Re: Power steering.

cuhulin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
 wrote:
>  Could it have resulted in any damage to the power
> steering unit/parts in my van if I continued to drive long enough
> without a power steering belt?
> cuhulin    
> 


I started to fire off an "absolutely not," but the better answer is 
"almost certainly not."

Dodge vans of that vintage used a GM Saginaw steering box, not the 
Chrysler-built box that was used in passenger cars so I'm not really 
familiar with the details of it. But in general, there are reaction 
springs that compress slightly as you turn the wheel in order to 
activate the valves that direct fluid to assist you in steering the car. 
Driving for a REAL long time without power assist could conceivably 
pound the reaction springs out of spec since they don't normally get 
100% compressed, but  DO get compressed to the stops when you steer 
without assist.

Also, there are usually flexible couplers ("rag joints") or other joints 
in the steering column that normally only see a light steering force, 
which see a very large force when you have to steer without power 
assist. Those could conceivably break or wear out faster.

But in general- nah, no problem.