VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION New User Forum 62 chevy impala

Can I remove the power steering from my '62 chevy impala by simply removing the hoses?

I am not really sure what you mean by "remove" Are looking to disconect it from use? Or remove it for rebuild?
John

I want to take the power off my car and drive it as a manuel steering

The power steering can be removed but the drag link (relay rod) from a non-power steering car must be installed. This is because the power steering drag link also contains the power steering controll valve body. The valve body must receive pump pressure or the steering will have excessive play.
If the car was factory equipped with P/S the steering will require more effort for parking than a car not factory equipped with P/S. This is due to the fact the the P/s cars had a slightly faster steering ratio.(fewer turns from lock to lock). = less leverage.

Thank you, that is the information I needed.

In addition to Gene's posting I would acquire the complete linkage from the last coupling into steer box to the arm that bolts onto the road wheel spindle.
A lot of vehicles have different length arms to assist where there is no power assist.
Tony

You will want to find a manual steering box, and replace the center link with a manual one. It will be a bear to steer at slow speeds with the PS box with out the assist hooked up. You have to remember that you are moving all of that hardware when you are turning. There is a value to all of those parts too much to have laying under the car not being used.
It will work, but not really a pleasure to drive, and something you would not want to do long term

John

If the drag link is replaced with one from a manual steering car all the PS parts will be eleminated(as far as steering linkge is concerned). Replacing the drag link will eleminate the ram. The 1958-64 PS uses the same idler arm, pitman arm, etc unlike 1955-57 models.
The PS gear is the same gear used for all 1958 cars. Owners complained about the excessive steering effort with manual steering so in 1959 the ratio was changed for non PS cars.
In the '60's Chevrolet sold a kit for installing PS on non-PS cars. The only problem is that they retained the lower gear steering gear and it required 5 turns from lock to lock which very slow steering for a PS car. I had a 1964 demo with that set-up.