Fitting power steering to a N/A diesel Maestro.

[Lankytim]

Ive recently bought the diesel converted HL from the forum. Its a great car but the steering is very heavy thanks to the added weight of the perkins diesel lump. Is it easy to fit power steering from a donor vehicle? Presumably all I need to do is fit a power rack, pump, reservoir and assosiated pipework.... unless im missing something!

AFAIK the donor maestro with supplied the engine didnt have power steering, will there be a casting or bracket missing from the engine?

Thanks in advance.

Tim

[Lankytim]

I can't believe nobody has done this modification!?

[mgdavid]

you probably need to wait until E_T_V looks in...

[E_T_V]

haha. sorry not been on the net for quite a while.

The conversion is simple enough. PAS pump, pulleys, cover, tensioner and a plate that fits to the head. Then the pipework and PAS cooler (or make your own). You'll also need the rack of course and the plastic shroud that goes into the drovers footwell. Also you'll need the universal joint linkage that fits to teh top of the PAS rack as the PAS rack is larger than the normal one.

I think I had the last of the bits I needed for my van from mgdavid above! That was a TD but its exactly the same.

[Lankytim]

Thanks ETV, Im glad to hear its not too difficult! I'd imagine the best way forward is to find a complete scrap donor vehicle. Would montego parts fit? I actually need a few other diesel parts, including the front struts as my diesel currently uses 1600 petrol items!

[E_T_V]

Yes montego ones are the same (thats where my donor stuff came from).

[guussi]

stick on lower profile tyres on the front-i changed from 65's to 60's all round and that made one massive difference i also bought a leather steering wheel for better grab when parking-to me it felt like power assisted me steering!! :P

[E_T_V]

Lower profile tyres actually increase steering effort not decrease it (assuming that the overall tyre size remains the same).

[guussi]

well i thought that too but with lower theres less tyre flex and less tyre spread bulge on the tarmac-all i can say is from 65 to 60's the steering was thus transformed and was shed lots easier :p