flipflap** · 04-08-2006, 03:25 PM

Originally Posted by tomt30273

If you turn the engine off while running the steering wheel may lock. Not a good thing to happen. It will be much harder to steer, even with the car moving. You need to get it fixed.

you only kill the ignition, (one click) not all the way so you activate the steering wheel lock....

**motoracr22** · 04-08-2006, 03:33 PM

Cars without P/S are engineered with less caster. Our cars have quite a bit of positive caster for high speed stability, as well as handling, road feel etc., P/S compensates for the extra steering effort caused by positive caster, so in short, it's gonna be quite a bit harder to steer, try it out, remember you'll lose power brake assist after a few presses if you kill the engine while you're moving.

**wannaBm3** · 04-08-2006, 08:28 PM

wow, thanks for all the input guys! I have deleted power steering on many of my cars, its hardest to steer while the car is not moving, but when the tires are rolling its a little better. My 93 cobra has had a power steer rack with no pump for a number of years. Has anyone done this? what lenght belt do I need?

Originally Posted by motoracr22

Cars without P/S are engineered with less caster. Our cars have quite a bit of positive caster for high speed stability, as well as handling, road feel etc., P/S compensates for the extra steering effort caused by positive caster, so in short, it's gonna be quite a bit harder to steer, try it out, remember you'll lose power brake assist after a few presses if you kill the engine while you're moving.

the brake assist is run off manifold vacume correct? Im not going to loos any brake assist with the PS bypassed? I know this happenes on 98 cobras ( my room mates car)