Take the 2-minute tour ×

My truck's power steering pump is broken (leaking) so I had to drain the fluid. I was able to drive it around the parking lot, with considerable difficulty steering. I need to get the truck home, which is 25 mi away. Aside from the difficult steering, are there any other consequences to driving without power steering?

share|improve this question
Do you mean, beside any consequences of having an accident on the drive home caused by the difficult steering? –  sharky Apr 7 at 2:24
i meant, how likely i am to have an accident due to the impaired steering ? i've never done it –  amphibient Apr 7 at 3:51
How likely are you to have an accident with impaired steering? I don't think anyone can answer that for you, but I'd suggest more likely than without impaired steering which you don't have 'considerable difficulty' using. Driving a vehicle you can't properly control and putting lives at risk because you don't want to pay for towing is grossly negligent/irresponsible, please don't do it. –  sharky Apr 7 at 4:04

2 Answers 2

You can damage power steering pump when driving without having fluid in it, if it´s leaking just check it every few miles and you are ok, when there is fluid, it has to work, it´s just leaking right?

share|improve this answer

The answer to this question is NO. It is not bad. It's just harder to steer. But that's how people used to drive for many decades before the advent of power steering. Do, however, make sure that your power steering pump is mounted properly onto the engine block and the serpentine belt because the belt has to have all the pulleys mounted on and tight.

share|improve this answer

Your Answer


