power steering

[waggy052]

G'Day All
I own a bedford ice cream van located in WA As my wife gets older we were looking at a cheap power steering set up we found a b or c corsa/barina electric power steering fits with NO modification to the beddy rack and pinion. It fits in replacing the bedford colomn only This makes for no steering gear modifications at all only the column. I am going to use a barina complete column with all the switches key blinker switch and steering wheel. Just getting the auto sparky to change the wiring over

If you want to see the first beddy done with power steering its been done in englang. Type in bedford electric power steering in google and go to talbots and they have pictures of one that has been done already.
This is cheaper and easier to fit than transit and other concersions. It is adjustable and fits in after the colmn is lengthened in a couple of hours so the van is only off the road for a few hours not days with all the headaches that go with it. There are only 3 wires to connect up a constant power a earth and a wire from the ign to turn it on

Cheers Steve

[Merlin]

Guys a word of caution in regards to these electric steering units ,These units are designed for small light weight cars so the concern is when fitted to a Bedford with positive offset wheels (Mags ) that create more positive radius sweep when turning coupled with the greater weight of the van ( even running a six cyl ) could cause catastrophic failure of the unit .I have discussed this with my engineer and he concurs with me .Also I have heard that these units don't self centre very well with positive offset wheels . Anyway food for thought .     Cheers
 
 

[waggy052]

I have looked into the failure rates of these units and they are very rare. The weight problem as explained to me by the steering fitters in england that fitted the one to the 30 Cwt bedford Tipper is minimal difference over the front end as the corsa/barina has all the motor,gearbox, differntial over the front end not like the bedford. Yes food for thought but when I fit this unit to the van I will update the post . Also if the steering fails it will revert to standard steering. The shaft sizes are actually larger on the corsa/barina. Self centring was not a problem on the tipper only when turned on full lock and this seams to be standard on bedfords before any power steering is fitted. I was sceptical and still am but I will go in with a open mind. If it does not work I will just change it back  to the standard column not such a big job not like transit racks etc I am going to get a engineers report on the unit anyhow. The only unit that fits the weight/wheel problems is the Barina/corsa at the moment The suzuki,toyota and most other EPAS cars are not as robust and some /most have smaller diameter shafts and they will not pass anyhow

Cheers
Steve.