Steering without PS?

[Belgium R/T -68]

Is a charger driveable without the PS-belt mounted? Tried in my garden but that really sucks.

Per

[ChargerST]

Possible? Yes. Desirable? No.

By possible I'm talking about very short distances. Manual 16:1 steering is not the same as power 16:1 without power - manual would be way easier! But if you wanna grow arms like Schwarzenegger go for it

[b5blue]

It's tuff! You'll put some strain on your column if not moving and not really turn as sharp. Why no belt?  

[kcederwall08]

It is possible but i dont recommend it at all. I did it for a while when my PS pump had a leak, and I think it may have ended up killing my steering box. This may just be a coincidence, but my PS didn't work well after that.

Its actually pretty easy to drive without PS while moving, but in a parking lot it is a huge pain

[John_Kunkel]

The trick to driving P/S without the pump is to purge all of the fluid out of the steering box, if the fluid remains in the box you're trying not only to turn the car with a quicker steering ratio but also trying to push the fluid back and forth inside the box.

[Belgium R/T -68]

The reason for my question is that I have a serious leak from my "new" steeringbox, looks like my bad luck never ends.

Per

[John_Kunkel]

What is the source of the leak? If it's from the mating surface between the valve and main body it should be easy to fix.

[Belgium R/T -68]

What is the source of the leak? If it's from the mating surface between the valve and main body it should be easy to fix.

It's either from the seal at the outgoing shaft for the pitmanarm (most likely) or oil from PS-pump coming via returnhose to that place.
Very heavy leak, starts when the wheels sits in endposition since the steeringbox isn't set in it's zeroposition the box keeps "steering".
Every time I put the belt on to see where it comes from I have to turn the engine ogg because it's so heavy. Need a lift to be able to watch from under.

Per

[b5blue]

Chock the rears and jack up the front to take the load off. then check it back and forth?  Put a clean white sock around the hose to see if it's leaking?

[Belgium R/T -68]

Chock the rears and jack up the front to take the load off. then check it back and forth?  Put a clean white sock around the hose to see if it's leaking?

With the best white socks of the wife I performed the test, when I lock the steeringwheel in straight forward the box doesn't leak but when I let it's loose it starts to leak from the pitmanshaftseal maybe because the wheels just keep turning to the right.
Could put it in zero, straightposition be the solution.

Per

[b5blue]

Yes this could be..valve not "centered" proper or stuck. That bottom seal can be replaced on the car if necessary later by dropping the Pittman arm, removing and then installing a new one. 

[Belgium R/T -68]

Yes this could be..valve not "centered" proper or stuck. That bottom seal can be replaced on the car if necessary later by dropping the Pittman arm, removing and then installing a new one. 

Centered the steering but still leaking heavy from the seal, more like there is no seal. Since it's under warranty I will bring it to the shop.

Per

[b5blue]

Good to have it be warranty work! 

[68chargerboy]

i wouldnt recomend driving it without the belt on, i did that with my 66 monaco and went to pull a u-turn and POP! my rag join broke so   there i was sitting in my car with no way of being able to turn the wheels without getting out of the car and turning the wheels by hand hahaha. i dont think the chargers have rag joints tho, mines in too many pieces to look