Power Steering

[john w]

Cheers Nick

John

[oiler0]

hi all
i under stand that from the time my chassis was built way back in 1987 that dax have used many streeing racks in my case a doli rack
is i am just about to look at upgrading the front end [ bump steer ] power steering option sounds good to me
has any one fitted it to an old dax chassis like 1987 build. ???
if the power sterring is of a corsa any one know what year or modle
and how easy is it to wire up , i under stand it electric and not hydraulic
any help would be good
simon:-}

[Nobby]

Simon, The key fob I got with the second hand ignition switch is from an 'S' reg Corsa. I would assume this is the same car the rest of the EPAS parts came from. Dunno what year 'S' was though?

Dax make some modifications to the Electronic Power Control Unit to 'couple' it to the Input Command Module? All sound a bit NASA to me!

Apparently this - and I quote "Greatly simplifies the connections needed when installing the EPAS system"

There are 4 wires from the control unit - Live, Earth, Live with ign on and a potentiometer to vary the amount of assistance.

The GM ignition switch has 3 wires into the DAX loom and there are two multiway plugs that connect the EPAS motor to the control box.

The system is powered by a large electric motor attached to the GM upper column, There is also a new lower splined shaft which connects to the UJ on the EPAS unit. You need a different Steering wheel hub.

If I can install it it must be easy!!


Cheers

Nick

[dinosoar]

Oiler0,

Whilst I have no experience of fitting electric power steering, I do have experience of early Dax Chassis.
I have just updated my old early eighties dax chassis to the current MKIV spec.
My old chassis had a dolomite rack mounted above the main chassis rails.
The conversion involves removal of the old upper wishbone pivots and replacement with a jig fabricated MKIV version. This also requires the lower wishbone pivots to be repositioned.
If you chassis is the version after mine then the job is much simpler and just requires a new rack mount plate to be jig positioned.
I assume once you have the rack mount in the correct place you can just follow the Dax conversion for the power steering.

Andy Soar

[Steve]

www.wiringlooms.co.uk/electronic_steering.html

these chaps sell the columns, and do the wiring conversion to make installation simple

[Nobby]

From Steve's post and the website he lists it looks like Dax sell the Corsa 'B' Option. It looks identical to the one i've installed.

Nick

[skorpion]

Wondering how the ford sierra steering column connectors fit on this Corsa B unit ?
Regards,
Andy

[kdavies3]

Like Scorpion said, do you use the original Sierra stalks or do you chang to the Corsa ones? I had been looking into doing a hydraulic PAS conversion based on a modified Peugeot rack, but I think EPAS is a better bet and less hassle. :thumb:

[TonyD]

Guys,

Can I just add a word of caution to those who are thinking of using a powered replacement steering column coupled with existing multi-uj'd lower steering columns and existing racks.

Please make sure that the UJ's below the powered column are up to the job of transferring all this extra turning power down to a rack that was built many moons ago and never designed to handle this power or to turn wide wheels supporting a heavy yank boat anchor.........

What I'm really saying is that are your existing column and racks capable of handling the greater forces that will be passed through them once your columns are motorised ? At the very least it may be worthwhile renewing or uprating the steering column UJ's below the column just to make sure.

I'm using an engine driven PS pump and a powered rack in the two current builds so theres no extra stress on the column or its Uj's. All the stress in in the BMW rack thats designed to handle it.

Of course I may be talking a load of BS but better safe than sorry.........

Cheers,

Tony:thumb:

[skorpion]

Hi Tony,

I think you made a good point here.

For example the plastic "bearing" at the bottom of the steering shaft, while not properly aligned, too thin knuckles or not grooved out splines where the bolts sits....
Perhaps first year nothing will happen but things can wear out quickly when not suited for the job.

I see the benefit of this design (electrical and no room problems down stair) but regarding to loads...it should be up to the job.

Thanks for the warning but still want to know what about the Ford Sierra steering column stalks ???

Regards,
Andy