Fitting Power steering to a S ! Anyone done it ?
Discussion
I did it with a Chimaera rack. And there is the problem. They are rare as hens teeth and priced accordingly. I'll find the post I did and add it to this thread.
Look through this its intermingled with the rebuild thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Oh and the rack was a TVR special its not from something else
Look through this its intermingled with the rebuild thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Oh and the rack was a TVR special its not from something else
Edited by Barkychoc on Friday 30th March 12:49
I have a mechanic looking at mine at the moment. His comment was that the rack is a standard Ford rack, there is an extra groove on the pulley and fixture points on the block for attaching a power steering system. He also mentioned that a Vauxhall based electric power steering system could possibly be fitted but that it might be a bit tight for either system. I will report further in due course.
Speed legal said:
I have a mechanic looking at mine at the moment. His comment was that the rack is a standard Ford rack, there is an extra groove on the pulley and fixture points on the block for attaching a power steering system. He also mentioned that a Vauxhall based electric power steering system could possibly be fitted but that it might be a bit tight for either system. I will report further in due course.
The problem is that the alternator on an S is where the power steering pump is on a Granada - so yes although there are pulley grooves etc, there's limited space to fit a belt-driven pump.The rack isn't standard Ford either.
Barkychoc has fitted an electric system and made it work. Alan Whitaker is doing a similar project. I would prefer their advice, having done it.
mep12345 said:
A mix of chevette, ford cortina and lotus elan the man who returned mine said
That applies to manual steering rack but my understanding is the PAS rack as fitted to Chim / Griff & later cars was a special.I fitted a hydraulic system using a chim rack but my hydraulic pump was electrically powered so no pulleys to worry about.
Rack is based on vauxhall chevette and has vauxhall chevette mounting points etc.
I've had a rack apart and the housing and rack bar are chevette - there are some specially machined parts to space the inner balljoints (inside the rack gaiters) further out (this may be the lotus bit) and then longer ford track rods are fitted.
I've got photos somewhere of the rack internals, comparing a V8S manual rack, a chevette rack and a chim PAS rack. I'll try and dig them out, I know I posted them on another steering thread a while back.
I know one or two Griffaera's have been converted using a Vauxhall Corsa B electric steering column but its not a simple bolt on affair - welding & fabrication is required.
Similarly with what I did you do have to take an angle grinder to your existing mounts - but it has no bearing if you wanted to go back to manual steering.
Edited by Barkychoc on Monday 2nd April 13:59
When S,s were new TVR offered various options, long pedal box for short people and short pedal box for long people.They also offered a 14" steering wheel option for those whose gymm membership had expired. Incredibly effective (I am told that an extra inch makes a considerable difference). Brand new , never fitted and much cheaper than a Chimaera rack but offers around £1000 considered. There is one fitted in the red S2 in the classifieds at David Fox.
Edited by thegamekeeper on Monday 2nd April 15:36
Edited by thegamekeeper on Monday 2nd April 15:46
Well sadly I have got to the stage of finding the steering too heavy!
I started to write an advert to sell the car and then decided to search for the alternative - power steering.
Have there been any further updates? Is it easier/cheaper to install since this thread was started.
Help me make up my mind not to sell a car I have had for 12 years and really enjoy except for parking. Please...
I started to write an advert to sell the car and then decided to search for the alternative - power steering.
Have there been any further updates? Is it easier/cheaper to install since this thread was started.
Help me make up my mind not to sell a car I have had for 12 years and really enjoy except for parking. Please...
Hi All
I have fitted Corsa C to my S but you can use the B as well, you need to fab up a mounting support as it's a lot wider and heavyer that the Sierra one, The Sierra unit mounts on a single support, with the Corsa unit you have to mount it to the front bulkhead as well, I have some pictures if I can find them. I went for the adjustable one so it would have some movement and be adjustable for a good driving position.
One thing you do need the B indicator and wiper stalks as the C uses a body ecu and uses signals where as the B you can wire to the spades on the stalks, you need the Key and barrel from a B as well as the C has an immobilise in the column, hazard switch is not in the cowl as in the Sierra so you will need to fit one of them. Only other thing is the connector to the steering joint, the Corsa has a round spline so an adaptor will need to be made On the steering control you need an aftermarket speed adjuster so you can set the steering to light or heavy, the one I have is from the guy who sells Megasquirt in the UK, It can be set at different speeds for how heavy or light you want the steering.
Alan
gasquirt
I have fitted Corsa C to my S but you can use the B as well, you need to fab up a mounting support as it's a lot wider and heavyer that the Sierra one, The Sierra unit mounts on a single support, with the Corsa unit you have to mount it to the front bulkhead as well, I have some pictures if I can find them. I went for the adjustable one so it would have some movement and be adjustable for a good driving position.
One thing you do need the B indicator and wiper stalks as the C uses a body ecu and uses signals where as the B you can wire to the spades on the stalks, you need the Key and barrel from a B as well as the C has an immobilise in the column, hazard switch is not in the cowl as in the Sierra so you will need to fit one of them. Only other thing is the connector to the steering joint, the Corsa has a round spline so an adaptor will need to be made On the steering control you need an aftermarket speed adjuster so you can set the steering to light or heavy, the one I have is from the guy who sells Megasquirt in the UK, It can be set at different speeds for how heavy or light you want the steering.
Alan
gasquirt
Hi
Pictures
I used the same holes as the old mount just cut the sq bar off and made a mount from the bulk head,
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/mQksIhJR[/url
I don't think the corsa B was adjustable, thats why I used the C but stalks are the same mount, if you use the Carlton wiper stalk (without rear wash wipe)you can use the wiper delay (with the relay)
Alan
Pictures
I used the same holes as the old mount just cut the sq bar off and made a mount from the bulk head,
[url]
|http://thumbsnap.com/mQksIhJR[/urlI don't think the corsa B was adjustable, thats why I used the C but stalks are the same mount, if you use the Carlton wiper stalk (without rear wash wipe)you can use the wiper delay (with the relay)
Alan
thegamekeeper said:
When S,s were new TVR offered various options, long pedal box for short people and short pedal box for long people.They also offered a 14" steering wheel option for those whose gymm membership had expired. Incredibly effective (I am told that an extra inch makes a considerable difference). Brand new , never fitted and much cheaper than a Chimaera rack but offers around £1000 considered. There is one fitted in the red S2 in the classifieds at David Fox.
Hello, I agree with you.Edited by thegamekeeper on Monday 2nd April 15:36
Edited by thegamekeeper on Monday 2nd April 15:46
I fitted a 15"( 38cm) steering Wheel and it makes a sensible difference, it is not like PAS but better than original ( my wife agree) and a LOT cheaper.
It is a suede leather with also a lot more grip than tne original leather.
regards,
Christian.
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