350i Steering Rod bulkhead bush

[Wedg1e]

peter-m4nc3 said:

hi. has anyone tried fitting a corsa electric power steering system to their wedge ?
wondering if its a diy job or garage . and if anyone knows who does this type of conversion

Late Corsas are known for a fault in the electric steering that randomly turns off the power assistance, my other half's father's car has been repeatedly back to Vauxhall who seem unable or unwilling to fix it - and his isn't the only one.
Forum people claim it's a faulty sensor but Vauxhall say this one's been replaced and it didn't cure the fault.

[Wedg1e]

General Zod said:

... if you fit the one on the left (on the outside OR the inside) you have to take the hole in the bulkhead out to 50 mm accommodate the lip. The other one will sit flush, but would have to be fitted on the inside:

Just interested in any thoughts or good reasons why the bearing should be on the outside?

Hmmm, when I did mine I didn't have to doctor the fibreglass; I used an alloy plate to secure the bearing (from outside) and turned a tapered hole through it so the bearing would sit flush. I've supplied the same parts to a couple of forum members (forget who, sorry ) and they evidently had no issues either.
These bearings are sealed against contaminant ingress so although with time the tyre spray will probably get in, the improvement over the silly bit of rubber that TVR (and Rover, it was nicked from the SD1) used is worth the compromise. Rimmers still sell the original parts if you want to stick with them (but the tyre spray still gets in...).

[Sireatalot]

Morning guys.. sorry for going slightly OT but does the 280i use the same bearings / have the same shaft diameter as the 350i ?

Cheers
Dom

[Wedg1e]

Sireatalot said:

Morning guys.. sorry for going slightly OT but does the 280i use the same bearings / have the same shaft diameter as the 350i ?

Cheers
Dom

I believe the shafts on the ex-TR7 and ex-SD1 column were the same diameter, so the same type and size of bearing would work. Some people seem to have found a bearing with the correct bore diameter to fit directly although 14mm isn't generally a 'preferred' shaft size for bearing makers.
If you can't find a 14mm one, use (IIRC) 17mm bore and fit a reducing sleeve, it's easy enough.
The later cars used the ex-Granada Mk3 column but I have no info on this, sorry.

[mk1fan]

peter-m4nc3 said:

hi. has anyone tried fitting a corsa electric power steering system to their wedge ?
wondering if its a diy job or garage . and if anyone knows who does this type of conversion

A few people have fitted these systems to their TVRs.

Enginneer1949 has fitted one to his Orange Wedge. There is a build thread in the forum.

Another option could be an S2000 steering rack that has the motor built into the rack. Not sure if anyone has fitted one to a TVR yet though.

[General Zod]

Now fitted- what a difference this makes. Absolutely essential modification.

[v8s4me]

Have you used just three bolts to secure the bearing? It does look a bit tight on the wheel arch side where the 4th one would go.

[Grady]

There seem to be 2 styles. I used one shown in post 4. No way the bigger/longer one would have fit. Grady

[General Zod]

v8s4me said:

Have you used just three bolts to secure the bearing? It does look a bit tight on the wheel arch side where the 4th one would go.

Yes. Actually had to chop the corner off the bearing to get it to fit. It's really solid though

[v8s4me]

Thanks for confirming. Perhaps THIS ONE might be easier to fit then?

[General Zod]

v8s4me said:

Thanks for confirming. Perhaps THIS ONE might be easier to fit then?

Looks an option. I made a backing plate for the outside which you could do to make it more solid.

[mrzigazaga]

Would cast iron be a good option?...Its rusts and can become brittle..Especially when cold...I think I would prefer a stainless steel plate/Housing.

Might be talking twaddle but I thought I would ask.....

[phillpot]

This hasn't fell down yet

[v8s4me]

mrzigazaga said:

Would cast iron be a good option?...Its rusts and can become brittle..Especially when cold.......

This will be on the inside of the bulkhead so I'm hoping rust won't be an issue. Assuming of course I cvan fix all the leaks

The engine block is cast iron and it has survived 35 years so I don't think I'll worry about that aspect.

[mrzigazaga]

phillpot said:

This hasn't fell down yet

Fair point...