Thoughts on adding power steering to a N/A diesel D90

[psykokid]

I've got a friend with a normally aspirated diesel ex-mod D90 that wants to add power steering but doesnt want to rob any power from the already anemic engine by mounting a belt driven power steering pump. He's already got a power steering box sitting in the wings so i suggested he look into a electronic power steering pump. Mid 90's Toyota MR2's, later mini coopers and later volvos all have EPAS pumps that can be used in this application. The only time he really needs it is on trail, when moving the steering at low speeds or sitting still is quite the PITA.. Normally the units have a control box that adjusts the amount of pump pressure depending on a speed input from the gear box. Since this will be used mostly at slow speeds the plan is to wire up the pump directly using a relay with a switch on the dash. Power steering when you need it and none when you dont. I've seen this setup used on a few cars that had a belt driven power steering pump from the factory. Any thoughts on this? Trying to think of any negatives to this setup, and the only one i can think of is having to add a bigger alternator to supply more power as I dont think the stock 45A alt would be up to the task..

 

[LR Max]

Just add the power steering. I added power steering on my 2.25 gasser Series 3 and it IS THE BEST THING EVER. I CAN STEER. Off road, I get less feedback from the trail (some feedback is good, but every little dimple throwing the steering wheel all over the place sucks, and when it slams your elbow into the door its even worse). Around town, parking lots are manageable now. Just last week I had to go around a stalled car. No problem. Just turn the wheel. The 109 is down to 9 point turns as opposed to 31 point turns. HUGE improvement.

I remember off roading, and getting stuck in tight spots. If I was able to actually turn the steering wheel, I would've been able to get out of the situation. Now I can. Now I can get out of situations because my steering ACTUALLY WORKS.

There is no difference in power. I suspect the diesel can cope with adding a pump on it better than my 2.25 gas engine. I've heard people talk about all the theories of adding extras onto the engine as "power robbing" and "will destroy your performance". Yeah, I don't see any of that. I was prepared for a massive loss of performance when I went to power steering but I was ok with making the sacrifice. Imagine my surpise when I still had all of my power AND could turn the wheel.

I replaced my flimsy and crappy mechanical steering with a solid and proven power steering box. No more steering breakage or issues of being old and crappy.

Overall, go for it.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Regular power steering all the way. He won't notice that much if any difference. At highway speeds it's not really robbing any power. At low, manuvering speed you won't notice any power loss. I would bet the added load of a high output alternator would be as much if not more than a power steering pump.

 

[Red90]

It only uses power when working hard, so it will not affect engine power. It is the same setup as a 200TDI, so it is simple to add.

 

[Bastard 90]

My ears are burning. :smiley_drive:

 

[psykokid]

My ears are burning. :smiley_drive:

wonder why:sombrero:

 

[Bastard 90]

I've looked into the stock PS system but it's crazy stupid money. The bracket that holds the pump is over £200 alone and would still need to be shipped to the states. The pumps are £150 to £350. The pumps can be had here in the states for about the same money. Would still need to source hoses, tank, bolts and any other misc and the numbers just don't add up. If anyone has a line on some used stuff let me know as I'm all burning ears.

 

[psykokid]

ears burning? tried penicillin?

 

[Snagger]

I have a very heavy 109 with standard steering and a 95 RRC with PAS. There is a difference between them, but I find no problem manouvering the 109 from lock to lock at very low speed, and lock to lock stationary is a bit hard but not a big deal for me (I'm not a big guy and am not into any kind of exercise). My wife finds the 109 a bit heavy in tight spaces, but can cope. My view is that PAS is a nice luxury, but not worth the bother of retrofit and maintenance - the Adwest boxes used in Defenders tend to leak after a few years.

If you do fit PAS, though, go for the standard system. It'll be a lot easier, it'll be strong enough for the job and should be robust enough not to break completely on rocks. It'll have a negligible effect on engine performance, and any electrical system will also sap engine power via the alternator - all vehicle systems are ultimately powered by the engine, be it mechanically or electrically, and mechanical is usually more efficient than electrical as it needs fewer energy state transfers.

 

[LR Max]

Quick dumb question: How does the power steering system in...say...a 1997 Discovery 1 NAS V8 truck differ from a Defender power steering system? I could see the pumps being different (understandable) but other than that, I thought the chassis/running gears were extremely similar.

Anyway, just thought I would throw that out there. Seems like every 3rd party rover repair shop has a stack of dead discoveries sitting out back.

 

[I Leak Oil]

Stock PS box from a disco\RRC (used=cheap), canned ham pump from any parts store, build a bracket, new belt, new lines from a parts store. Even with the electric pump that was asked about the other items still need to be sourced. I'm guessing the net difference in $$$$ would be minimal when all said and done.

 

[Snagger]

Quick dumb question: How does the power steering system in...say...a 1997 Discovery 1 NAS V8 truck differ from a Defender power steering system? I could see the pumps being different (understandable) but other than that, I thought the chassis/running gears were extremely similar.

Anyway, just thought I would throw that out there. Seems like every 3rd party rover repair shop has a stack of dead discoveries sitting out back.

Should be the same except for the drop arm - Defender arms tend to use a tapered hole for a rod ball joint, while Discovery and RRC units tend to have arms with incorporated ball joints. The Defender arm will have a swan neck for the taller springs, too. The arm on the manual box may fit the PAS box anyway, but the Discover, RRC and Defender PAS arms are all interchangeable.

 

[Red90]

I've looked into the stock PS system but it's crazy stupid money. The bracket that holds the pump is over £200 alone and would still need to be shipped to the states. The pumps are £150 to £350. The pumps can be had here in the states for about the same money. Would still need to source hoses, tank, bolts and any other misc and the numbers just don't add up. If anyone has a line on some used stuff let me know as I'm all burning ears.

You need to find better suppliers. The bracket can all be had from a wrecking yard for nothing. They are the same as a 200TDI.... New pumps are around $200, but you could do used as well.