Corsa power steering
Corsa power steering
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Discussion

phillpot

Original Poster:

17,510 posts

212 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
Maybe I'm going soft in my old age but have decided that some power steering would make the S a much more "user friendly" car.

So would much appreciate any advice on fitting Corsa electric system. Sure its cropped up in past threads but not found anything using search.

What little info I've found mentions "Corsa B" but all columns on Ebay are "Corsa C" are these useable ?

Do the TVR/Ford indicator switches, cowl, ign.switch, steering wheel etc go back on ?

Some advertised include an ecu but do they need to be linked into main ecu (for speed related sensitivity) ?

Obviously its not going to be a straight "bolt on" job but can it be done without access to a fully kitted out machine shop scratchchin ?

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

233 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
I looked into this briefly before I got hold of the chim rack.
The ECU speed sensitive thing isn't essential - you can buy a little box of tricks that basically gives you a knob that allows you to manually vary the level of assistance.
They also take a lot of power - 40 amps rings a bell but do a bit of google research you'll find the info.

I didn't get much further than that really - GreenV8S made a valid point that the asistance reacts against the mounting brackets - and the existing column mountings may not be up to it, you would probably as a minimum have to beef them up.
In terms of column switches I reckon you will have to use the vauxhall ones and adapt your loom accordingly with vauxhall connectors.
My view is that I did think it was possible - but I reckon you will probably have to take the dash out to engineer it properly.
If you're seriously thinking about it I'd buy one off ebay to get the fit - I can't remember the difference but I think the corsa B column makes life easier. If it won't fit then stick it back on ebay, you've only lost the postage with a bit of luck.

If I remember anything else that I researched I'll add it to this thread.



phillpot

Original Poster:

17,510 posts

212 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks for that Chris, had imagined would take a fair dollop of power but that shouldn't be a problem if all wired up properly, V6 alternator has huge output. Found that control box thingy you mentioned on Ebay.


Other option would be to go hydraulic ? Can't think it would be too difficult to strap a pump onto the V6 somewhere (plenty of Grannies must of had them) but Chimaera racks are probably few and far between, at "sensible" prices. Did yours take much adapting, do I recall reading somewhere you had to notch a bit out of the chassis ?

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

233 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
I did have to 'adapt' the rack mounts and the tube behing the rack I had to cut a bit away & weld it up to make room for the pinion bit (I had to make an indentation effectively).

I also had to cut a few mm off the end of the track rods which was a bit of a point of no return really - as I can't really sell it as a chim rack now if it doesn't work eek

Barkychoc

7,848 posts

233 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
Where are you in the West Mids Mike? If you progress it I'd be interested to come and poke my nose in...

Also when I was looking I worked out its far better to try and get everything in one hit, buying all the bits seperately gets expensive when you add up all the postage.

This looks reasonable I think

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Vauxhall-Corsa-B-Electronic-...


Edited by Barkychoc on Thursday 11th March 22:24

phillpot

Original Poster:

17,510 posts

212 months

Thursday 11th March 2010
quotequote all
Hadn't seen that one, now I am getting tempted but, should I first sort out other jobs I've been aquiring bits for over winter, rear disc's, engine top end overhaul and cam, gearbox rebuild ..............

I'm in Redditch, just south of Birmingham, you'd be more than welcome to come and have a nose if I do go for it !

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

211 months

Friday 12th March 2010
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Hi All,
I have a Corsa C EPS unit ready to fit, on a scale of 1 to 10 its a 9, first thing is the B has normal relays and wiring for the indicators and wipers the C has a body module so uses a pulse system and is a lot of messing to fit. You can use the C column with the B wiper and indicators as they just clip in to the column top.
Most of the Corsa C wiper stalks have a rear wash wipe but there is a wiper stalk with front wash wipe delay and 2 speed from the B.

I have to relocate the bonnet pull as the motor just sits where the mount for the bonnet pull is, the Corsa C is quite a lot shorter so there is a section you need to make up with a welded extension with splines to mate up to the down linkage to the rack. The Corsa cowl is bigger than the TVR so a bit of re working with the dash cut out is needed to get the column in the right place.
I have the rally trim pot for the steering load and 40 amps is about right, Momo makes a nice boss so you can use your existing wheel, if you are going to do it, get a complete unit with everything including the column loom and keys.

Alan


phillpot

Original Poster:

17,510 posts

212 months

Friday 12th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks Alan, that answers a lot of my queries/concerns, think a tour of local scrapyards is called for. Would be good as you say to get a totally complete column.

Now just need to find out how I tell a Corsa B from a Corsa C !thumbup

Alan Whitaker

2,054 posts

211 months

Friday 12th March 2010
quotequote all
Hi.
The spline on the top is 21.35 on the C and about 15mm on the B.

Alan