Electronic power steering progress.

Front axle, springs, shock absorbers, wheels, bearings, calipers, drums...
Tuning: suspension, discs, alloys upgrade...
NO parts requests here, please use our V3M BUY & SELL corner
User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 19 Mar 2017 12:24 am

I have been beavering away at installing the Easysteer rack and tested it today. It seems to be working well, or at least when the rheostat knob is turned towards maximum, the steering is very, very light, even at standstill. I could only run the car for a couple of minutes before it ran out of petrol, so I will try again tomorrow. Interesting times because the Dr advised not to drive at the moment so getting petrol means using a jerry can and going to the garage by train or taxi (the latter would seem best if carrying petrol, officer) - even more interesting because the people I talk to think I am mad to be taking Dr's advice, but then the Dr thinks I am mad, too, so its a vicious circle. Still, perhaps some progress has been made...
eps_1.jpg
eps_1.jpg (75.08 KiB) Viewed 9734 times
eps_2.jpg
eps_2.jpg (67.91 KiB) Viewed 9734 times
... anyhow, I hope to make all the electrical connections proper and start to reassemble everything in the next couple of weeks. Note, I had to use a heat-gun to re-shape some of the ducting, but apart from that the fitting all seems to be great. Maybe it'll be ready for that critical date in early April, MAC take note, but I am serious.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Ride_on
Posts: 2262
Joined: 26 May 2009 05:34 pm
Location: Belfast, N. Ireland

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by Ride_on » 19 Mar 2017 03:03 pm

More information! How does connect to the rack, how much etc
1980 345 DL_______1987 360 GLE (project car restored to GLT spec and B230FT'd)
1984 360 GLT______1987 360 GLT
1983 360 GLS______1989 360 GLE
1985 340 GL_______1986 340 1.4
1985 360 GLS______1995 940 SE 2.3 Turbo Estate (daily)
1987 340 GL 1.7

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 19 Mar 2017 03:16 pm

Hello

From memory they quoted about £450 but haven't checked since it was a few months ago. The bottom of the column slots into the universal joint in the footwell. Rick at easysteer did the mods - I would call him. I will post some more photos asap. Cheers, bogs.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 20 Mar 2017 12:12 am

Part way there...
part_way_there.JPG
part_way_there.JPG (72.11 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
ecu.jpg
ecu.jpg (93.54 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
dog.JPG
dog.JPG (59.72 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
... and here are some views of the underside of the steering column...
under1.jpg
under1.jpg (52.44 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
under1.jpg
under1.jpg (52.44 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
under2.jpg
under2.jpg (61.11 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
under3.jpg
under3.jpg (61.6 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
under4.jpg
under4.jpg (79.41 KiB) Viewed 9720 times
... hope this helps. I took the car through a couple of three-point turns in the garage yard and it does work well with the rheostat set about half-way or more.
Attachments
under5.jpg
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 26 Mar 2017 11:58 pm

It looks promising now. I filed one side of the hole in the plastic mounting bracket for the switches and it is now held on to the column by the screw and some Sugru, for luck. I will try to complete re-assembly in the next day or so and let you know. It all looks pretty promising and makes a huge difference to the feel of the car.
Picture 019.jpg
Picture 019.jpg (53.15 KiB) Viewed 9688 times
Last edited by bogbasic on 27 Mar 2017 09:43 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

360beast
Posts: 873
Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by 360beast » 27 Mar 2017 07:02 pm

Brilliant work, hope all goes well :)

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 27 Mar 2017 09:40 pm

Thanks for the encouragement!! I just need to re-mould the fibre cover that goes under the dash-board so that it fits around the base of the electric motor. I still need to refit the steering wheel properly and must check if the horn still works because the Easysteer man said that I might need a wireless one!!
back_together_almost.jpg
back_together_almost.jpg (66.67 KiB) Viewed 9673 times
Picture 013.jpg
Picture 013.jpg (68.75 KiB) Viewed 9672 times
One final technical trick that I forgot to mention is attaching the ECU box to the wiring loom with a couple of Wilko's best self-releasing cable ties (;-0) and note also the intervening bicycle handle-bar grip as a bit of padding to protect the wires which is held on with some tape for good measure.

Another quick check today in the yard showed that it all works well and the Sugru seems to be holding fast.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 28 Mar 2017 10:59 pm

Dosing the fibre-panel that goes above the driver's footwell with hot water and re-shaping it over a pudding bowl followed by weighing-it down with a couple of bricks has allowed it to be re-fitted reasonably well. The steering wheel has been aligned and torqued-up. All seems to be awesome and even the horn works.
soundinsulation.jpg
soundinsulation.jpg (57.53 KiB) Viewed 9664 times
The rheostat is left showing for now but will be put out of view when I am happy with the setting - currently it seems best to leave it at about the 3/4 mark. Hope some of this helps.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 30 Mar 2017 10:10 pm

I forgot to mention its all running from a nice little 40 Amp fuse...
fuse.jpg
fuse.jpg (71.17 KiB) Viewed 9646 times
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 13 Apr 2017 11:47 pm

Converting other 1.7 now. Not so elegant removal of the ignition switch backplate is in progress...
ultrablue 002.jpg
ultrablue 002.jpg (65.1 KiB) Viewed 9577 times
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

360beast
Posts: 873
Joined: 27 Dec 2013 08:40 pm

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by 360beast » 14 Apr 2017 11:38 am

Good stuff, if you don't mind me asking how much does it cost and is there still a positive feedback from the wheels?

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 14 Apr 2017 02:14 pm

Well, I am only doing small runs in the yard but the steering feels just like the factory PS on the 360 or lighter. There is no tax or MOT on the car but if you want a crawl round the yard (NB the front of the car in pieces) to test it sometime, just drop me a line. The column was £470.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 19 Apr 2017 10:13 pm

Its all a bit more apart now with the ignition switch and column bracket removed.
ultrablue_column_out 029.jpg
ultrablue_column_out 029.jpg (86.65 KiB) Viewed 9530 times
For replacing the relays, here are some notes.
ultrablue_column_out 033.jpg
ultrablue_column_out 033.jpg (41.35 KiB) Viewed 9530 times
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 11 Jun 2017 11:26 pm

Hello again, long gap in comms. Here is the latest set of photos showing the new EPS being fitted to the beautiful deep blue 1.7...
20170609_204013.jpg
20170609_204013.jpg (81.34 KiB) Viewed 9312 times
20170609_203957.jpg
20170609_203957.jpg (84.77 KiB) Viewed 9312 times
20170609_203913.jpg
20170609_203913.jpg (83.73 KiB) Viewed 9312 times
20170609_203903.jpg
20170609_203903.jpg (84.33 KiB) Viewed 9312 times
... so far so good.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

User avatar
bogbasic
Posts: 1861
Joined: 21 Nov 2004 10:12 pm
Location: New Malden, Surrey.
Contact:

Re: Electronic power steering progress.

Post by bogbasic » 17 Jun 2017 10:55 pm

Hello again folks, a bit more progress on the power steering for the deep blue beastie.
20170617_191418.jpg
20170617_191418.jpg (67.05 KiB) Viewed 9270 times
20170617_191442.jpg
20170617_191442.jpg (66.24 KiB) Viewed 9270 times
It is all wired in and seems to work well when tested, so it shouldn't be long now.

N.B. I think I had the black and white wires the wrong way round at this point which causes the power steering not to work. I also remember that one of them had to be connected elsewhere in the end to make sure that the PS only came on when the ignition was switched on, otherwise it stays on all the time and presumably drains the battery or knackers itself in no time at all. So whilst the black and white wires look wonderful slotting into that connection block, it is actually incorrect to wire it this way, sorry!!
Last edited by bogbasic on 01 Jul 2017 10:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
1988 340 1.4 GL, 218k, 5 door (Grey Bess). Gone to CBA.
1991 340 1.7 GL, 64k, 5 door, petrol blue (Deep Blue).
1988 360 2.0 GLE, 140k, 5 door, ocean blue metallic (Blue Bess).
1989 340 1.7 GL, 108k, 3 door (Red Ness).
More info here!

Post Reply