Power assisted rack - anyone done this?

[roger440]

As part of the resurrection, i want to fit a powered rack of some sort.

One option is electric, using a microsteer kit or equivalent.

But has anyone retro fitted a conventional power assisted rack from another car?

[Carledo]

There was talk back in the day, of it being possible to fit a LHD Montego (NOT Maestro as some have said, NO Maestros had PAS from new) PAS rack upside down (or back to front, or both) in a Dolomite and it would work (Sprint, I think) I've never even seen a LHD Montego, let alone a Dolomite using the rack from one! Maybe Jeroen who comes from where LHD cars are common, has seen it done!

This above is little more than a rumour, but i've looked at the possibilities and they're not promising for 2 reasons, first is that the rack sits between sump and subframe so space is finite and traditional PAS racks are bulky, secondly the Dolomite pinion shaft exits the rack at a near unique angle when most are at, or close to 90 degrees. this dramatically narrows the choice of racks that will even have a chance of fitting if you can get round the bulk issue!

Then you have all the subsidiary issues like where and how to fit a pump, but that's picayune compared to the first 2.

Other than that, a handful of people have converted to electric PAS of their own design using bits borrowed from various makes and a least one company "Easysteer" are offering a professional electric PAS conversion. It's not cheap though!

Steve

[cleverusername]

Interesting, didn't know such kits existed. However looking at the documentation I can find, it looks a bit more involved than simply bolting it on. The motor seems to fit on the steering column itself, so on a dolly I don't think you could fit it without modifying the column. Since it is both safety critical and collapsible column, it is not something I would like to try.

May I ask, why do you want power steering? The steering on my car was very heavy but part of that was due the UJ being seized. It was better once I had freed it up.

[Bumpa]

I also had a partially seized UJ on my Dolly, but once that was sorted the steering is fine - unless you are below 5 mph, eg when parking. Then it takes a fair old pull to turn the wheels from lock to lock, and my 70+ year old arms find it hard. I fitted an electric kit to my MGB GTV8. It came from EZ Power Steering in the Netherlands. http://www.ezpowersteering.nl/language/86/9/Home.html It was expensive but I was able to fit it myself. All that was required was to remove the top half of the column and put it in store, and then replace it with the identical EZ top column which had the motor attached. A bit of careful wiring and it was good to go. The wiring must be done well as the unit can pull a lot of current - it has a 40 amp fuse!

It has a torque sensor, so the more effort you put in, the more help it gives. My BGT runs on sticky 195 section tyres and the steering has made the car much more enjoyable to use. Parking is now a doddle, and at speed it behaves well, although the small amount of assistance at 70 mph takes a little getting used to - it didn't take long to get used to the feel, but it would be better if it switched off once you got going. Should it fail, the steering just reverts to how it was before the conversion.

EDIT: I see they don't advertise a kit for the Dolomite, but I bet if you asked them they would convert your own column.

[dollyman]

I have had power steering fitted to my 1850 Auto as the steering was very heavy when parking. I checked all the usuall problems and non was found, I used https://easysteer.co.uk/ and they did a superb very neat job. The cost was £850 fully fitted. Being partially disabled with shoulder and back problems it transformed the car from being unsure if to go out in the modern or risk the Dolly. Its now the Dolly.
My one and only regret is not having it done sooner..... I have now even fitted a set of Sprint wheels to it and can still park with ease. Steve Waldenberg our Editor used the same company.
It is even adjustable for weight so the car feels right on the road.

Tony.

[dollyman]

They are now selling diy kits on fleabay.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/164878486236 ... Swj~hgqLoI

Tony.

[roger440]

I have had power steering fitted to my 1850 Auto as the steering was very heavy when parking. I checked all the usuall problems and non was found, I used https://easysteer.co.uk/ and they did a superb very neat job. The cost was £850 fully fitted. Being partially disabled with shoulder and back problems it transformed the car from being unsure if to go out in the modern or risk the Dolly. Its now the Dolly.
My one and only regret is not having it done sooner..... I have now even fitted a set of Sprint wheels to it and can still park with ease. Steve Waldenberg our Editor used the same company.
It is even adjustable for weight so the car feels right on the road.

Tony.

This is excellent info. Really appreciate that. Sounds like a phone call next week

[roger440]

Interesting, didn't know such kits existed. However looking at the documentation I can find, it looks a bit more involved than simply bolting it on. The motor seems to fit on the steering column itself, so on a dolly I don't think you could fit it without modifying the column. Since it is both safety critical and collapsible column, it is not something I would like to try.

May I ask, why do you want power steering? The steering on my car was very heavy but part of that was due the UJ being seized. It was better once I had freed it up.

The steering is very heavy at parking speeds. The car currently has a smaller than stock steering wheel, which doesnt help, i admit.

However, i intend to fit a quicker rack, which will make that worse. And also would like to dial in a touch more castor, which again will make it worse.

All combined, its likely to be really hard work at low speed.

[roger440]

There was talk back in the day, of it being possible to fit a LHD Montego (NOT Maestro as some have said, NO Maestros had PAS from new) PAS rack upside down (or back to front, or both) in a Dolomite and it would work (Sprint, I think) I've never even seen a LHD Montego, let alone a Dolomite using the rack from one! Maybe Jeroen who comes from where LHD cars are common, has seen it done!

This above is little more than a rumour, but i've looked at the possibilities and they're not promising for 2 reasons, first is that the rack sits between sump and subframe so space is finite and traditional PAS racks are bulky, secondly the Dolomite pinion shaft exits the rack at a near unique angle when most are at, or close to 90 degrees. this dramatically narrows the choice of racks that will even have a chance of fitting if you can get round the bulk issue!

Then you have all the subsidiary issues like where and how to fit a pump, but that's picayune compared to the first 2.

Other than that, a handful of people have converted to electric PAS of their own design using bits borrowed from various makes and a least one company "Easysteer" are offering a professional electric PAS conversion. It's not cheap though!

Steve

Interesting info. Thanks.

Though i must correct you on the maestro. They were available with PAS. Ive had them. Both diesels. No idea if the petrols had them?

Would have thought its too wide though? Would mean rather short track arms. Which wouldnt be ideal.

I preferred the hydraulic route as i can then use all OE stuff. Effective as the electric ones are, theres a bunch of aftermarket electronics involved, which im not keen on.

[Carledo]

There was talk back in the day, of it being possible to fit a LHD Montego (NOT Maestro as some have said, NO Maestros had PAS from new) PAS rack upside down (or back to front, or both) in a Dolomite and it would work (Sprint, I think) I've never even seen a LHD Montego, let alone a Dolomite using the rack from one! Maybe Jeroen who comes from where LHD cars are common, has seen it done!

This above is little more than a rumour, but i've looked at the possibilities and they're not promising for 2 reasons, first is that the rack sits between sump and subframe so space is finite and traditional PAS racks are bulky, secondly the Dolomite pinion shaft exits the rack at a near unique angle when most are at, or close to 90 degrees. this dramatically narrows the choice of racks that will even have a chance of fitting if you can get round the bulk issue!

Then you have all the subsidiary issues like where and how to fit a pump, but that's picayune compared to the first 2.

Other than that, a handful of people have converted to electric PAS of their own design using bits borrowed from various makes and a least one company "Easysteer" are offering a professional electric PAS conversion. It's not cheap though!

Steve

Interesting info. Thanks.

Though i must correct you on the maestro. They were available with PAS. Ive had them. Both diesels. No idea if the petrols had them?

Would have thought its too wide though? Would mean rather short track arms. Which wouldnt be ideal.

I preferred the hydraulic route as i can then use all OE stuff. Effective as the electric ones are, theres a bunch of aftermarket electronics involved, which im not keen on.

I've OWNED a Maestro with power steering, a G reg MG 2.0 litre. But it only had PAS cos I fitted it so SWMBO could have an easier time! And the donor car for all the bits was a Montego. Maybe some very late Maestros, especially the diesel which was a heavy brute but I can't ever remember seeing one. Had a couple of diesel Montego estates back in the day which had PAS, very underrated car.

Like I said, i've never SEEN a LHD Montego power rack fitted so can't comment on how well it fits, just that the idea was mooted. But you could well be right, cars get wider with every decade.

I wouldn't worry too much about the electronics these days, it's not the 80s any more and the stuff is getting a lot more reliable, even that sold for amateur self assembly like Megasquirt fuel injection is pretty reliable.

Steve