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Post by Zed. on Mar 27, 2019 14:38:17 GMT
so, everyone seems to remove the factory powersteering setup.... when I bought my car the previous owner had removed the pas & replaced it with a manual (keep-fit) rack, while this is fine & works well I would like the assistance at low speeds & when parking (mostly for my mrs. as she's a bit smaller than me so it would make driving easier for her  ) also, I believe that the pas rack is a slightly higher ratio than the manual item so this would be a bonus.... I've been considering an EPS column system as fitted to most modern cars, I've fitted &used systems based on the Vauxhall Corsa column & their sensativity / assist can be adjusted using a potentiometer (aftermarket not OEM) and also switched on & off (for 'spirited driving' maybe?) so this type ticks a few boxes.... unfortunately, the corsa column's are getting expensive so I'm looking at other makes offerings, possibly Japaneese and wonder what might fit  the shortlist is narrowed down to a few Mazda and suzuki column's with a thought about a toyota item (depending on cost & whats available as this will be a bit of development.... will report when I've more ramblings to share  also, if anyone is interested, theres a pnp solution for sale in the US, can be found on FB & a few forums www.miataturbo.net/miata-parts-sale-trade-5/89-05-electric-steering-rack-adjustable-99280/naturally, i'm not looking at spending that sorta cash  www.miataturbo.net/suspension-brakes-drivetrain-49/eps-conversion-99286/gives an idea also... Rich. |
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Post by noobie on Mar 28, 2019 9:11:58 GMT
The original MX5 PAS system from an NB has the quicker steering rack and nicely judged steering feel. Why on earth would you invest a ton of development time to replace it? Imho time much better spent elsewhere.
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Post by Zed. on Mar 28, 2019 11:58:45 GMT
I do not have a pas system on the car, I'm looking at alternatives to the OE hydrulic system, it will sorta cost me the same for an EPS setup as an origonal pas rack / pump etc. so it's the 'extra' adjustability of the electric system that I'm interested in  I have my own workshop and machinery so making parts & fabrication is not an issue - just time Rich. |
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Post by noobie on Mar 28, 2019 12:27:23 GMT
I have my own workshop and machinery so making parts & fabrication is not an issue - just time Time that is so much better spent elsewhere... |
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Post by wannabe on Mar 28, 2019 18:59:20 GMT
To ask the question, what alignment are you running? Are you on wider-than-standard tyres? Taking off some castor might (should??) reduce steering effort, although I'm not sure if that's true at parking speeds. Equally, running 185/60/14s will probably be easier than a 15x9" rim... |
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Post by Zed. on Mar 28, 2019 19:24:18 GMT
195/50/15's on 6" standard Enkei 5 spokes? when driving, I find the steering is fine, parking is heavy-ish but acceptable - but my mrs gets a workout driving the car as to caster, its minimal, not extreme like I used to run on Sunbeam rallycars & my mk2 escort (but that was on compression-strut not standard escort setup) - had to steer OUT of corners! I'm not 100% sure on the condition of the manual rack / trackrods & ends or balljoints to be honest as they were on the car last year when I bought it, no play in them just heavy steering with wheels on the ground - light when jacked-up  just fancy pas and the option of turning it on & off as well as the adjustability of the electric systems beats the standard hydraulic pump & pipe 'leak-hazard' under the bonnet Rich. |
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Post by wannabe on Mar 28, 2019 23:12:53 GMT
Some people on the Cliosport forum have done EPAS conversions on older HPAS models, using the aforementioned adjustable assistance thingy - as you say, it means easier parking but being able to have good feedback through the wheel on road/track with it turned off. Whereabouts are you? Perhaps there's someone nearby with a depowered PAS rack that you / your wife could try out, to see the difference (noting alignment may well be different and make things feel very different!) IIRC the usual recommendation is to max out caster during an alignment, which seems to be about 5.5 degrees(??) but tbh I've been thinking about reducing that at my next alignment, as it is hard to get back once it's 'flopped over' on very tight manoeuvring (and, by extension, unintended crazy oversteer moments!). You could also tweak tyre pressures, maybe? I run 31 psi all round, which I understand is higher than many (most?) people run - but then my depowered rack is still a monster to parallel park in tiny spaces with my smaller than standard steering wheel... lol |
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Post by Zed. on Apr 28, 2019 13:21:06 GMT
so, I decided to buy a cheap eps column & have a lookse.... HYUNDAI I10 eps column on ebay for the huge sum of £29.99 posted hopefully it will be as in the photo with the control-unit & driveshaft / universal-joints as the uj's will make adaption so much easier  I've chosen this as... 1, its cheap so not a huge loss if it does not look like it will work  2, it looks like it's small enough to easily fit in the space available? 3, it's not a Corsa column - the corsa 'b' column's are commanding a premium price as they have been the mainstay of EPS conversions forever & are now getting somewhat screar canoe compared to a few years ago... Corsa 'C' column's are cheaper but can have issues as they are mostly 'adjustable' with a coupling in the shaft so not so easy to adapt? 4, because? luckily I have a spare '5 steering-column so can make a jig for the mount positions & maybe 'borrow' some parts now waiting to see what gets delivered  Rich. |
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Post by wannabe on Apr 28, 2019 18:50:22 GMT
Nice, will look forward to experimentation (and a photo guide for the conversion?  lol) |
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Post by ecksjay on Apr 29, 2019 9:48:09 GMT
couldnt you just have bought the OEM parts from a breaker for basically free?
I've got a shell here with all the PAS parts still in you could have had for nothing before it gets scrapped... no doubt there are thousands of similar breakers/shells about as its not exactly a desirable part on the used market
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Post by martiny on Apr 29, 2019 10:23:20 GMT
couldnt you just have bought the OEM parts from a breaker for basically free? I've got a shell here with all the PAS parts still in you could have had for nothing before it gets scrapped... no doubt there are thousands of similar breakers/shells about as its not exactly a desirable part on the used market £29.99 delivered sounds pretty close to free. Beer money for unbolting it all and sticking it in a box, a bit for postage and packing - there's not a lot left for the parts. Having said that, if this project turns out to be a winner you could find there's a bidding war for the EPS parts you have. Might be worth unbolting it before the scrappy takes it all.  <edit> D'oh. I think I misunderstood - thought eksjay had an I10 scrapper. |
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Post by Zed. on Apr 29, 2019 11:20:38 GMT
ecksjay , I've a hydraulic PAS system (or what I believe is most of...) from a 1990 NA MX5 in my shed but my intrest is to run a 'dry' system so no leaks & a simplified underbonnet (car has no PAS fitted currently as previous owner removed it  ) I was intending to retro-fit it but as I have no knowlege of it's operation it's a maybe not definately job..... the beauty of EPS is adjustability & being able to turn 'on/off' at will also, I like to fiddle Rich.
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Post by Zed. on May 1, 2019 15:22:04 GMT
well, collected a parcel from the local Postoffice depot this morning, bloody big thing it was contained a bit of a HYUNDAI I10 not had time to experiment yet but did manage a quick reference photo next to an NA 5's steering column   as you can see theres some fiddlin to be done, will consider this soon Rich. |
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Post by carl4x4 on May 1, 2019 16:23:35 GMT
That's a huge chunk of metal to find a home for, is there room above or below the column support?
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Post by Zed. on May 1, 2019 16:29:00 GMT
More random boredom (OR scientific reserch?)...... I had a 'spare' Momo Eunos steeringwheel boss, would be rude not to trial-fit it on the HYUNDAI I10 column splines  it fits! but, I'm going to investigate more as they seem to be a bit 'loose' will get active with the micrometers & measure before deciding if it's good or bad   more fiddlin & thinkin to be done..... Rich. |
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the shortlist is narrowed down to a few Mazda and suzuki column's with a thought about a toyota item (depending on cost & whats available as this will be a bit of development....
lol)
)
le sigh