s14 power steering.

[KAs14slider]

Got my motor out the other day to do some winter cleanup on the car, relocating wiring, eliminating things, etc. And I also wanted to address my constant leaky power steering. I looked on chase bays at their power steering kit CB kit (http://www.chasebays.com/product/nissan-240sx/chase-bays-products/chase-bays-power-steering-kit-for-nissan-240sx) and although it would be nice to get, its too expensive and I can have the lines made at a local hydraulic shop for way cheaper so my question is:
Can I bypass the hard line (from rack to reservoir) that runs the length of the rack (circled in red) and replace it with a custom line. And also replace the rack to pump hard line? I just wanted to make sure because obviously the chase bays kit eliminates all this but I wanted to make sure this is ok and won't affect the power steering system. Because I thought I remembered people saying somewhere that the hard line running across the rack acts as a cooler and its bad to get rid of it.

http://i51.photobucket.com/albums/f357/kas14slider/IMG_2727edit.jpg

[KAs14slider]

So by the zero replies I assume that it is ok to replace that hardline.

[Kiro1968]

That hard line is factory version of a power steering cooler.

[KAs14slider]

Well I got that but do you think it will really hurt my power steering not having it?

[Dorifto Machine]

Yes, You can eliminate it, but I recommend you run your own power steering cooler and lines and not take the chance. Unless you want a milkshake of powersteering fluid to replace. :)

This might help you understand:

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/338796-power-steering-lines-cooler-good-times.html

[4-20sx]

yes it is a factory cooling system for the PS. def recommend getting anoter cooling system for your PS.

[FrankFactor]

Sorry for my late entry on this topic...

I have run 2 cars (s13 and s14) without that hard line for years without any problems. Up here its not hot enough to worry about it. I would just save the money by bypassing it and getting quality synthetic power steering fluid. (Red Line or mobil 1 Synthetic Power Steering Fluid) unless you hear from someone who lives in the northeast that took it off and had major issues, i would say that most people keep it for peace of mind not because they had problems without it. ( its not like Florida or LA temps up here )

I also don't ever run a clutch fan and only use the ac fan for cooling. Most people freak out when the hear that, but not because they had problems without it, its just because the common belief is you need one.

The biggest thing is just not to be dumb about it. If you take it off and you DO have any issues you don't go out drifting with it, you stop and repair it. After all its just a hard line of tubing, not an actual cooler.

And if you need i have 2 of them laying around you can buy.

edit: also, my S14, without a hard line and clutch fan, has endured Autocross and towing (yes I said towing) another car from 8 hours away with out and steering or over heating issues and both were on 90+ degree days.