Originally Posted by REbornHONDAneer

I have a 93 Civic EX. If of course have PS(power steering). My power steering has been leaking for quite some time now and I have always kept the level high enough. I think the actual PS Fluid Reservoir is leaking because there is wet grime under that area. Anyway....

More to the story. I did notice after I bought the car that one of the hoses that go to the left and the right boots on the PS Rod(what is the technical name for this part?)was directly disconnected from the actual boot. I know this wasn't good because the OTHER boot had the same duplicate hose attached. This is also another possible PS Fluid leak area, not sure though.

More...About two weeks ago when I change the oil on her(170k miles btw and running great), I saw that the boot on the passenger side(the same side with the original disconnected hose)had come loose from it's outer connection. You know how boots have two connections to hold the fluid or grease in? One of the sides got disconnected(which happens to be the outer one).

Questions...How urgent is it that I need to get the entire PS system looked at? Are PS rods(again, I don't know the term for this)come remanufactured like CV Axles? Or is only a boot repair the best possible choice?

I have always thought of taking out the PS system because it's not technically "needed" to drive the car. I think my PS pump is going bad anyway because when it gets real moist outside or if I get any water on the PS pump(when cleaning the engine bay), it'll squeal for a long time until I assume it gets dried out and then it doesn't squeal anymore. My guess is that the bearings are going in it, kinda like an alternator sometimes.

I hope you guys can help me out with some pro advice because I want this car to last the longest mechanically as possible. If removing the entire PS system is a definite cheap cheap alternative, will driving the car be unbearable or just a little harder because I have never drove a non-PS car.

Thanks!