LHD to RHD Conversion

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:14 am

I've got a S3 coupe (auto) from the US to convert to RHD. The series of articles by Mike Cassidy on LHD to RHD conversions in the club mag are excellent and comprehensive, but don't mention any differences there may be between S2 and S3 cars. Is anyone able to shed light on what differences there may be - or are there none relating to a conversion?

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Tue Jun 25, 2013 11:36 pm

Nothing major , depending which model and spec S2. E.g. all S3 have under-trays and two wipers with the raked screen, whereas only the 2+2 does of the S2 models. Different steering wheel and of course standard power steering on S3.

Now's your chance to document the differences!

Pete

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:29 am

Thanks Peter. I'll look at documenting any variations as I go.

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:35 am

I think the hardest thing will be to sort the windscreen wipers so they correctly sweep the now drivers side.

Garry

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Wed Jun 26, 2013 2:40 am

Hi Garry - I thought I read somewhere that you can simply replace the wiper motor gear with a RHD version to fix that parking issue. Having said that, I have to replace the whole wiper rack as well because its worn badly. That's going to be a laborious job.

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:05 am

I am not sure - are the holes in the front panels on RHD and LHD cars the same??

Garry

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 4:32 am

Pretty much - but apparently the point at which the wipers cease operation and "park" is determined by the electrical contact on the face of the gear wheel inside the wiper motor. You can purchase this separately and i understand there's a difference between LHD and RHD gears.

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:23 am

I think you are correct - also I think RHD wiper arms are a little different to the LHD cars so RHD wipers arms will be needed.

Here is my RHD

And a LHD

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Thu Jun 27, 2013 5:39 am

Yeh - wiper arms are different but Barretts have them.

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Mon Aug 05, 2013 5:12 am

Garry,

Post script. re the wipers.

Changing from left park to right park turned out to be an absolute breeze. Just unbolted the wiper motor, carefully pulled it off the bulkhead, and disconnected the primary link to the wiper rack from the rotary link. Then removed the short rotary link from the shaft on the back of the wiper motor, turned it 180 degrees, and re-attached it. Connected it back up and bolted it on.

The really difficult bit was removing and replacing the complete wiper rack itself, as mine was stuffed. Anyway, patience won out and the jobs done. New wiper arms (for RHD) and new wiper blades.

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 7:43 am

Andrew - that is great. Glad it all went well.

Cheers

Garry

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Tue Aug 06, 2013 10:58 pm

Now I've just got to find a reconditioned RHD steering rack. Looks like this is going to be the biggest issue as those companies in the UK who have one won't accept my LHD rack in exchange for their RHD. Seems RHD racks are worth their weight in gold and are like hens teeth (few & far between)

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:13 am

I did read many many years ago that the LHD could be turned upside down and used as a RHD but some mods were required but I do not know what they are or if indeed the whole idea is a furfy.

Garry

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:01 am

Unfortunately it's a furfy. They aren't reversable and are quite different, hence the problem. I'll just keep looking.

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 1:11 pm

garrycol wrote:I did read many many years ago that the LHD could be turned upside down and used as a RHD but some mods were required but I do not know what they are or if indeed the whole idea is a furfy.

Garry

I hate to be restrained by stuffy outdated conventions but the issue is the same for any rack and pinion car.

You could easily remove/reattach or fabricate brackets and fix the rack to the car safely, but if you put your thinking cap on for a moment you'd see any inverted rack would suffer from the teensy-weensy problemette: Twirling the steering wheel clockwise would turn the car left, and vice versa....

Be a great anti-carjack aid but the MOT could be awkward. Or you could lace the wheel hubs eccentrically like a clown car and have the boot lid flapping up and down in time with wheel rotation like a demented Fangio Mercedes in the 55 Le Mans race. Anything is possible...

Pete

MarekH · Post by **MarekH** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 4:58 pm

To solve that Pete, you'd have to move the tie rod ends to the back of the steering uprights rather than the fronts and that'd mean moving the rack backwards about six inches - into the crank pulley and belts.

Alternatively, you could just ask which p/s rack was used on a Triumph Stag - in the back of my mind, I have a hunch it may have been the same rack..... (or check the Interceptor)

kind regards
Marek

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Wed Aug 07, 2013 7:53 pm

Too much trouble Marek.

Personally, I'd suggest anyone with a V12 battleship would do as well to weld the track rods to the picture frame. It wouldn't go round corners any worse :-) :-) :-)

Oh! I see this is the S3 forum

Marvellous idea Marek, marvellous!

and.nox · Post by **and.nox** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 12:16 am

Thanks gents - some great suggestions there?? Whilst I'd love to have a go at some of them, at this stage I'll just stick to doing things that work.

On that note, and requesting some serious well informed comments, I understand that some S3 racks had the pinion slightly off-set to the rack while others had the pinion exactly perpendicular to the rack. Can anyone advise which ones were used in which cars (ie earler v later or LHD v RHD). Secondly, what's the best way to identify them so I don't end up spending lots on the wrong rack?

PeterCrespin · Post by **PeterCrespin** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 1:51 am

and.nox wrote: On that note, and requesting some serious well informed comments, I understand that some S3 racks had the pinion slightly off-set to the rack while others had the pinion exactly perpendicular to the rack. Can anyone advise which ones were used in which cars (ie earler v later or LHD v RHD).

Never heard of that. Could be, I suppose, in view of the extra crash-test ironmongery the Federal 74 cars were afflicted with?

and.nox wrote: Secondly, what's the best way to identify them so I don't end up spending lots on the wrong rack?

Part number. I'd email a V12 expert like Stew Jones who does practically nothing else. www.jaguarv12etype.com

AussieEtype · Post by **AussieEtype** » Thu Aug 08, 2013 3:03 am

PeterCrespin wrote:You could easily remove/reattach or fabricate brackets and fix the rack to the car safely, but if you put your thinking cap on for a moment you'd see any inverted rack would suffer from the teensy-weensy problemette: Twirling the steering wheel clockwise would turn the car left, and vice versa....

Be a great anti-carjack aid but the MOT could be awkward. Or you could lace the wheel hubs eccentrically like a clown car and have the boot lid flapping up and down in time with wheel rotation like a demented Fangio Mercedes in the 55 Le Mans race. Anything is possible...

Pete

I did say I heard it a long time ago and that modifications were required - don't see what the problem is

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