Power Rack&Pinion Steering

[Brett Proctor]

OK you guys convinced me to do it.

Got the stock steering removed and working on the mock up to make sure everything lines up and works. then I'll have to lift the body enough to get in there and do the welding

 

[Peter]

Have fun, that's what it's all about. will make a HUGE differnce. going for PAS or just the R&P? I have the R&P and find it enough even with 235/60-15 tires on.

Oh yes I do.



Also noted the SS, and I assume the Cimbria, has a huge space above the frame head, does the Nova/Sterling? I could, if needs be, with both wheels off actualy get in there to grind clean and weld the bracket on.

 

[Peter]

OK you guys convinced me to do it.

Got the stock steering removed and working on the mock up to make sure everything lines up and works. then I'll have to lift the body enough to get in there and do the welding

Any idea what units you might use yet?

 

[Brett Proctor]

Any idea what units you might use yet?

The unit is out of a 1988 VW cabriolet.

It's the most compact hydraulic power unit I've found and rebuild kits are available for it or you can get a unit already rebuilt.

I bought a kit for $35 and rebuilt it myself

Inner and outer tie rods have been found that will make this unit work in the VW steering system.

Just waiting to pull the body to install it.

 

[Brett Proctor]

What I've learned.

After all the research and testing I ended up with EPAS (electric power assist steering) from a Ford Fiesta and a manual rack and pinion out of a Geo Metro.
Why the Fiesta unit?? that fit the dash that I made from parts of a Fiesta dash. Power assist Unit is part of the steering column.

The Fiesta unit required a control module that I found on ebay to work. However, from info I found on the web a Toyota Prius unit (I think it was) doesn't require a control module. Info on that can be found on the web and I think there is a write up on that somewhere on this site.

Looking back you may be able to install a EPAS and keep the VW steering setup. I never experimented with that.
So far I haven't really tested the rack and pinion setup to see if it was worth installing. Drove the car around the block and everything worked fine. Only complaint so far is it takes to many revolutions of the steering wheel to turn the car. Would like it to turn a little tighter per revolutions of the steering wheel.

Power assist is nice. not much effort is required to turn the car.

 

[Brett Proctor]

My mistake
All EPAS units have control units, but the Fiesta required CAN to work (where the Prius unit doesn't require CAN to work) and the control module that I found on ebay had the CAN program for the fiesta unit to work.

 

[farfegnubbin]

The new Sterling I’m developing has modified Mustang II front suspension and I opted for power steering. My dad has been teasing me about bothering with power steering in a car that is so light. At speed I don’t care but I think the car would be much more pleasant in a parking lot if it with power steering. I’m glad you took the time to make it happen.

 

[Brett Proctor]

At speed I don’t care but I think the car would be much more pleasant in a parking lot if it with power steering.

As you said at speed power steering is not needed.
I once had a chevy truck with manual steering , at speed turning was not an issue, but at a stop or as you mentioned while trying to park it was a bear to turn and maneuver around.
So at stops and lower speeds power steering is nice to have. You can maneuver the car around while parking with only one hand on the steering wheel with no effort now.