PAS power steering

[superwoman]

What is the general opinion on PAS- who has it and who doesn't? Pro's? Cons?
Kat:confused:

[HMCA]

What is the general opinion on PAS- who has it and who doesn't? Pro's? Cons?
Kat:confused:

When we had the single cam engine we had it but removed it when we upgraded to the twin cam. The main reason was to reduce the complexity (just another thing to break) and it makes it easier to work on that side of the engine bay.

The P/s rack has a quicker ratio and some of the guys are running these racks without the pump. It does make the steering heavier then the non-power steer cars.

The main thing I noticed about not having assistance is that you really need to hang onto the wheel a bit more.

Cheers Mick

[Andrei]

I run PS rack without the pump. It is heavy, but is a matter of getting used to it. Two things to do if you go this way:

-drain most of the liquid (leave a bit for lubrication, but you can't drain it completely without dismantling a rack anyway);

-after you cut high pressure and return lines on the rack, join them in a loop, do not block them. That allows for air to go from side to side rather than compress and make your life harder.

[Latho]

I inquired with 'Ultimate Power Steering' here in Brendale about what would be required to do it properly, and explained the reasons why we wanted to go the PS rack... Apart from power steering, UPS also do alot of Race Car engineering outside of steering so have a good idea of what the go is!

Their was response was basically, do that to a heap of different cars (they rattled off a few, but the only one I can remember is the MX5), they said they turn up a bush to block something off (he lost me pretty quick), but yeah, its a properly doable thing. The price was i think around the $350 mark, converted to non-powersteer and obivoulsy serviced, which I thought was reasonable, but if there's enough interest I may ask about getting several done at a reduced price.

[Dave Scott]

I run PS rack without the pump. It is heavy, but is a matter of getting used to it. Two things to do if you go this way:

-drain most of the liquid (leave a bit for lubrication, but you can't drain it completely without dismantling a rack anyway);

-after you cut high pressure and return lines on the rack, join them in a loop, do not block them. That allows for air to go from side to side rather than compress and make your life harder.



Hi Andrei

Have you done many miles after converting yours ?

Dave

[Andrei]

Rack has done 1.5 seasons since conversion, 8 rallies plus Alpine, and I usually drive to most events as I don't have a trailer. Probably around 15K km?

[Crazy Dave]

I also use the rack without the pump since the beggining of 2006 and haven't looked back. It is one turn quicker than the non p/s rack which makes it quicker to catch when the rear end slips away. You don't really notice any difference on competitive but it is a bit heavier when driving around town, but nothing like when the rest of the pump is connected and the pump stops. In that case you are pushing all the oil through the system including the pump. Increasing the castor on the car also made it heavier and I thought both changes would have made it worse at khanacross and motokhana but overall I think it is better in all cases. Only worse situation is parking the thing at the shops. I will have to stop dropping in on transports to top up the chocolate, lollies and soft drink supply.:)

[HMCA]

. Only worse situation is parking the thing at the shops. I will have to stop dropping in on transports to top up the chocolate, lollies and soft drink supply.:)

And at the local Chinese for some short soup:rofl:

[MrBob]

Mine has P/S and I was wondering - is there any real reason you can't leave it in and functional? Is it a huge power drain or weight disadvantage? Does it stuff up alot?

If I did decide to leave it in, is there anything I could do to make it stronger/more reliable? Like better lines or more under car protection or different size pulley?

Just a thought.

[ernysp76]

Paul Batten has used the P/S both assisted in my car and un assisted in the Kangan car, he said he prefers the assisted (with pump), but then he turns the boost line around on the brakes as he prefers them non boosted.

So it is probably a mater of trying both and see what you prefer, its just a mater of taking the belt off until you decide.

[taxisvw]

Just a quick question.
Does the pinion shaft need to be replaced with a non PAS one to avoid all of the steering load being carried by the input shaft torsion bar?
I may be way off, but it's just a thought.

[Latho]

Just a quick question.
Does the pinion shaft need to be replaced with a non PAS one to avoid all of the steering load being carried by the input shaft torsion bar?
I may be way off, but it's just a thought.
yeah i think that was something that ultimate power steering were talking about... but i forget the exact details :(

[Crazy Dave]

, its just a mater of taking the belt off until you decide.

No No No. If you do this the steering will be very heavy as you are pushing the fluid around through the pump. If anybody is thinking I have driven a power steering car and the blet has broken or the pump has failed and this is what it would be like unassisted, you are totally wrong. Once you have removed the fluid down to at least where you are not pumping it from the pistons in the rack, then you will have your steering being marginally heavier than a normal non p/s rack. It is only a bit heavier because it is quicker and not the rest of the business that people are equating to heavy power steering. All it is once it is installed is a quick rack and no where near like a normal motorsport quick rack is either. It is a great option. but not a major change. From centre it is a half turn of the steering wheel quicker to reach the lock. Basically it just speeds things up a bit when you react to the car twitching sideways. Using it with pump installed is an option that some would like although it looses a bit of feel and gets very light but not to bad. Personal taste.

[ernysp76]

Thanks for that Whitey:clap: it will give us all more confidence in the idea, it does make sense from a feel perspective especially in the sloppy stuff.

I think there was a thread on this subject before I got some detailed advice on how to modify a PS rack but never followed through with it on my Excel. I know SEARCH is my friend but I have trouble with it from time to time.

[342Four]

what about a 2:1 steering quickner?
my boss uses one on his speedway car
or are they not allowed by the regs

[Whitey]

Thanks for that Whitey:clap: it will give us all more confidence in the idea, it does make sense from a feel perspective especially in the sloppy stuff.

:wtf: I have no idea what i did, BUT no worries john!!!:confused:

[ernysp76]

Sorry brain fade meant DAVE:crazy:

[Crazy Dave]

what about a 2:1 steering quickner?
my boss uses one on his speedway car
or are they not allowed by the regs

Not allowed:attack:

[Curly]

-after you cut high pressure and return lines on the rack, join them in a loop, do not block them. That allows for air to go from side to side rather than compress and make your life harder.

Is there an easy way to do this? Will I need a pipe bender or a tool to cut and flare the line?

Can anyone attach a photo of how they've done it?


Cheers!

[Andrei]

Is there an easy way to do this? Will I need a pipe bender or a tool to cut and flare the line?

Can anyone attach a photo of how they've done it?


Cheers!

There is no pressure in the system so cutting the pipes about 10 cm from the rack and joining them with the rubber hose from the original return line works fine.

[Mooa42]

This post has most of the questions covered.

http://www.excelrally.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=147&page=2&highlight=power+steering

IMHO it's a must do, and if you have good top bearings in your struts it isn't really heavy at all.