Adjustable power steering

[PW@Woodsport]

I thought this deserved a separate discussion thread to my V8 build. I managed to make a hybrid steering column for my Mk1 using half Mk1 and half Vauxhall Corsa parts, a pretty big achievement given the parts are from two different makes.

I have been asked a lot in the past if PS is possible on a Mk1, from people who compete in gymkhana events, older owners who have trouble steering at low speed and owners who run bigger road wheels and smaller aftermarket steering wheels.

A few years ago i retro fitted a Mk2 PAS system onto a Mk1 using a USDM rack, turned upside down, and then fitted all of the Mk2 pump and control system, it worked but it was heavy and made the Mk1 feel funny to steer. There was no adjustability in that setup at all.

This time around i have used a system that can be totally turned off and will just act and feel as a normal Mk1 does or it can be varied right up to full PAS with a turn of a dash mounted knob. It also means all of the stock Mk1 switchgear, ignition barrel/lock and cowling all looks and works as before, to the man in the street it's a normal Mk1 and with the PAS turned off still feels like one.

Here is the new hybrid corsa/mk1 column....



At the moment it only fits my V8 project due to needing to modify the dash area around the steering column a little, but i might take the idea further if enough interest is shown.

All comments welcome...

[cartledge_uk]

Nice work

What does it look like in situ?

[PW@Woodsport]

It looks the same as a Mk1 column except it has the motor sticking out, but that is hidden behind the lower cowling.

I have to make some mods to the plate that runs alongside the stereo housing, and also to the dash frame, but not a lot else.

I have a custom lower knuckle joint to make that runs from column to rack as well.

I think the real beauty of this setup compared to a Mk2 system is that when it's turned off the steering feels exactly as before.

[IanClements]

Have to say I've been cursing the way my arms ache after a blast in the 2 these days, I had to wear an elbow strap for a recent tour of Scotland so would be interested to see how this develops Paul.

[PW@Woodsport]

No problem Ian, i will update as i go along, but to be honest it's all done, the hybrid column works and with the motor turned off just feels like a normal Mk1 steering.

With the motor set to its lowest setting it just takes the heavy edge off, and with it set on full the effort needed is minimal.

I don't think it is ever going to be a kit as such, due to needing to make slight alterations to things under the dash, but certainly something we can fit in future without too much difficulty.

I will also do some sort of article/how to fitting guide so that the man at home can go out and buy the required parts off ebay etc and do the mod themselves.

Out of all the things i have invented for Mk1's over the years this one really does bring them bang up to date, the new Corollas etc all have this same system and hopefully the purists will also like having an optional power steering knob on the dash. I also think it can be made to work in full auto speed dependant mode by hooking up to the speed signal and tacho outputs, so ultimately it will have three modes of operation...

1. Off altogether, just feels like any Mk1
2. On with manual control of a fixed assistance throughout all speeds
3. On with it auto adjusting the assistance as speed rises.

Of course the people that don't like what we do will always hate it, even if it is an improvement , a bit like the manual chokes or brake upgrades

[Tiger Tim]

I used to compete in Autotests with a mini for many years & could hardly lift my arms after a competition due to the wide sticky tyres & lack of power steering. I've retired from competition but go to spectate occasionally. I've noticed that guys are also using the Corsa power steering on the Minis. It would have made my life easier & narms less sore if we had that a few years ago.

Tim

[bobbyh]

Nice bit of engineering. You could label it the 'Girlie button' btw!

[foxy-stoat]

Just like in the Puntos !!!

[aw11rally]

You are a true automotive genius Mr Wood. The Escort rally boys have been using the Corsa electric PAS for a few years but making it fit an AW11 deserves a medal.

Keep up the good work.

What next? 'hybrid synergy drive' running electric motors on the front hubs???

[PW@Woodsport]

@ "girlie button" , it's actually a knob, but i don't think we can call it the "girly knob" , just sounds all wrong!

Aw11rally i think making it fit a Mk1 has been begging to be done for years, i think it is what Toyota would have done back then if they had the technology, because they are doing it to everything these days.

I think it is only strictly needed on cars with bigger wheels and smaller steering wheels or for people who struggle with parking etc.... but i love the way it can be turned off as if it isn't even there.

I think the next Mk1 project might be something like an ABS equipped car, which can be disabled at the touch of a button, definately do able.

[PW@Woodsport]

Updating this thread...

The power steering conversion has been a huge success, check out the video of it working...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ee7QUp5z8

If enough interest is shown i am going to look into producing this as a bolt on kit.

[ikarl]

interested

[loudandproud205]

its a great bit of kit i know of people that have removed there OE PAS and replace it with the corsa item due to the extra weight loss and better function

[feral4mr2]

Updating this thread...

The power steering conversion has been a huge success, check out the video of it working...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7ee7QUp5z8

If enough interest is shown i am going to look into producing this as a bolt on kit.

apart from the sound track in the background that is awesome. i have a mate down here that would like power steering.

[PW@Woodsport]

Thanks, it is one of those mods that has really worked out well, i can park the car with fingertip control even with a stonking V8 and huge tyres, it has transformed it.

Not sure how necessary it would be on a stocker though, but i do get the odd email from owners saying they find their Mk1 a bit heavy at parking speeds.

On the V8 Mk1 though it's one of the best things i've done, it was a brute to manoeuvre when it was non assisted.

[bobbyh]

[quote="PW@Woodsport"]
I have been asked a lot in the past if PS is possible on a Mk1, from people who compete in gymkhana events,......


WTF?

[PW@Woodsport]

Gymkhana is a type of motorsport practiced in an increasing number of countries. Similar to autocross, gymkhana courses are often very complex and memorizing the course is a significant part of achieving a fast time.
Gymkhana events are time and/or speed events in an automobile. These can feature obstacles such as cones, tires, and barrels. The driver must maneuver through a predetermined "track" performing many different driving techniques. What separates gymkhana from traditional autocross events is that the gymkhana requires drivers to perform reversals, 180 degree spins, 360 degree spins, parking boxes, figure 8s and other advanced skills. Drifting is also encouraged where helpful or necessary. Essentially, a gymkhana is any event featuring a starting point, a finish line and some sort of "obstacle" to get through, around, or by, all within a time limit.

[cartledge_uk]

Gymkana is a faster version of the uk's autosolo's

[Chunky Monkey]

Paul, could you not mount the corsa part either upside down, or back to front to put the motor on the other side of the column? Is there not better room for it on the other side?

[PW@Woodsport]

Good point, I looked at all ways to mount it, if you swing it over the other side (180* from where it is now) the motor ends up on top of the column rather than under it and hits the dash support frame pretty badly. Now you could lower the column a little to overcome that, but unless your seat is a bucket type bolted straight to the floor or you're 5ft tall it will be too low to get it to clear everything.

On the left hand side it only fouls the stereo bracketry in a small area, so i just needed to cut away part of that to get a perfect fit, it was the lesser of two evils.