Power Steering on a Sebring??

[mike n helen]

I've recently bought a Sebring TMX powered by a Rover V8 engine. The car has been built to a really high standard with mainly new parts 3 years ago. There isn't really much for me to do to it other than enjoy driving it when we eventually get some decent weather.

There are two jobs that I feel I must do is a) sort the spacing of the brake and clutch pedal out, too close for my likeing, b) Fit power steering.

Sorting the pebals out shouldn't be a problem (famous last words), but fitting power steering, as the car has a modified Ford rack may not be so straight forward.

Has anybody done this before who could offer some advice. I spoke with Sebring at the Newark Kit Car show, and the guy on the stand said they were looking at this themselves, but couldn't offer me a solution. (Haven't spoke to their technical guys yet though, but some ideas before I do would be helpfull).

Thanks,

Mike n Helen

[hal 1]

Hi, I'm thinking along the same lines as yourself with regard to power steering on my Haldane, I've got a power steering rack from a Capri which i had machined to fit, but the belt driven pump is too large to fit in the available space so one solution could be an electric pump which could be put anywhere it will fit, I believe citroen Saxo's use these along with a few others, suitable pipes will have to be made up to fit the end fittings.
I'm hoping to do the job this winter if poss.

[mike n helen]

I was thinking along similar lines using the EPHS motor pump unit out of an Astra, this is also a remote system which can be mounted else where under the bonnet, and electrically is easy to connect. The bit I'm unsure about is getting the Sierra rack modified as the Sebring one uses the original mounting brackets and has the middle section removed to shorten it, I've no idea if this would be possible with a hydraulic steering gear?

Mike n Helen

[hal 1]

Hi

All the work shortening the rack on mine was done on the passenger side of the rack, the 'teeth' don't go right to the end, there's some round section that was cut down and had new thread cut so the end fitting could be fitted back on, the centre section is just a tube where the fluid runs through which can be cut down to fit the new width, track rod extensions were made to suit the new position of the rack.

So basically the drivers side of the rack stays where it is and the passenger side is brought towards the mounting point, you'll still have the same turning circle because you haven't taken away anything that was a working part.
This is how i've done my capri rack, i'll need new mounting points on the chassis as they're different on the racks

All the work was done by a professional engineering works

I'm going to try and get some pics to you as this should make sense of my drivel

[mike n helen]

I think I understand what you're saying, but some pictures would be a great help.

Mike n Helen

[Mr2Mike]

Perhaps you could consider a powered column as fitted to the Fiesta, Corsa and various other small cars? They are very compact and easy to wire. However, they exert a substantial torque through the mounting points so the structure it's bolted to must be sufficiently strong. Having the column rip itself out and start spinning around between your legs would not be much fun.

[ezakimak]

do some research on Bump steer to make sure that you get the rack (the part that moves in the centre) the right length, and that you get it at the right height relative to your suspension mounting points. up or down will give bump steer, forward or back will change other geometry.

You could also do it in a staged change over as well. A friend of mine has a power rack in a locost type build. He has just looped the fluid lines and filled the rack full of power steering fluid for the time being, so it is essentially a heavy in weight standard unassisted rack. then when you get the pump and lines sorted and or wiring sorted you can do the full change.

[ricola]

I fitted a Corsa C electric column drive system on my phantom, sounds a lot easier than messing with your custom rack...
Rich

[RushV8]

Mike n Helen

I used a much cheaper solution - bought a pair of dumbells and worked out those forearms for a month or 2 and no need now for PAS on my Dax Rush 4.6ltr V8 !!

Well it is an option after all....

[hal 1]

Hi
I've just had a look at the sierra manual rack in the workshop manual, it looks like the housing is a one piece fitting but there's no reason that can't be cut to size, after all kit manufacturers must do it.
The power rack looks like the Capri one I've got but i can't make out whether it's in three pieces like mine,
you can see what i mean when i say that the teeth dont go all the way to the end of the rack, there's quite a lot left to play with.

As has been mentioned you must make sure that you can fit it so that there's no adverse effect with regard to bump steer etc, if it's ok now then if you're lucky and can get it in the same place you shouldn't have any problems

[mike n helen]

I called Sebring today to see if they could build me a power assisted rack to the same specification as they build manual racks, I think this way I should avoid the evils of bump steer problems, unfortunatley the guy I need to speak to was on holiday so I'll have to call back tomorrow.

I had thought about using an EPS system as per corsa's, punto's etc but thought I'd go down the EPHS route first. If Sebring can't do a rack for me then the EPS will be my next option, I just wanted to avoid having to take the dash apart.

Mike n Helen