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Author: Subject: Power Steering ?????
Ben 4x4 Shepperd

posted on 3/1/03 at 02:29 PM Reply With Quote
Power Steering ?????

I've spent yesterday and today removing every thing to do with power steering off the engine and the steering rack as first I don't think the engine will fit in the chassis otherwise! But also I don't think I will need power steering as it should be light enough to go without. Does any one know or think I might need it??????
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ewanspence

posted on 3/1/03 at 03:17 PM Reply With Quote
dump it

As you say the car is light, I got a manual rack for £5 in the scrappy. Less wieght, fan belts, hoses .....
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locodude

posted on 3/1/03 at 06:31 PM Reply With Quote
Well said, bin it!






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Viper

posted on 3/1/03 at 06:36 PM Reply With Quote
You would only notice any benefit with power when you are parking, they sap power from your engine are expensive when they go wrong and bloody ugly under the bonnet
I would go with a manuel recon rack from your local motor factors for the sake of £25 you know its gonna be ok...






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Ben 4x4 Shepperd

posted on 3/1/03 at 07:37 PM Reply With Quote
At the moment I have the old steering rack with all the hyraulic bits stripped off after covering most of my garage floor in hydraulic fluidand it is now alot smaller and lighter It is also basically the same as a manual rack with a few hole which I could easliy plug would it still be a bad Idea to use it??
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Viper

posted on 3/1/03 at 07:50 PM Reply With Quote
never tried that, but i know when the belts snap the steering gets heavy might be coz you are trying to push round loads of fluid, i would imagine the internals are different, give it a try, its not hard to change the rack at a latter date...






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Ben 4x4 Shepperd

posted on 3/1/03 at 07:59 PM Reply With Quote
So far I have emptied it completely and it seems pretty light but I don't know what they are like normally so? But I think I will use it as as you say I can always get another one easily.
Thanks Ben

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Viper

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:01 PM Reply With Quote
let us know what happens.
best of luck
Tim






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jollygreengiant

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:19 PM Reply With Quote
The difference between manual and power steering is that the power steering produces a greater turning movement of the Rack by the pinion (ie a quicker rack) by using hydraulics and power from the engine (although the modern versions use a self contained and fully enclosed electric motor/hydraulic system that only works when there is a rotaional input at the steering wheel).
Whilst you might find it "easy enough" to turn off the car or with no vehicle wheight through the suspension it will be a different matter when fully loaded.

Further there is the small matter of SVA & MOT. there is an obvious difference in appearance between a manual rack and a power rack. If a power steering rack is fitted then by definition it should function.
thereby if my memory of the VI inspection manual is correct a power steering rack that was fitted but NOT functional would FAIL an MOT. The old adage 'If its fitted it should work & if its not fitted its not testable' is a good turn of phrase to apply.

Best bet is to get a manual rack from a breakers as most motor factors are now chargeing £100 surcharge on the old units so buying from after market is no longer the 'cheap ' option.

Sorry that this is so long winded but I'm just trying to give good advice.


Enjoy

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Viper

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:30 PM Reply With Quote
Best bet is to get a manual rack from a breakers as most motor factors are now chargeing £100 surcharge on the old units so buying from after market is no longer the 'cheap ' option.


The last rack i bought from central auto spares was a mk2 escort £25.00 plus £10 surcharge funnily enough the rack i bought before that was a mauel rack for a mk3 capri and it was the same price as the escort..a power rack might well be that expensive but not a manuel one...






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stephen_gusterson

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:31 PM Reply With Quote
just to go against all the advice, my non std 'locost' has been fitted with the power steering that came with the donor.

It wasnt hard to fit in terms of it being a simple system.


Basically two pipes and a pump - a bit like mounting two alternators.

What was a problem was all the chassis mods needed at the front to fit a long rack in with decent bump steer. I have no idea if you can hack a power rack to a shorter size, so I stuck with what I had.

My car is intended to be a bit of a tourer with a fairly heavy v6 in the front so I though fit the power steering.

For a 550 kilo locost, probably little point.

However, even 850 kilo hatchback have power steering nowadays!

atb


steve






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Duncan

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:32 PM Reply With Quote
Do not use the power rack, it will not work properly.

Get a manual one.

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jollygreengiant

posted on 3/1/03 at 08:39 PM Reply With Quote
The last rack i bought from central auto spares was a mk2 escort £25.00 plus £10 surcharge funnily enough the rack i bought before that was a mauel rack for a mk3 capri and it was the same price as the escort..a power rack might well be that expensive but not a manuel one...



Centrals have brought in the high surcharge in the last month. so maybe you were lucky or the guy behind the counter was being over friendly against company policy. I deal mainly with their head office. Either way you got a good deal well done that lad.


Enjoy

[Edited on 3/1/03 by jollygreengiant]

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