Electric Power Steering

Electric Power Steering

Author
Discussion

xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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Has anyone fitted electric power steering to the Ultima ? there seems to be quite a few on the market from simple knob activation to speed sensitive units. I would be looking at assistance at parking speeds and little/none as the speed increases or maybe its not needed, any advice /pictures welcomed.

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

188 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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Sure this has been talked about and several owners have incorporated this feature in their builds. Have you checked in the Ultima Owners page on FB?

Steve_D

13,737 posts

257 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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Couple of earlier threads for you.
If they don't answer the question come back.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Google "pistonheads ultima power steering" brings up those and more.

Steve

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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I had SS fit it to my GTR about 3 years ago due to a touch of arthritis in my left wrist.

I can switch it on/off and adjust sensitivity.

I have found I set it at about 60% and leave it on all the time.

At a standstill I can turn the steering wheel with one finger smile

I like it.

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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Oh, and to save you a phone call, he said he would never do another on a completed car!!!

xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Sunday 24th February 2019
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Thanks for the info, thought that it must have been done before. I like the look of the DC Microsteer but it might not have the torque to turn the wheels. The pro street version has double the power so looks like a call to DC for their recommendations is on the cards
Regards Tim

F.C.

3,896 posts

207 months

Monday 25th February 2019
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Fitted my Corsa B derived unit 7 years ago.
Corsa B/C units are analogue, D onward are CANBUS.
No problems with it other than small amount of play when the unit is switched off.
The play can be eliminated with the use of a strain gauge in place of the Corsa torque sensor.
I was aggravated by this play at first (I use the power steering for parking only) but now I hardly notice it on road with the EPAS switched off.

All fitted in a day on a completed car with drivers seat removed.
If you go the "cheap" route and fit a Corsa derived unit send your ECU to DC electronics to fit the speed pulse generator (for controlling the level of assistance).
I fitted an EBAY one at first and it was ste!



xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Monday 25th February 2019
quotequote all
F.C. said:
Fitted my Corsa B derived unit 7 years ago.
Corsa B/C units are analogue, D onward are CANBUS.
No problems with it other than small amount of play when the unit is switched off.
The play can be eliminated with the use of a strain gauge in place of the Corsa torque sensor.
I was aggravated by this play at first (I use the power steering for parking only) but now I hardly notice it on road with the EPAS switched off.

All fitted in a day on a completed car with drivers seat removed.
If you go the "cheap" route and fit a Corsa derived unit send your ECU to DC electronics to fit the speed pulse generator (for controlling the level of assistance).
I fitted an EBAY one at first and it was ste!
Thanks for the information, did you fit it yourself, if so what’s involved with fitting, body’s not on mine yet so access is still good
Regards Tim

onewhitey

43 posts

163 months

Monday 25th February 2019
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I just fitted the dc micro steer to my gtr, I mounted it above the pedal box, you have to remove the seat to work, and it’s a lot of time on your back upside down!! The kit came with enough hardware to make up the new shafts. Ideally I wanted to mount it at the dash under the stack unit, but it’s 10 mm to long to fit between the steering shaft mounting brackets. On full power it gives enough assistance for shunting around, as soon as I’m out the garage, it’s turned off and the feel is the same as before fitting. You can easily wire it to be speed sensitive. It’s The best mod I’ve done on the car, apart from bolting the side windows in ( I hardly ever use them)

xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Monday 25th February 2019
quotequote all
onewhitey said:
I just fitted the dc micro steer to my gtr, I mounted it above the pedal box, you have to remove the seat to work, and it’s a lot of time on your back upside down!! The kit came with enough hardware to make up the new shafts. Ideally I wanted to mount it at the dash under the stack unit, but it’s 10 mm to long to fit between the steering shaft mounting brackets. On full power it gives enough assistance for shunting around, as soon as I’m out the garage, it’s turned off and the feel is the same as before fitting. You can easily wire it to be speed sensitive. It’s The best mod I’ve done on the car, apart from bolting the side windows in ( I hardly ever use them)
That's just the information I'm after. Looks like an order to DC is pending.
Many Thanks

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

188 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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onewhitey said:
I just fitted the dc micro steer to my gtr, I mounted it above the pedal box, you have to remove the seat to work, and it’s a lot of time on your back upside down!! The kit came with enough hardware to make up the new shafts. Ideally I wanted to mount it at the dash under the stack unit, but it’s 10 mm to long to fit between the steering shaft mounting brackets. On full power it gives enough assistance for shunting around, as soon as I’m out the garage, it’s turned off and the feel is the same as before fitting. You can easily wire it to be speed sensitive. It’s The best mod I’ve done on the car, apart from bolting the side windows in ( I hardly ever use them)
Looks like an interesting kit, I assume you are talking about the EPAS200 DCE Microsteer system. As I'm still in the built stage, this could be a great upgrade considering I'm also getting on in age biggrin

onewhitey

43 posts

163 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
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Take advantage of the room you have now, it will be a lot easier, I’m now in the process of fitting 285 fronts, that looks harder than the e p a s. good luck to you! 😀

xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
quotequote all
onewhitey said:
Take advantage of the room you have now, it will be a lot easier, I’m now in the process of fitting 285 fronts, that looks harder than the e p a s. good luck to you! ??
Do you think that the Micro steer will still have enough power to turn the wider tires, I'm also looking at the 285 fronts but if you are already on full power with the 245 I might be better off going for the Pro Street version 75nm vs 32nm, although it looks a physically larger unit so may need to cut the steering column mounts and braces and re-fabricate a mount.
Regards Tim

Storer

5,024 posts

214 months

Tuesday 26th February 2019
quotequote all
onewhitey said:
Take advantage of the room you have now, it will be a lot easier, I’m now in the process of fitting 285 fronts, that looks harder than the e p a s. good luck to you! ??
Don’t spend too much trying to get large front tyres on an Ultima.

They are only beneficial on a track. Not on the road.

F.C.

3,896 posts

207 months

Wednesday 27th February 2019
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xrtim said:
Do you think that the Micro steer will still have enough power to turn the wider tires, I'm also looking at the 285 fronts but if you are already on full power with the 245 I might be better off going for the Pro Street version 75nm vs 32nm, although it looks a physically larger unit so may need to cut the steering column mounts and braces and re-fabricate a mount.
Regards Tim
The wider fronts normally mean extra width on the inner rim, this won't affect the EPAS as it is hardly any more effort as you are not adding any more to the off centre effect on the steering.
If it were added to the outside rim then you would need extra power to overcome the extra off-set IYSWIM

ROWDYRENAULT

1,270 posts

213 months

Wednesday 27th February 2019
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chris I am very interested in your steering mod. it looks like the distance from the steering column brace to the firewall is barley sufficient to fit the system. can you show some pictures or diagrams of how you mounted this? Always good to learn from someone else's effort. Lee

UltimaCH

3,155 posts

188 months

Thursday 28th February 2019
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ROWDYRENAULT said:
chris I am very interested in your steering mod. it looks like the distance from the steering column brace to the firewall is barley sufficient to fit the system. can you show some pictures or diagrams of how you mounted this? Always good to learn from someone else's effort. Lee
Yes pictures please, I'm also interested to get an idea of how it fits

GtrMan

134 posts

148 months

Sunday 3rd March 2019
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I have installed an 80nm unit by Kartek from US ...they are used on Buggeys.
I managed to fit it between the steering brackets with minimal mod to the chassis and include a torque sensor.....no chassis tubes were cut.

GtrMan

134 posts

148 months

Monday 4th March 2019
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The DCE Micro is the same thing offered by Kartek but with out control box.

https://www.kartek.com/parts/220-watt-12-volt-sand...

xrtim

Original Poster:

247 posts

106 months

Tuesday 4th June 2019
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Finally got started to sorting the power steering out, called in at DCE and picked up their Microsteer system. Will start checking for figment issues tonight but looking at the pictures of completed installations on Ultimas it looks some chassis cutting and re welding is needed