AC and Power steering on FE

[JanGeo]

Well about 3 hours of moving it closer to the welder and jacking it up with 3 jacks and a turnbuckle to pull it into alignment, a small bracket of steel has been welded into place to support the front edge of the swingarm. Almost all of the bottom of the wheel well tower that the a-arm pin bolts to was rusted away. Took a bunch of photos before, during and after. The left side looks ok but we will sealing it up with cosmoline to prevent further damage. Apparently the support is hollow and fills with water and does not drain. Was really weird driving so low to the ground and the clutch was grabbing way at the bottom of the travel. No power steering felt a little weird too. Anyone know if there is a source of tower sections to replace the rusted area?

[JanGeo]

Hey anyone figure out how much power steering fluid goes into the entire system?? I am trying to find out about my xB but no one seems to know - need to spend $40 for fluid if it takes a liter but less if only half a liter is needed. Getting ready to order the SynLube this week as it is time to change the oil for the first / next to last time.

[JanGeo]

NEVER MIND! seems I can't really drain the fluid out anyway so a liter it is - turns out the container for the fluid on the pump is pretty big and the line runs are going to need draining so I have to get the Liter of the Synlube. It also is in constant circulation so using better fluid will help and it is only good for 5 years anyway.

[molecule]

if p/s removal is desired...but there is fear of lubrication...
the high pressure valve can actually be removed from the pump itself
so its just a closed loop system

there is no side effect of running your p/s without fluid (and the belt off)
if you have seen what makes p/s work it is only springs and pins...
http://www.g2ic.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88673&highlight=power+steering+re moval
however, if you remove the belt...you should also disconnect the line
so the high pressure valve is not acting on the system
if you disconnect the main line from the pump your steering is basically a manual rack at that point...

[JanGeo]

Hey I think you are totally correct - the power is applied at the shaft where it enters the rack from the steering shaft and boosts the effort. I will be keeping it connected as turning the wheel at slow speeds with a 3 turns stop to stop turning ratio and a slippery steering wheel is not going to be as easy as the Geo which I can palm. The Synlube has slippery stuff in it so it should work a lot better and reduce engine loads - not sure about higher RPM however.

[philmcneal]

another mod yet i can't do due to my lack of skills in the automotive industry ;(

although I'd keep AC though... sometimes you just need it. (like defogging windows)

[pertyfly]

Why would you need AC to defog your windows? Generally you would change the "heat setting" but don't need AC . . .

[diamondlarry]

Originally Posted by pertyfly

Why would you need AC to defog your windows? Generally you would change the "heat setting" but don't need AC . . .

That is correct, you don't NEED A/C but A/C defogs the windows twice as fast.

[philmcneal]

i rather have the ac on for 10 seconds and see than turning on the heat and waiting for 20 seconds? THat's just me unless.... AC really robs power

[SVOboy]

A/C is the biggest ladron out there. I just blast my heat.