power stearing ??

[billyboy1990]

i think ive found a car but its in lovely condition, gt tbar but its 1991 and it has no power stearing is that a big deal on these cars iv had a car with no powerstearing before, but is it a majour downside on the mr2?

cheers

[Lewis Jay]

Can be a problem when parking, bit more effort needed.

Everyday road driving its fine.

Lewis.

[Peter C]

Lack of power assisted steering was the main reason why I felt the need to move on from my Rev 1. The manual rack is too low geared and the steering is too heavy IMO. Also, the Rev 1 steering wheel is too big and ugly. Whilst it can be replaced with a Rev 2 / 3 steering wheel, you would have to mess about with the horn connections.

HTH

[MID LIFE CRISIS]

I never found no pas a problem on my rev 1 , come on , when parking you'll get a mini workout

Jayson.

[Peter C]

My issues with the lack of PAS weren't so much with difficulties during parking or low speed manoeuvres. I disliked the way the steering loaded up when driving at speed half way round a long bend. Together with the low geared rack, it seriously affected my driving enjoyment.

PAS makes light work of quick manoueuvers and retains plently of feel.

[GHOST]

Just be prepared to squeeze one out under duress when parking

I test drove one once that didn't have PAS but it was the rust that detered me from buying it. To be honest, once you're away you won't notice it and you'll get used to it quickly. Wouldn't worry mate.

[ChrisT]

I know you say you've had cars with no power steering before, but if they were small hatchbacks then there's a hell of a difference.

My old fiesta didn't have power steering and to be honest it didn't need it, but with a big heavy car like an MR2 with wide tyres you really do need it when parking / at very low speeds.

[HighwayStar]

I'm all in favour of no PAS.... It is fairly heavy at low speeds as Peter C suggests but just needs a little more effort. Once on the move I love it, very direct and positive, full of feel. Having driven later PAS cars I have to say I prefer mine but then there are other things with a car that age which will have a bearing... condition of suspension, bushes, what rubber it's wearing etc etc.
I found a smaller aftermarket steering wheel (330mm) made it easier also and really lets me 'boss' the car. No airbag to lose and no problem to fit.

R.

[Tasty]

I don`t have power steering , no problem , it`s easier to recover from a 360

[Greddy-Matt]

I disliked the way the steering loaded up when driving at speed half way round a long bend.

I thought the loading mid corner was down to the rev1 suspension and geometry rather than the lack of power steering? Either way not sure I'd go back to a non power steering MR2, mine was a right git to park with wide tyres and a little steering wheel, felt great on the move tho!

The other thing is I find power steering great for when you get into trouble, because the steering is light and needs less input, I find when things go pear shaped, I tend to over correct less than I did in the rev1.

[tommullin]

is the pas electric? i was tempted to put a switch in so i could use it in car parks but switch it off on the roads... anyone done this, or know if its possible?

[toxo]

Yes it is electric. IIRC grounding the PSCT pin on the ECU (rev3+) turns power steering off. There are no doubt plenty of other ways of doing it (switching the power to the PS relay in the frunk maybe?), not sure how the power steering system would react though!

Just for the record, I would not recommend disabling the power steering system. An unpowered steering rack full of PAS fluid will be a LOT heavier than one that was never intended to be powered in the first place. So much so in fact that having power steering fitted which is non operational is an MOT failure.

[Quigonjay]

if you stick to the standard 195's on the standard 15's you should be fine as far as parking is concerend
even on my pas car, just going from 195/15 to a 205/16 made it a lot heavier at parking speeds

[tommullin]

thanks for the quick response!... sounds like my plan to create a car with mk2 looks and mk1 feedback by only removing a fuse or wiring in a switch has been foiled then! its a rev1 3sge, its got 17's 205front and 235rear. im not overly bothered about heavy steering round car parks, but dont want it to feel like its trying to kill me everytime i get to a corner and have to turn the wheels!
i dont really want to change the rack either, so i guess ill get used to it instead!

cheers for your help!

Tom

[Andy F]

Dont forget the power steering is speed sensitive, i cant remember
at what speed it shuts off altogether but i bet its no more than 30mph??

[toxo]

Dont forget the power steering is speed sensitive, i cant remember
at what speed it shuts off altogether but i bet its no more than 30mph??

50MPH / 80KPH. Unless you've got a rubbish speedo converter in which case it will cut off at 80MPH IIRC

[Andy F]

Yer! sounds right
i probley should have said, wont be doing much at 30mph