Power Assisted Steering (PAS) is a desirable addition for our Triumphs. Stag owners and 2500S Saloon owners are the only ones to enjoy this aid to pleasant motoring. Modern cars, irrespective of their size and weight, have power steering. Once moving, power assistance is of little value. Parking speeds is where assistance is really appreciated. There are two methods to achieve a little worthwhile assistance. Well, three if you include a Bullworker course.
The picture (above) is of a standard hydraulic system which is powered by an engine-driven pump. It operates continuously. While the engine is running, so too is the pump. Yet it is only required when the steering wheel is being turned at slow speeds. Assistance, as pointed out, is only really needed when parking. So there must be a better system. Some cars already use an alternative - electric power steering. And there is a company investigating a system specifically for the TR7.
EZ Power Steering produces a system that uses an electric motor that power assists the steering shaft under the dash. It mounts out of sight and uses quality components. There is a clutch that prevents the steering from locking in the unlikely event that the motor should fail or seize. I have been in touch with the company to see if they have built a system specifically for the TR7. This is the reply:
HI Robert,
Strangely I have just returned from S&S preparations in the north of England who are TR 7/TR 8 specialists.
They have asked me to produce a unit for the TR 7 range. I am not sure where you are based I guess the states....from your e mail????
The unit will be developed over the next few weeks, could you let me know which side you ignition key enters as the column was available with the key on both sides......later cars had it on the right.
As far as prices go I am trying to keep it under or around £1,400.
The system will have a adjustable knob to allow you some fine tuning of weighted feel. It has a fail safe system built in and retains the collapsible safety feature on the column.
Kind Regards Mike Waters, EZ power steering UK
My TR7 has steering like a 1950s Mack truck. Even with a good dosing of lube it remains on the heavy side - a bit like turning the planet Saturn. With manual steering.
So I definitely need a helping hand in moving the steering wheel. Whether it is hydraulic (Rimmer Brothers has a kit including power rack, pump and mounts etc) or electric, like EZ Power Steering as above, it is needed. Many others drive TRs with very heavy steering and would rather not battle it around town. New, wider profile sticky tyres available today only add to the frustration of low speed driving and parking. Yes, of course you can always drive quickly. But can you park quickly?
Here are two alternative methods to man-handling your Triumph around town and cursing aloud. Of course your arm muscles may reduce in size but that's a good thing.
There is more. Tarni Reynolds from Triumphowners.com contacted me with her story on creating an effective power steering system for her TR7 to help overcome an elbow injury.
Here are the details of her system that is installed and works - and is substantially cheaper than any buy and bolt in system.
"The system is out of a Vauxhall Corsa, a popular car in UK. There was a A B & C version of this PAS. Only go for C. Others are problematic. So I found the Barina XC uses same here in OZ. Went to local wreckers and purchased the whole steering column, wheel included and had them cut off the wiring as far as they could.
The system is speed sensitive and needs an aftermarket controller (not too many electronics on a TR7). I came across a guy in the UK who sells matchbox sized controllers on Ebay so you can set it to a place you are happy with a small adjustable screw on the side. Comes with full wiring diagrams of how to install. Have a look at my link. You can see photos of the installation.
http://www.triumphowners.com/registry.cgi?section=triumph
http://www.triumphowners.com/registry.cgi?section=triumph&vehicleID=6&i=8>&vehicleID=6&i=8
Here is the current list on Ebay UK for Corsa C Steering. You can see systems and controllers boxes and they are much cheaper than what I purchased here.
http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=corsa+c+steering
Many thanks to Tarni for her contribution to this article.
If the links prove problematical - just go to triumphowners.com and you will be able to find the pictures there.
Rob A.