What happens when power steering loses pressure?

[Patrick Keenan]

I have a 1992 240 wagon. Today I noticed that steering had become rather
hard and after refilling the reservoir, realized that there appears to be a
hole in the pressure line that runs in front of the steering gear - when the
car runs, fluid sprays from it.

When all the fluid is gone, will the effect just be that there's no power,
but steering will still actually work? Can more damage be done to the car
from this?

Thanks,
Patrick Keenan

 

[James Sweet]

I have a 1992 240 wagon. Today I noticed that steering had become rather
hard and after refilling the reservoir, realized that there appears to be a
hole in the pressure line that runs in front of the steering gear - when
the car runs, fluid sprays from it.

When all the fluid is gone, will the effect just be that there's no power,
but steering will still actually work? Can more damage be done to the
car from this?

Yeah you'll ruin the pump fairly quickly. You should take the belt off until
you can get the line fixed.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Yeah you'll ruin the pump fairly quickly. You should take the belt off
until you can get the line fixed.

Thanks. I'll either do that or have it towed.

-pk