Is it OK to disconnect power steering from a '57?

[Freoway]

I've got a '57 TBird with OEM power steering. I've replaced all hoses and put a seal kit through the ram. I thought I was ok until yesterday (only its 2nd drive since rebuild), I put the car to full lock to get into a parking spot, when I heard the wooosh and spray sound of something giving way. All hoses are done up tightly - it may well be the control valve.

That aside - if I disconnect the p/s pump, will the steering still be quite manageable? i.e., more or less like any manual steering car of the era? The power 'assist' steering looks to be essentially an add on to the manual steering box. I guess I can just try, but I thought I'd ask first.

Cheers, Lloyd

[Yadkin]

In a pinch, just disconnect the belt to the power steering pump. Steering effort will suffer, but it will get you home without running a pump dry.

[Freoway]

Hi Yadkin. Thanks. I'm aware how to disconnect the pump and/or power steering. I guess I just wanted to know how heavy the steering would be. Would it be a comfortable steer without the p/s? And of course the answer to that is, "try and you'll find out". I was surprised how light the steering is without the power assist. A nicer drive. Thanks, Lloyd

[paul2748]

It will be very hard to steer. It's not just like non power steering

[Freoway]

Hi Paul. I'm not convinced as yet. I'm no strongman and it seemed quite easy to steer with the p/s disconnected. The p/s on my TBird seems like a power assist setup on a manual steering box. I may be wrong.

[Yadkin]

You know how to remove the belt from the power steering pump, big guy. You can't fool me. ;)

[fjrtony]

I'm currently considering an upgrade to my 56 power steering. Rebuilding the current is about $700 in parts and the upgrade is $1000.


Has anyone tried this?

[Yadkin]

"Original" is typically a better decision with respect to the value of the car. But it depends how much the rest of it is original.

[firstgenaddict]

It is a slave cylinder assist much like the systems on other FORD and GM cars of the era. The PS control valves usually go bad and rip the steering wheel out of your hand and going to full lock.
You still have to move the fluid around if you are not using the pump... the fact that you can easily steer it means either there is NO FLUID or the valve is not hung and the ballpivot is allowing the orifices to open and close correctly...
when the PS valve goes bad, one side stays closed and one open making the moving of fluid from the slave cyl VERY DIFFICULT.
They actually have better road feel than a power box.