Hi everyone, sorry about all of, what must be to you, stupid newbie questions.
My wife would like to be able to drive the car when it is finished, unfortunately she has arthritis in her hands (and yes she has heard all of the jokes too ) which I think will make steering a car without power steering a challenge.
She can drive our tintop OK but that has power steering, anyway I am thinking of using the power steering from the Scorpio donor car as it is speed sensitive.
Any thoughts, good or bad idea, why would it be a bad idea and remember I am still at the grovelling for money stage.
Cheers
Colin

i dont see why you couldnt but youd need custom pipe work. will be over assisted though id imagine

i would perhaps see if any kind souls on here would let you try driving a car without power steering first.

remember these cars are very light, and if you avoided all the quick rack options, should be ok for her to drive.

also, are you comparing to a power steering car without the engine running and how heavy the steering is there? power racks are very different to manual ones and are alot heavier than the equivalent manual rack without the engine running.

my car i'm building is heavier than a 7, has a quick rack, and VERY wide wheels, and i can turn the wheels with one hand when its sitting still

as for it being speed sensetive, i imagine you'd be stuck with the orginal ECU, which may not work very well with your intake and exhaust etc, the ecu may also be looking for variuos other systems to be connected in which you maynot use in your car. depends on all that kind of stuff too.

i mean it can be done, it may not be as easy (or necessary) as first thought

[Edited on 7/6/09 by blakep82]

I agree with blake - even sitting still you don't need it, I would just say to bear in mind that the smaller the steering wheel, the higher the force needed to turn it. Either take her to Newark and get her to try a couple out, or find someone on here local to you and do the same.

Make it clear to her that driving the car has to be 'earned' during the build, though!

ah yes, bigger steering wheel too^ good call.

To be honest the steering is pretty light at speed.

It's only going to be parking that is going to be difficult. (Hence your speed sensitive power steering).

Have you thought about using an electric power steering column? Ask Coozer about them, or do a search, but I think the current model Corsa has one. Should be pretty simples to connect up to a power supply and a button / dial. (My wife's Punto has a "City" button that makes the steering really light when parking).

HTH

Mike

the early MGF's have electric power steering too, and should be simple to adapt to a seven if you really needed too, the only potentially dificult bit would be picking up a speed signal,( which comes from the k series ECU on the MGF)

the MGF version has its on EPAS ECU which makes it easier to retrofit on other cars

hth
Ray

Saxo had a good electric power steering rack

I've got a Robin Hood which is considerably heavier than many 7s and using a standard mechanical rack, 10" steering wheel and 195 tyres is still pretty light to turn, even when stationary. I would think that a 12" wheel on a lighter car would be okay for your wife.

Just don't fit over wide tyres ---- even 185 are wide on such light car.

nNarrowish tyres on rims at the wider end of the filament range for the tryre size will also give the best handling.

A lot of the honda/vauxhall mini boys use a corsa electric setup, I think there is an aftermarket controller which can adjust or switch of the assistance

Found it

http://cgi.ebay.ie/Corsa-rally-kit-Escort-Electric-Power-steering-Control_W0QQitemZ320374225636QQcmdZViewItemQQimsxZ20090521?IMSfp=TL090521172001r976< br />
Cheers
David

[Edited on 7/6/09 by Minicooper]

Now that is a good idea, power steering that can be switched on and off. Keeps both of us happy.

Thanks again for all your help.

Now if I can just talk her out of the pink leather interior

quote:

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Originally posted by GrumpyOne
Now that is a good idea, power steering that can be switched on and off. Keeps both of us happy.

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