1997 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY
224,000 MILES
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can you disable power steering? have gushing leak from steering gear
Mar 27, 2013 at 4:11 AM
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CARADIODOC
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Very impractical. You would have to remove the serpentine belt and that runs other stuff. For sure you will disable the alternator so the battery will run dead in about a half hour. On some engines the water pump is run by that belt and the engine would overheat in a few minutes.

If you drive it as is, the power steering pump will overheat and be permanently damaged from prolonged lack of fluid to lubricate it. It's very rare for a rack and pinion assembly to leak real fast. I would first suspect a popped high-pressure hose at the crimp or it has a split along part of it, or the return hose pushed off due to a spring clamp rusting off. Those are not serious repairs although access is difficult when it's not up on a hoist.
Mar 27, 2013 at 7:37 AM
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