Electric Power Steering

[roverman]

Reportedly some Dodge Intrepids. Anyone retrofitted to electric asisted rack ? Let's discuss. Thanks, roverman.

[mgb260]

Art, Dodge Intrepid has conventional center steer rack and pinion, same as Cavalier but front steer. It is available with electronic variable assist(sensor and solenoid valve). I found the best Electric pump is Toyota second gen MR2. It has remote reservoir also. I don't know what the last one's from.            
Here are pics:

[Moderator]

As I recall, MGF was the first production car to have electric power steering, and that the rack looked exactly like a normal (non-power) rack because the power assist motor is actually on the steering column. You can see or buy all the components on eBay's UK website.

At least theoretically, electronic controls can make steering assist road-speed sensitive, self-adapting for tire and road surface variables, and even adaptable for driver preference. If I were working at an OEM, I'd be excited about these possibilities. In that context, if you must have power steering I expect electric is the future: ultimately it should be lighter, cheaper, and easier to package than hydraulics. But for an early adopter there will certainly be tradeoffs in terms of development costs and liability exposure.

I don't know why any able-bodied person would want power steering on their lightweight vintage sportscar. To make their car easier to parallel park? Dead weight! It must be surely be easier to alter caster, fit a larger diameter steering wheel, change steering rack gear ratio, etc.

[mgb260]

I agree with you Curtis, but if you are older,disabled or your wife likes easier steering. Just another option. The Intrepid rack can be plugged and used as a manual also same as Cavalier. 3 turns lock to lock and 6" travel, about the same as MGB. The beauty of it is the ability to optimize your bump steer and ackerman by using a angle adapter the right length you can put the inner tie rod ends exactly where you want them.

[roverman]

Ok, I'm not disabled or a wife, maybe because I'm OLDER, yeah-thats it ! Not quite feeble, but truth be known, I just found out my C5 Vette front suspension clip has no "rack" to steer with. Maybe I should try to order a "special- manly" manual rack from the dealer ? Good Luck with that. Car will weigh approx 3k pounds with really-fat tires using lots of quick succession turns. I've heard nasty rumors of "real" race cars actually using power assist-discusting.  Cheers, roverman.

[mgb260]

Art for the Vette clip you want Cavalier rear steer rack. Here is a pic with square tube adapter:

[roverman]

Thanks Jim, any possibility that will work with the Toyota electric pump ? Cheers, roverman.

[mgb260]

Speedway motors has an adjustable pressure valve. The Cavalier and Intrepid rack are low pressure like Mustang II.(2 gpm) I know the normal GM power steering (other than Cavalier)is high pressure and normally require 3gpm at the rack. That's why Mustang II racks are twitchy with the GM pumps. Maybe the Variable assist valve on the Intrepid rack can be adapted to the Cavalier. You can use angle or flat bar for the adapter for rear steer also,here is a pic in a old pickup:

[DiDueColpi]

Subaru used to have a pretty neat electric power steering setup.
When I worked for Subaru in the 80's we used to see the system on the XT6 cars. And then latter on the SVX.
It used a variable pressure electric pump and a mostly conventional rack.
Worked pretty well as I recall.
The whole system was modular and would retro fit easily.
Cheers
Fred

[socorob]

my coworker has a chevy hhr and his power steering was giving him troulble. There was no pump anywhere the belt went. Come to find out, it has electric power steering.

[MG four six eight]

Yes electric power steering is becoming more comon on GM vehicles all the time. There is an electric motor mounted to the steering column along with the power steering control module. They can take up a fair amount of room under the dash, but flip side is the space saved on the engine.
The advantages include acurate speed sensitive steering, less road shock through the steering wheel and slightly improved fuel economy.
However sometimes they can lack "road feel" and in some applications are all most "to" easy to steer.

Bill

[rficalora]

Similar thread on the MG Experience board.  Dan Masters pointed folks to an after market unit.  See pg. 56 in the current Street Rodder magazine.  I just got mine in the mail Friday - it's the January issue -- magazines seem to know something about the calendar the rest of us don't.

[roverman]

Are we describing  
"pure" electric assist versus electric powered hydralic system? It sounds like Bill J. is describing a "pure" electric assist, without hydraulics involved ? I have an associate with a Cad. CTS. The system mal-funtiontioned, and tried to steer him into a guard rail ! No factory recall, the mechanic downplayed as a faulty sensor. This could be tragic !  Thanks, roverman.

[Moderator]

You started the thread!  

It can be tragic when ANY power steering system fails. For awhile when it was near death, my '71 Valiant's power steering would cut-in and cut-out on highway exit ramps. It was safer after I removed the power steering pump... Boy, that was a long time ago! Anyhow... having both electric and hydraulic parts to worry about seems like way too much complexity.

[Moderator]

You could have the whole MGF system for about £120-150.  One benefit of this installation is that it doesn't add bulky parts to your engine compartment... apparently except for a speed sensor, the electric parts are on the dry side of the firewall. So clean! I wouldn't have it on my MGB, but I do think it's a nifty approach.

[Dan B]

Ford Escape has it.  I like it.

[mgb260]

Yes, very cool! But,If you look at the pictures of the Intrepid variable assist and the remote power steering pump which can be mounted anywhere out of the way without crowding under dash area or replaceing steering column.

[mgb260]

Art, Cavalier and other GM J bodies had variable assist option also. They also had a low pressure valved "sport" option for more road feel. These are all rear steer. Dodge Intrepid,Chrysler 300 etc. are front steer and are made by Delco also with same options. Based on Saab/Opel design. Commonly used to retrofit power steering or conversion from steering box type. My unknown pump picture is latest MR2 design with integral reservoir.

[BlownMGB-V8]

I think you guys just have the wrong wheels. I put 255's on the front of my MG and it steers easier than stock. Just change the offset to move the wheel in further. Oh yeah I forgot, it takes a 16 or 17" wheel to do that and clear the tie rod end.

JB

[rficalora]

The after market one mentioned above (by Unisteer) is pure electric.  Appears similar to the MGF on Curtis pictured.  Ad says variable assist by sensing input torque to controversial.  And monitors parts - if detects a failure disengages and steering is same as if no assist.

[roverman]

Power rack isn't for a MGB, for an AMX,(almost British) ? I agree that for "most" folks, in a lightweight sports car, probably won't need ps. JH "might" benefit, time will tell. Thanks for the input, roverman.

[steve64b]

I have the all electric unit sold by the guys in the Netherlands in my B... great addition.

The installation took about 3 hours working by myself, variable assist makes driving a breeze if there is a failure you revert to non assisted steering... no down side.

[slow-poke]

I recently installed electric power steering in a 1966 Mustang. I did not use a kit, I simply pulled a column style EPS from a newer GM vehicle and then spliced the unit into the original steering column.

The results far exceeded my expectations and the cost was less than $200. I designed a controller that automatically adjusts assist level based on vehicle speed, so that the steering feel is "just right" regardless of speed.

I documented (with pictures) how I went about this on a Vintage Mustang forum. If anyone is interested do a google search for "Best $200 mod ever (EPS)"

 or

follow this link to page 7 where the details start: http://forums.vintage-mustang.com/mod-custom-forum/787114-best-200-mod-ever-eps-7.html#post6037649

Any questions just ask.

[BlownMGB-V8]

Is there room for that in an MGB?

Jim

[TNV8]

I found this on the Web..  http://thedrivenman.com/c-786941-shop-by-category-electric-power-steering-mg.html