First off I am very financially challenged and will be for several months... Damn near to the point of boiling my ramen wrappers and calling it noodle flavored soup...

I am going through about a quart of power steering fluid a week...

How bad would it be for the power steering system if I just took the belt off and ran it like that? I know I would develop some arm strength but will it damage the power steering rack much?

 

Have done this on other cars when the PS was leaking and the option was to cut the belt or run out of fluid. Never had a problem.

The steering will of course be much more difficult to turn. The PS system is designed for power assist and has ratios accordingly.

Long term don't know if the system would be damaged due to lack of constant lubrication. Opinions vary on this.

 

Finally got around to looking at it... It has a hydraulic fan on it... I am thinking it may not be a good idea to run it without fluid in it... Esp since I am in Oklahoma and the temps are passing the mid 90's and soon to be in the 100's

 

The PS system uses the same fluid as the trans, Dexron II or III. Both are no longer available but something else called ATF fluid is.

Suggest for now buying the cheapest ATF fluid you can find (try Wal-Mart brand) and keep the system topped of.

This system was later changed to electric fans.

When things cool down you might look into the possibility of having the seal replaced by an hydraulic shop (if possible).

The fans come on with the AC compressor and during stop and go driving, when idling too long, etc. For normal driving at higher speeds the fans are off except for AC operation.