Does anyone know if you can retro fit some form of power steering on a 1984
1.3 Maestro?

I know the car isn't worth much but it is my Mum's and she loves it, just
now having diffculty lugging it around.

Cheers
Rob

"Kalico" <rd (AT) kalico (DOT) spam> mumbled:

There's not particular reason why not. The PAS rack off any of the other
models (and for that matter the Montego) will fit, the steering geometry
is said to be the same (at least, there's not difference in the part
numbers of things like hubs and so on).

The hardest part is going to be fitting a PAS pump to the A-series
engine, but I've seen an A-series Metro adapted like that so it can be
done. I guess it'd be a lot easier on the Maestro 'cos there's so much
more room. And of course, making sure the pump's going the right way
rond!

First thoughts would be to get a second waterpump pulley and mount it
over the existing one only the other way out. That'd give you a well
centred pulley (you can use the existing four bolts) and offset the
thing well clear of the rest of the engine. The pulley's a little
small...it's possible that it'd turn the PAS pump slower than ideal, but
then I ran the wife's old petrol Maestro at about 500rpm so that it
didn't creep forwards on the auto box and the PAS still worked fine
then.

Then some welding using canibalised bits and I reckon it'd take you an
afternoon to make up something robust and perhaps another hour or two to
swear at the bolts that hold the rack on 'cos they're hiding under
something.

The only big cloud on the horizon would be whether the exhaust leaves
enough clearance...but the, thinking about it, the engine's the other
way round in a Maestro, so the downpipe's at the front and should run
well under the rack.

Hmmm, should be possible and cost not much more than the rack and pump
if you're handy with a welder and a grinder and don't mind improvising.

--
Skipweasel:- There's an old proverb that says just about whatever you
want it to.

Guy King wrote:

How about using an electric pump? A quick walk around a scrappy
reveals many new small cars making use of them (Pugs in
particular), and it would mate directly to pretty much any rack.
As long as the alternator has enough output of course.

--
Grunff

Grunff <grunff (AT) ixxa (DOT) com> mumbled:

Hmmm, good idea. You'd have to make darned sure the electrics are well
installed, but yeah, that's neat.

--
Skipweasel:- There's an old proverb that says just about whatever you
want it to.

"gaz" <@btinternet.com> wrote

Already done that Gaz. If I put any more in it could run on rails. Also,
if she had an accident there could be questions.

Thanks though.
Rob

"Guy King" <guy.king (AT) zetnet (DOT) co.uk> wrote

might give it a go since otherwise it is going to the scrappy's. Pity since
it runs a treat and has only 38,000 miles on it from when we got it new.
But I doubt anyone would pay anything for it.

The thing is that my Mum has just had an operation and cannot easily turn
the wheel. I bought her an Escort with PAS but forgot about it being 2 door
and she has difficulty turning round to pull the seat belt forward. Doh!
Plus, she doesn't like the spoiler on the back. Just cannot please some
people.

The MOT is up on this Maestro and unless PAS is an easy option there is not
much sense throwing good money after bad. I'll ahve to see how much I could
pick the PAS rack up for. At least, like you say, there is loads of room
under the lid, not like the disposable cars we have nowadays (rant! ;-)

Thanks for the advice anyway.
Rob

PS. IF anyone wants a mint Escort 1.8 Si 2 door 1998/R, please let me know.


--
Tel. 07010 703 702
rd (AT) kalico (DOT) spam
Replace SPAM with ORG to reply

Kalico wrote:
Have you considered getting a power steering column (rather than rack)
from a small fiat or vauxhall?

MrCheerful

Grunff <grunff (AT) ixxa (DOT) com> wrote


Slightly OT for this thread, but is all electric power steering as horrible
as the Puntos? Seems bloody awful compared to the steering feel in my Ka
(though it is much lighter than the Ka's steering).

Doki wrote:

Don't know - I've never actually driven a car with electric
power steering - just seen them in scrap yards ;-)

In what way is it horrible? Judder?

--
Grunff