power steering conversion

[Mickey taker]

recently a few BX's have come up without power steering which has put some buyers ( yes me included) off.

Is it a major job to convert a non pas model to pas with citroen bits ?

the reason I ask is there may be an option.

A friend who is seriously into his classics came over tonight and told me about electric power steering.

Kits used to cost as much as £1,800 fitted.

However something I didnt know is that some vauxhalls ( corsa 'C' and meriva for a start) had electric power steering.

so I wondered if it would be feasable to convert using vauxhall parts.

you would need the column (£65.00)


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250950278819? ... 3D1&_rdc=1

and a CORSA RALLY ELECTRIC POWER STEERING CONTROL CONTROLLER UNIT (£45.00)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/220927729842? ... 3D1&_rdc=1

plus be good at measuring, cutting and welding

Just an idea.
my friend is going to try it on his rover P4

[Dollywobbler]

In my experience, electric PAS isn't a good move. Gives a very poor feel. If you did fit it, I think you'd want it speed sensitive, so it doesn't bother assisting at speed, or only very slightly.

The BX has one of the best PAS set-ups out there I reckon, so I wouldn't bother with anything else.

[Kitch]

You'd be better off using a Saxo electric PAS pump and the original BX rack/ram etc, though you'd need to change the seals as the pump won't run on LHM (for long) and the seals won't last with DIII.

[BX Meteor]

plus be good at measuring, cutting and welding

sounds scary to me on a steering system ...... .....

[Mickey taker]

the rally controller includes an adjustment knob for sensitivity,from what i understand you could possibly get away with one cut and weld (to join the bottom of corsa column to bx column )

[Vanny]

FDV, couple of pipes and a PAS rack, would seem silly to use an unreliable electric pump when you already have an unreliable mechanical pump in the car?

[citsncycles]

Surely there's enough BX's still out there that you can find a PAS equipped car with something like the engine / trim levels you want?

Alternatively, if you find the perfect car except for the lack of PAS, there are enough cars out there beyond economic repair that you could cannibalise one for the parts to retrofit a car. Not only are the parts going to fit, but it'll have less effect on insurance premiums and will make the car easier to sell should you wish to do so.

If you want to fit a non standard system, why not go the whole hog and fit DIRAVI

[Stinkwheel]

As an aside, why is a BX without power steering so undesireable?

Ive had 3 without, my current one is without, all the non PAS cars had the thinner 165 tyres. It really isnt heavy at all if your actually moving, even if only at 2mph.

Not to mention, less strain on hydraulics etc

Just to play devils advocate you understand

Edit: Drive my cortina with 205 tyres on and no PAS. Thats heavy

[Defender110]

I understand the lighter petrol engines are ok without PAS, I grew to hate my TGD (165 tyres) without PAS and would never consider another. IMHO No PAS with the heavier diesel engine just ruins the otherwise relaxed drive of the BX.

I've only ever had one diesel without and never driven a petrol version without.

[BX Meteor]

/\ I've only ever had 1.6 petrols.

Our first '88 one did not have PAS.

The next one did have PAS, and as pointed out, I could hardly tell the difference. Considering the FDV and other bits, I think a 1.6 petrol is better without, hey I might even swap all the gubbins on my one with the set up Mick/susan has

[citsncycles]

I understand the lighter petrol engines are ok without PAS

The 14 I had was so light on the steering compared to my GS that for the first 4 days I thought it DID have PAS

I guess it's down to what you're used to - with it virtually impossible to buy a new car without PAS more and more people will feel unassisted steering is too heavy.

[Mickey taker]

wasn't sure how hard retro fitting bx pas to a non pas car was and what cost was involved.

The chap who came over has four classic cars and is looking into this as an option but I had never heard of the idea hence the thread,

Evidently the idea of cut and welding steering colums is nothing new and is often used by hot rodders

[Tim Leech]

I must admit power steering makes the BX a much nicer car to drive, most cars left now have it anyway? All Mk2 1.9D's and all TD's have it as well as all 19 petrols, just a few of the more basic Petrols, it seems most of the 1.6's left now are Meteors/TXS models which also have it.

To fit I expect the best is as vanny says to retro fit a used system off a breaker.

[Dollywobbler]

Matt's St Tropez really did make me drop my previous 'all BXs must have PAS' stance. I'd only go that far with the petrol engine though! Diesels are an entirely different matter.

[bx petrol auto saloon]

Dear Susan.
I would after working for 8 years on Vauxhalls '93 to 2001. I was
there when they introced electric steering boxes on the Corsa C,s.
It was and still is very very dangerous don not use these parts ever.
they suffer with the car being able to turn the steering wheel to over-
take a car, and then the steering wheel seizes and will NOT RETURN TO
THE CENTRE POSITION FOR LOVE NOR MONEY. I was the only guy in
the workshop that could change them, as you need to be double-
jointed and enjoy laying on your back for 2 hours to change them as they
are fiited above the pedals and are impssible to get out as they have to
be rotated by 360 degrees to get the box out and they are very very
heavy indeed.
Vauxhall still have this problem today, which is why my wife drives
an Astra NOT A CORSA, They have had that problem for over 10 years
now and still have not cured it
Vince.