Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

[CompoSimmonite]

I really need power steering (health reasons).
Has anyone ever successfully fitted power steering to a Marina based Roadster? I assume Corsa C is the way to go.

Paul H

[scott h]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

There is a really good section in Mike's Cabrio build on fitting the corsa unit to his car. After reading it I was inspired to try the same on my Berlinetta. I got a unit on Ebay and tried it for size, it is quite large and there is no way it would fit in the pedal box area. The only possibility is in the engine bay. I assume that there will be even less room in the Roadster.

The unit resting on top of the pedal box for size comparison.

555.jpg

May fit in the engine bay like so.

570.jpg

[stevejgreen]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

I think Scott has it right, it's a question of size. Thats not to say impossible, but negotiating around the pedal box could be accomplished with a remote servo etc, but you might be hard pushed to leave clearance. You would probably need a bigger alternator/battery to account for the additional current draw.

Not impossible, but very near to being so, but inevitably financially crippling, not that that stops many.

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Managed to get a Corsa D power column off eBay for £19.99 including P&P. This was a buy now and not auction. At that price nothing much to loose so intend having a play. Different to the more normal Corsa B & C units people adapt. Tilt column so am going to try and keep this function. To suit my access needs I intend raising the A posts 3-4" so fingers crossed the power column and be incorporated into the alterations.


Paul H

[neiltechspec]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

There must be an older car somewhere that uses a hydraulic rack that could be adapted I would have thought, fitting a pump would be relatively easy.

Neil.

edit: the more I thought about this, the more curious i became. Triumph front suspension would be easy to PAS, a Stag rack & pump would fit fairly easily (went out to the garage & offered up my spare stag rack).

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Grrr.
Had message from seller this morning. They "made a mistake" and can't sell for that price "but have plenty of others" - costing a LOT more ! Needless to say I want a refund asap and will be giving appropriate feedback.
Might look into a power rack with electric rather than engine driven mechanical pump (easier to site and common on modern cars).

Paul H

[cameronfurnival]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Dont you hate it when they do that - report them to ebay as it's against their rules. Meanwhile I recommend a large diameter steering wheel

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

I don't know if it applies the same to modern racks but the older cars were "mix and match". For example the centre section of a RHD Minor rack is exactly the same as a LHD Spridget item ! It's just the tie rod length that is different (Minor wider). So, IN THEORY, if I can find a rack centre that is the same or similar dimensionally as a Marina item then there is a chance that the tie rods off another model could fit or even the originals shortened and rethreaded to take Marina ends. Just need to find an on-line source of rack details !

Paul H

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Dont you hate it when they do that - report them to ebay as it's against their rules. Meanwhile I recommend a large diameter steering wheel

I accept they made a mistake. However they are a reasonable sized breakers seeing them claim to have plenty of power steering columns in stock and large amount of other items for sale on eBay so would have expected them to "swallow the loss" seeing it was their mistake - and I'd already paid !

Paul H

[stevejgreen]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

You may struggle to find an alternative rack to fit a Marina. The rack sits behind the centre line of the front wheels, unlike a Triumph that is in front, meaning that the Marina rack is relatively upside down with the pinion above the rack, rather than below as in the Triumph.
Thats not to say impossible.

On the eBay issue, I would open a dispute with them that way everything goes on their records from the start.

[CompoSimmonite]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Just, a few moments ago, decided to complain to eBay. Not to get the item but rather so they don't mislead other people. Also annoyed that they haven't yet refunded. I know it hasn't been long however they were fast enough to tell me that they couldn't sell for the price I paid so in that case I expect them to be just as fast to refund.

I agree - doubt there is a suitable power rack. However if something of correct width and pinion position (to clear alternator) can be found but is intended for in front of the axle line then a LHD version would work when behind the axle line and turned upside down. This is what was done with the Minor / Spridget racks.
Quick look on eBay and search for electric steering column shows massive amount from various vehicles available for quite reasonable prices. If I went that route I'd want something that was relatively common and also a manual version available "just in case" !

Paul H

[scott h]

Re: Anyone fitted power steering to a Marina based ?

Grrr.
Had message from seller this morning. They "made a mistake" and can't sell for that price "but have plenty of others" - costing a LOT more ! Needless to say I want a refund asap and will be giving appropriate feedback.
Might look into a power rack with electric rather than engine driven mechanical pump (easier to site and common on modern cars).

Paul H

The unit I got from Ebay was £40 which was less than I expected, there were loads on at the time.