Power Steering ??? a good thing?
Discussion
First thanks to all for answering my Insurance question.
Now What are the pros and cons of Power steering on the car, I remember the non-assisted front end of my old '95 griff (N 809 FLT if any of you know where she is today or has been in the interim!) was fantastic at speed but a right bu55er during parking - does the PWS take away the front end feel - and how assisted is it?
Now What are the pros and cons of Power steering on the car, I remember the non-assisted front end of my old '95 griff (N 809 FLT if any of you know where she is today or has been in the interim!) was fantastic at speed but a right bu55er during parking - does the PWS take away the front end feel - and how assisted is it?
Very assisted as the lock to lock is reduced. Absolutely essentiual IMHO as I can catch slides a lot easier with it. Also makes the car easier to sell on.
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk
Sure Steve, catching slides point accepted. But there are plenty of so called purists out there who wouldn't touch PAS and prefer the natural feel of the non-pas model. Mine's not got PAS. I bought it that way because I thought I'd prefer it. In fact I wish it was assisted as parking and fine manoevering can be a pain.
I think the real anwswer here is the usual one - go try a few and see what lights your candle.
I think the real anwswer here is the usual one - go try a few and see what lights your candle.
and it is nothing to do with the steering.
angusfaldo said: I bought it that way because I thought I'd prefer it. In fact I wish it was assisted as parking and fine manoevering can be a pain.
When my rack gave up a while ago I sourced a recon rack that was actually older than the dead one. Oh well I thought, it'll probably be nasty & not last too long but pro-tem what the hell (esp as the factory wanted a lottery win for a new one). 2 years on it's going strong, but the great thing is that the 500's steering immediately felt HEAVIER than it did previously, and for me that's perfect - it doesn't feel much like pas above 30, but for parking is great. Lucky bugger
Regards
Ed
Driven both types, non PAS and PAS. Mine has PAS and I wouldn't have it any other way ...
For years I have been a purist, and I think that was based on driving Euro boxes with appalling light steering. A lot of these purists seem to get to the point when they refuse to admit these systems are far more advanced than earlier ones in my expereince.
The Griffiths PAS steering gives a lot of feedback and as Steve has said does allow you to catch slides much more easily. Using the car in London PAS was a definite for parking aswell.
Having used it on track aswell I was more then ahppy with the steering feel and had no quarms about the PAS at all.
Just wish mine wasn't off the orad while the factory are reconning my rack at the mo !
For years I have been a purist, and I think that was based on driving Euro boxes with appalling light steering. A lot of these purists seem to get to the point when they refuse to admit these systems are far more advanced than earlier ones in my expereince.
The Griffiths PAS steering gives a lot of feedback and as Steve has said does allow you to catch slides much more easily. Using the car in London PAS was a definite for parking aswell.
Having used it on track aswell I was more then ahppy with the steering feel and had no quarms about the PAS at all.
Just wish mine wasn't off the orad while the factory are reconning my rack at the mo !
I've driven Chimaera's with and without. I agree the steering is heavy at low speed without but this is a small price to pay IMHO, also on the Chim the turning circle is noticeably increased with PAS. I also prefer the 'feel' of non PAS. I agree that a Chim with PAS has no 'character'. Does this also apply to Griffs???
Oh yeah, was told retro fit is possible at the factory for about 1500 quid and they fit it in round everything else they are doing - expect about six month wait apparently
>> Edited by yiw1393 on Thursday 28th November 14:49
Oh yeah, was told retro fit is possible at the factory for about 1500 quid and they fit it in round everything else they are doing - expect about six month wait apparently
>> Edited by yiw1393 on Thursday 28th November 14:49
angusfaldo said: Sure Steve, catching slides point accepted. But there are plenty of so called purists out there who wouldn't touch PAS and prefer the natural feel of the non-pas model. Mine's not got PAS. I bought it that way because I thought I'd prefer it. In fact I wish it was assisted as parking and fine manoevering can be a pain.
I think the real anwswer here is the usual one - go try a few and see what lights your candle.
They tend to be the slow purists who get lapped about every 10 seconds or give up after 3 minutes because their shoulders are aching... Virtually all the competition drivers I know prefer a good PAS system.
As you say try and see. Just don't belive the crap about non-PAS giving you better feel and is only suitable for hairdressers etc.. By the time you get that feel the car is in a ditch which is why PAS is a very handy thing to have. The 520 also has it BTW.
Steve
angusfaldo said: Sure Steve, catching slides point accepted. But there are plenty of so called purists out there who wouldn't touch PAS and prefer the natural feel of the non-pas model. Mine's not got PAS. I bought it that way because I thought I'd prefer it. In fact I wish it was assisted as parking and fine manoevering can be a pain.
I think the real anwswer here is the usual one - go try a few and see what lights your candle.
They tend to be the slow purists who get lapped about every 10 seconds or give up after 3 minutes because their shoulders are aching... Virtually all the competition drivers I know prefer a good PAS system.
As you say try and see. Just don't belive the crap about non-PAS giving you better feel and is only suitable for hairdressers etc.. By the time you get that feel the car is in a ditch which is why PAS is a very handy thing to have. The 520 also has it BTW.
Steve
Not this old argument again. Can't believe all that crap about how PAS is great because you can catch slides easier. If the difference between going through a hedge backwards and staying on the black stuff is down to whether you've got PAS or not you have got serious problems, PAS being the least of them.
BTW, I am not sure whether I've got PAS on my Griff, I suspect not but how can I tell - I find it easy to steer one handed, my petite wife has no problems with it and have never not caught a slide - does this mean I must have inadvertently bought a PAS car????
BTW, I am not sure whether I've got PAS on my Griff, I suspect not but how can I tell - I find it easy to steer one handed, my petite wife has no problems with it and have never not caught a slide - does this mean I must have inadvertently bought a PAS car????
'BTW, I am not sure whether I've got PAS on my Griff, I suspect not but how can I tell'
There will be a reservoir for the PAS fluid under the bonnet. In retrofitted cars I think it's to the left of the plenum chamber - not sure if it's there when fitted as original equipment though. You'll find it if you've got it!
There will be a reservoir for the PAS fluid under the bonnet. In retrofitted cars I think it's to the left of the plenum chamber - not sure if it's there when fitted as original equipment though. You'll find it if you've got it!
Gasblaster said: I am not sure whether I've got PAS on my Griff, I suspect not but how can I tell
If you need the strength of 10 tigers to turn the wheel when the car's stationary, you haven't got PAS.
I've got a Griff 500 without PAS, and after trying both, I chose the manual steering. Once the car's moving at about 3mph the steering is light enough for parking manouevres, so don't let that put you off. As always, drive both and make a subjective decision!
Pete
What I actually said was that the purist adage of having better feel with non-PAS cars improved the ability to drive quicker was rubbish as the time you start to feel through the steering that something is wrong, it is too late and even with the PAS it is unlikely to help you or stop you going into a ditch. I did not say that PAS made all the difference. Good drivers can feel through the rest of their body what the car is doing and these signals are usually earlier than the steering feel. This means the appropriate corrective action can be applied earlier where it is more effective. With PAS the window for applying that correction is a bit bigger and therefore it is easier to drive these cars closer on the edge than with a manual car.
In the end it is a personal choice but if you want to get the best out of the car, PAS is a big big step forward. It also allows you to run wider tyres for improved grip without needing Arnie's biceps.
Steve
In the end it is a personal choice but if you want to get the best out of the car, PAS is a big big step forward. It also allows you to run wider tyres for improved grip without needing Arnie's biceps.
Steve
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