Power steering
 

Hi everyone, what do we think about converting to power steering (I have an 1800E)? There's an electric conversion which looks good. They sent me the PDF of the installation instructions and looks reasonably straightforward.

I fitted an electric steering conversion from a chap in Holland to my 144. The steering is much lighter, great in the urban setting but awful on the open road, no feel and twitchy. Steering action always lags behind steering wheel input.

Maybe use the 164 power steering box ? However the steering isn't that heavy , if you are frail it might be a help . Have you checked that the suspension ball joints are not stiff ? New tyres and 35 psi tyre pressures help a great deal .

I've done the 164 swap several times. Not as easy as you think. Welding and rebuilding part of the frame is essential. Rebuilding the steering arms too, or do some billet ones. It's expensive.
The 144 power steering box will be more easy, if you find one.
And a special made of different boxes is the best you could find. I will need 3 different steering boxes to build 1, very expensive too. 2 of my customers are handicapped and didn't like the electric conversion. Now they are happy historic volvo drivers again.

I prefer the hydraulic services version very very much over the electric one.
The electric one will add a lot of stress to the steering gearbox itself. To find a proper working steering gearbox for a 1800 (or S/E) is even hard too.
And like George did mention, the electric conversion is a crap at the highway.

If you use a combination of hydraulic (164/144) and a electric driven pump, this will be the very very best combo.

Have a nice weekend, Kay

http://leonbirchall.co.uk/easysteer/index.html

Used the above when I rallied MK2 Escorts forthe road sections ..they do or have done Amazons and their prices are good.
I have not fitted it to my 1800s as I dont fond it a chore

Power steering
 

I have found a spare 1800 steering column in the loft. Doesn’t come with the brackets but of course you reuse your own.
This option at least retains the option of keeping your original one.
Option too to fit an 1800 wheel to a Amazon
PM me if interested
Russ

Power steering
 

I have found a spare 1800 steering column in the loft. Doesn’t come with the brackets but of course you reuse your own.
This option at least retains the option of keeping your original one.
Option too to fit an 1800 wheel to a Amazon
PM me if interested
Russ