jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Hey knowledgeable Ninjas, Manual steering sucks. I'm over it. I've been trying to piece together enough knowledge to find an alternative but the bits and pieces I've picked up keep sending me in circles. I've got other plans for the car, but before all that it's biggest short fall is the steering. There were factory power steering units for this car but hell if I can find one. Apparently Crowns up to an S110 have the similar/same power steering, but modification to the pitman arm is needed. That's no big deal but I can't find a wrecked one of these either. I've seen crowns on line with whole different steering columns, so is it a case of finding the matching dimensions and custom fitting it in? With all this in mind, I have a 2J under the hood and the mid/rear sump in there has been notched to fit the drag link/centre link arm. And a fatter power steering unit will get in the way. Is there such a thing as a power assisted version of a manual steering box? Where the power assist happens further up the column and I can keep the current centre link set up for sump clearance? Or am I talking bollocks, and all power steering happens downstairs which means I'll need a new "true" mid sump, or front sump and custom cross member to fit? Any info or links to info would be greatly appreciated. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Just keep looking for the factory power steer? I had two sets when I was into crowns, may have to buy a whole wreck. Check yahoo also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaMpylobacter Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 steering joints in good nick, wheel alignment set decently and correct tyre pressures (probably wont help too much if you have huge tyres on it) help so much in these. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Look at electric power steering as an option too?.. Like this.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=5SjOvL42LIo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fletch Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Look at electric power steering as an option too?.. Like this.. I have put this steering into my Datsun Cedric as the steering box had to go due to the engine swap. The electric booster came from a Suzuki swift. It was pretty easy. Make sure you get the control box which is bolted to the column, then you just need a small circuit which tricks it into running. It needs a speed input and rpm input but the circuit board does that plus gives you adjustment for how much assist you want. You can buy it from the UK as they fit them to lots of rally cars there. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 steering joints in good nick, wheel alignment set decently and correct tyre pressures (probably wont help too much if you have huge tyres on it) help so much in these. This is true. The tie rods are new, pitman and idler arms are all good too. The box has been adjusted to it's limit. It really needs either a rebuild or to be tossed completely. Tire pressure helps but those old chrome wheels don't hold air pressure that well. Another thing that needs replacing at some stage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Look at electric power steering as an option too?.. Like this.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=32&v=5SjOvL42LIo This might be an option. Do you know any outfits in NZ that do this kind of conversion? Cheers man for the info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 I have put this steering into my Datsun Cedric as the steering box had to go due to the engine swap. The electric booster came from a Suzuki swift. It was pretty easy. Make sure you get the control box which is bolted to the column, then you just need a small circuit which tricks it into running. It needs a speed input and rpm input but the circuit board does that plus gives you adjustment for how much assist you want. You can buy it from the UK as they fit them to lots of rally cars there. Cool, I'll look into this more. Get my head around the basics. So, you're saying that I can pull this set up from other cars that came with from factory? E.g Suzuki Swifts? As an option over buying a new set up from a specialist? Does my manual set up stay the way it is with this electric system integrated? Or do I need to add or remove other components to the steering column and rack? Thanks man, this is good stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Found this video breakdown of an electric assist motor. Things get so much easier when you know what to look for! The guy is pretty 'dry balls', but it's a good demonstration of what goes on. https://youtu.be/H-kBebxMPrw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 Found this video breakdown of an electric assist motor. Things get so much easier when you know what to look for! The guy is pretty 'dry balls', but it's a good demonstration of what goes on. https://youtu.be/H-kBebxMPrw Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fletch Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Cool, I'll look into this more. Get my head around the basics. So, you're saying that I can pull this set up from other cars that came with from factory? E.g Suzuki Swifts? As an option over buying a new set up from a specialist? Does my manual set up stay the way it is with this electric system integrated? Or do I need to add or remove other components to the steering column and rack? Thanks man, this is good stuff. In the UK they use the setup from a Vauxhall corsa or something similar. It's the same unit as the swift and some other cars. There is a tilt column version and a non tilt. I used the tilt version to give me room with the original Datsun steering column. Depends if you have a collapsible column From memory there and many places in the UK that sell the steering controller. But if you get the factory unit you will be able to adapt it to your car. It needs an rpm pulse so it knows the engine is running and a speed pulse input so it can decrease the assist as you speed up. The aftermarket control boxes you can buy just trick these signals. A mate in Auckland has built some of these as he uses one in his mini-sprint and would sell you one for a box of beers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fletch Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 Cool, I'll look into this more. Get my head around the basics. So, you're saying that I can pull this set up from other cars that came with from factory? E.g Suzuki Swifts? As an option over buying a new set up from a specialist? Does my manual set up stay the way it is with this electric system integrated? Or do I need to add or remove other components to the steering column and rack? Thanks man, this is good stuff. Also, To fit it us a fuck around. Depends on how much room you have under the dash. It took me a while to make a temporary bracket and test it then cut it off and make another one and try that. I also converted to steering rack so that made it a pick. If your keeping the steering box it will be easy. Just find some space, chop the column and jam the motor in with a bracket to hold the torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 In the UK they use the setup from a Vauxhall corsa or something similar. It's the same unit as the swift and some other cars. There is a tilt column version and a non tilt. I used the tilt version to give me room with the original Datsun steering column. Depends if you have a collapsible column From memory there and many places in the UK that sell the steering controller. But if you get the factory unit you will be able to adapt it to your car. It needs an rpm pulse so it knows the engine is running and a speed pulse input so it can decrease the assist as you speed up. The aftermarket control boxes you can buy just trick these signals. A mate in Auckland has built some of these as he uses one in his mini-sprint and would sell you one for a box of beers. Cool. I'll look into this. Thanks for the tips dude. Much appresh! I've also found a Ford Saturn Vue electric power steering setup online that seems to be popular in the States. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 The Opel corsa is the Barina over here AFAIK. Don't know of any kits in NZ but as you've seen by looking into it there are a number of options around. That link above sounds like a good option too. Here's the ebay link for the wiring harness.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Vue-Ion-Chevrolet-Equinox-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-EPAS/171733694488?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140602152332%26meid%3D9e0f7cfc6f254125a333e8ccf28708f9%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D171027023129 This one is cheaper from the UK for the Corsa, & looks the same.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corsa-B-C-Kit-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-With-ECU-plug-EPAS/181681672736?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33840%26meid%3Daf64535bddf44865a73d6a5e66d14ddd%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D170917297179 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted October 13, 2015 Share Posted October 13, 2015 This has a fuse/fuse holder with it which is convenient.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corsa-B-C-Kit-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-With-ECU-plug-EPAS/180985073152?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33840%26meid%3Daf64535bddf44865a73d6a5e66d14ddd%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D4%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D170917297179 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 13, 2015 Author Share Posted October 13, 2015 The Opel corsa is the Barina over here AFAIK. Don't know of any kits in NZ but as you've seen by looking into it there are a number of options around. That link above sounds like a good option too. Here's the ebay link for the wiring harness.. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Saturn-Vue-Ion-Chevrolet-Equinox-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-EPAS/171733694488?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140602152332%26meid%3D9e0f7cfc6f254125a333e8ccf28708f9%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D171027023129 This one is cheaper from the UK for the Corsa, & looks the same.. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corsa-B-C-Kit-Electric-power-steering-controller-box-With-ECU-plug-EPAS/181681672736?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D33840%26meid%3Daf64535bddf44865a73d6a5e66d14ddd%26pid%3D100011%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D170917297179 Yeah these look like the same solution from a different donor don't they. Any thoughts as to what's going to be needed to fit this onto my rack under the dash? Are there any potential deal breakers fitting wise I should consider? I imagine space shouldn't be too much of an issue. And wiring seems straight forward and well covered in the ebay harnesses. I'll look into availability and price of the Opel, but the Saturn option looks to be about $500 NZD shipped. Which seems too good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j.e.d. Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 As long as space works I can't see any issues with it, but I have no practical feedback to give though sorry. I'll be going down this road for my Torana at least because they never came out with factory power steering & the kits available in Australia or here are well over $2.5k. Might also look into it for the HQ if hauling the ole 202 around gets tiring. Trademe peeps be wanting moonbeams for factory power steering setups. It'll all depend on how much it'll be to source the steering column setup locally or overseas.. If there is enough interest I could look at importing a few of those corsa wiring kits with the fuse, as I'll be needing 2 of them - might look at that early next year. Is that 500 NZD include the power steering unit? not bad if it does 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 As long as space works I can't see any issues with it, but I have no practical feedback to give though sorry. I'll be going down this road for my Torana at least because they never came out with factory power steering & the kits available in Australia or here are well over $2.5k. Might also look into it for the HQ if hauling the ole 202 around gets tiring. Trademe peeps be wanting moonbeams for factory power steering setups. It'll all depend on how much it'll be to source the steering column setup locally or overseas.. If there is enough interest I could look at importing a few of those corsa wiring kits with the fuse, as I'll be needing 2 of them - might look at that early next year. Is that 500 NZD include the power steering unit? not bad if it does Yeah, so in the hour or so I looked into this this morning. EBay has both items for the Saturn Vue option. The electric power steering pump is about $400nzd shipped including import taxes. And the controller box is $110nzd shipped. Plus whatever cost is involved in fitting onto steering column. The only other thing I'm not sure on, is if it requires certification or not? But, if you're struggling to find power steering for your classic, and folks want those sweet, sweet moonbeans for a factory set up that'll probably need a recon anyways. Then this would be a legit option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jtc3d Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 Also, To fit it us a fuck around. Depends on how much room you have under the dash. It took me a while to make a temporary bracket and test it then cut it off and make another one and try that. I also converted to steering rack so that made it a pick. If your keeping the steering box it will be easy. Just find some space, chop the column and jam the motor in with a bracket to hold the torque. Hey, fletch. Did you have any problems making this road legal? Assuming it is. Any cert or warrant trouble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spencer Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Man I would just wait and go for the factory stuff, its not unobtainable you just have to be patient. If you are keeping this thing for good I would track down a mid-sump also, much nicer end result. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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