Electric Power Steering

[andrewh]

Apologies if the topic is out there somewhere, but I have not been able to find it. I was wondering whether anyone had fitted Electric Power Steering to a Series One? I am aware of the EZ system although I have not seen it in place, and I think E type Fabs may do one allegedly based on the EZ system. Interested to find out differing views and experiences. Someone mentioned to me that it involves a large hump being formed in the under dash above the knees to accommodate it. Not good given the lack of space there anywhere I would think.

[Hugo]

I have the EZ system, but at present it is still in a cardboard box! The very knowledgable sales rep assured me it would fit straight in without modification, but I haven't even looked to see if that is true. Now that you've piqued my interest, I might offer it up as the car is currently in bits, & see what the prospects are.
I have heard tales of having to create a gap in the shelf above the collapsible steering column (to allow room for the crush sleeve to expand in an impact) in certain circumstances, but I didn't pay enough attention to retain the details.
I am converting from a LHD hydraulic power steering set-up to RHD electric.

[baganz.sven@web.de]

Hi,
Here is a pic from an EZ steering I took in Essen this year.
It should give you an image about the size.
Sven

[Hugo]

That's weird - that picture doesn't look anything like mine. It's probably not a jaguar kit, but the electric motor seems to be missing - a fairly important component! I offered mine up against the car today & it seems to slot right in. I have a Series II convertible which I'm converting from LHD to RHD. It is meant to bolt into existing captive nuts 'nutserts' that are already on the car. I have three out of four - the fourth one is a blind 1/4" nutsert and I will need to knock that out & fit a 5/16" instead. Apart from that it looks a doddle. There is supposed to be provision for adjusting the amount of assistance to the steering, but I don't seem to have that. I do have a spare three-pin plug on the ECU thingy however - maybe that's it?

[Hugo]

[quote="Hugo"]That's weird - that picture doesn't look anything like mine. It's probably not a jaguar kit, but the electric motor seems to be missing - a fairly important component!

When I opened my eyes I could see it was there, on the other side (left).

[bitsobrits]

I fitted the EZ system to help with the effort created by 6.5" rims and 215 section tires. Very happy with the results, and it only took me about half a day to fit. The unit is adjustable (I settled on minimum assist) and the assist is only apparent at parking lot speeds, which for me is perfect.

My only disappointment was that it prevented me from raising the steering column all the way to top of it's adjustment. It's now down about 1/2" from maximum top which may not sound like much but does reduce my legroom just a bit.

[politeperson]

Must say I am all for it.

These are my pics of the unit.

I collected an electric steering colum (complete) for a Vauxhall Corsa B and the control unit it needs to operate on any vehicle. This lot cost £200 ish and is sat in a box somewhere. I wonder which column Ez-steer are using. I cant remember what the Corsa unit looks like, but it is small and can be retro fitted to about anything apparently.

I might dig it out later today and take spme pics, as I am having another sort out.

[Hugo]

I fitted the EZ system to help with the effort created by 6.5" rims and 215 section tires. Very happy with the results, and it only took me about half a day to fit. The unit is adjustable (I settled on minimum assist) and the assist is only apparent at parking lot speeds, which for me is perfect.
My only disappointment was that it prevented me from raising the steering column all the way to top of it's adjustment. It's now down about 1/2" from maximum top which may not sound like much but does reduce my legroom just a bit.

How did you adjust it - I haven't figured that out on mine yet? And what is stopping it going higher - what is hitting what?

[Hugo]

[quote="politeperson"]Must say I am all for it.

These are my pics of the unit.

I collected an electric steering colum (complete) for a Vauxhall Corsa B and the control unit it needs to operate on any vehicle. This lot cost £200 ish and is sat in a box somewhere. I wonder which column Ez-steer are using. I cant remember what the Corsa unit looks like, but it is small and can be retro fitted to about anything apparently.
I might dig it out later today and take spme pics, as I am having another sort out.

I'm not quite clear - what are these pics of? You got a Vauxhall unit for £200? I think my EZ steer complete unit cost me £2,800!

[Hugo]

I think I've answered my own question - I just looked at a link on another Forum page, and it tells me that the EZ Steer system is automatically adjusted, by means of a speed sensor in line with the speedo cable. Apparently the system doesn't engage when the car is stationary, but kicks in as soon as the car starts moving. I infer from this that if your speedo cable breaks, you have no power assistance - which is not a disaster of course - it just reverts to manual.

[politeperson]

Morning Hugo, soor to confuse you.

The Corsa B colum is sitting in a box somewhere with a control unit that I purchased separately 3 years ago for an MGB V8 (that car got sold before I fitted everything).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Vauxhall ... Sw-itXqdNf


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Corsa-B-C-Ele ... SwpDdU-hqE

This box can be set to give constant adjustment or you can attach a windmill to the drive line, attche a hall sensor and program the unit to give 3 levels of variable assistance depending on speed.

The pictures were taken at the NEC car show. They are of the "Jaguar" unit. How the "Jaguar" unit is created and from what parts I do not know.

I will have another look today for the Corsa B bits for comparison.

[Hugo]

That's ok, it doesn't take much to confuse me! Your pics are of the other electric system made by ???? (other than EZ Steer that is). It is slightly different from mine, the main difference being that the motor in your pics is on the left and mine is on the right. I thought mine might get close to the side-wall but there's plenty of room. And mine has black brackets instead of the shiny ss ones in the pic.
Mine is automatically adjusted by means of a speed sensor, which as far as I can tell fits in-line with the speedo cable. I am a long way from getting the car on the road yet so it will be a while till I get to check it out. Meanwhile, like yours, it sits in a cardboard box somewhere.

[lestere]

A friend of mine has just fitted this to a TR7 and is pleased with the outcome.
He said there were no problems with the fitting. The amount of assistance is adjustable and nothing is visible under the bonnet.

[Johnbean]

Hello, has anyone got any further information on fitting electric power steering to a series 2 e type? It seems some people have tried to fit systems from Vauxhall Corsas or similar which are obviously much cheaper than bespoke systems but how difficult is it to adapt and does the column need changing and any programming issues etc.? 3k does seem a lot for Ezsteer, but? My garage is at right angles to the approach drive so very heavy at low speed,i e 0 mph. Any info welcome.

Regards,
John





Series 2 fhc sn 20130

[Gfhug]

John, I’ve not fitted any power steering but you must accept the bespoke systems have (probably ) had the teething troubles ironed out. Fitting something from another car will need you to do a lot of self designing and manufacturing of fittings, brackets, etc.
Have you checked your tracking, camber, caster? If they are a bit out it could be one reason for heavier steering.

Geoff

[lowact]

Have you changed your wheels? If they have a non original offset, of the rims relative to the hubs, the consequence may be significantly increased "scrub radius", heavier steering, increased tyre wear and instability under brakes.

[gtjoey]

The EZ power steering has a purpose built series 2 ,early and late.
Yes its more than the competition BUT, It transforms the car!
If yor car has a steering lock or not,they have both set ups.
Bob Kirk in the states had an early 69 and it works wonderful.
Call Will at SNG , he went through all the options as 5 of my friends and I converted.
ALL ELECTRIC NO DIAL,THE NEW UNITS ARE SELF ADJUSTING.
Wonderful piece of kit!
Goodluck.
GTJOEY1314

[chrisfell]

Haven't heard from GTJoey for a while. Coming back into the E-Type fold any time soon Mr Limongelli? You know you want to.

A cheaper but equally competent system is offered by Lite Steer. litesteer.com. I've driven a car fitted with this system. It was, however, a S1. I'm sure they will be able to let you know if they do a S2 compatible system

Was I convinced by driving a powered steering E to fit one to mine. Nope. Not even the recommendation of GTJoey could persuade me. I'll just keep eating spinach!

[paulsco]

Hi John,
I know I am a bit late to the party, but just thought I would let you know that I have built my own electric power steering column; the cost was about £500, but would probably have been a lot cheaper if I hadn’t had as many dead ends during the design and build.
It was not an easy build and fabrication skills and the use of welding equipment, pillar drill and a lathe would be necessary, although some of these tasks could be farmed out. With hindsight if you can afford the real thing then it is a much easier option.
I have a Series One and the hardest task was the designing and making of the horn push workings.
A Series Two would be much easier as it has the horn push on the indicator arm and also if a non-adjustable function was incorporated.
It works well and is controlled by GPS.
EZ make no secret of the fact that they use NSK and Kojo units to build their power steering columns because of the fail safe functions built in. The SNG library picture shows a NSK unit. I notice the one that Joey used in his posts on this forum is different to this, possibly because it is LHD and possibly because EZ use two different types on the E-Type. I suspect that his one is a Kojo unit.
The one I used is the same as the SNG one (NSK) and it is from a Vauxhall Agila 2000-2007 (external Torque sensor), also fitted to the Suzuki Ignis 2004-2007.
The column is mounted upside down, so one from a LHD car is necessary.















Paul

[mgcjag]

Very nice Paul....Great info.... Steve