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MG MGB Technical - Power steering

Has anyone found out what steering rack is used in the kit?
Dave Lowe

Dave,

I believe it's a Peugoet/Citroen 207/307? Rack. They use a left hand drive rack upside down I think, because the steering arms on a front wheel drive car are to the rear of the hub and on an MG are on the front so you need to reverse the action of the rack. You would need to find someone who has fitted the kit and try and get the part number.

Not a simple conversion to do if you were thinking of engineering it yourself. You would need new rack mountings fabricated, to be attached at the correct position on the crossmember to maintain the proper steering geometry. not an easy task and unless you have something to copy would take quite a bit of development. You would also obviously need to fabricate some brackets for the pump unit or I believe it may be possible to use a modern electronic pump which could be remotely mounted and possibly adjustable for steering assistance which would be nice.

I have to ask why do you think you need it, on my V8 conversion I had problems with extremely heavy steering due mostly to a replacement Argentinian rack, which I tried adjusting to no avail and was thinking that I might have to go with a powered rack and did some research but I have just fitted my old rack which I had rebuilt and the Brown and Gammons de-castor kit and the improvement is enormous, we also took a lot of time over getting the pinion shaft to steering column alignment right.

My car has 195/65 x 15 tyres and is now much more managable to drive, but is still a little heavy at parking speeds but no longer feels like an old truck.

If you decide to go the power steering route I think you could put a kit together for £400-£500 which is a lot less than that other source of parts wants for its kit but you have to take into consideration that it's probably a low volume item and they had the initial development costs.

Let us know your thoughts.

Kevin.

Kevin Jackson

Thanks for the reply Kevin,why do I need it ? I have arthritus in my hand/wrists I find it hard to drive the wifes Micra!
Dave Lowe

Dave,

I hope you didn't take my question the wrong way, I was thinking that you might have had a rack, alignment or kingpin problem and this was making the steering too heavy. If you decide to do your own conversion I'd be happy to pass on any information.

For example any suitable size power rack with a short pinion for an extra u/j would make the pinion angle less critical.

Ialso looked at an MX5 rack which looked like it might have potential, but you would need to consider how it would mate to the steering arms on a 'B'

NF developments in Staplehurst Kent could possibly help with a pinion shaft to mate the column and rack.

Are you in the South East, I have a spare rubber Bumper crossmember in good condition which has just come off the car let me know if it's of interest.

Kevin.
Kevin Jackson

Not at all Kevin,thanks.
In the recent post your car looked great,lovely colour.(I am near you in Farnborough by the way).

Dave
Dave Lowe

Dave,

Thought you were not far away, and not sure that we hadn,t met, do you go to the Blacksmiths Arms, Cudham first Sunday of the month where a few of us V8'ers meet. I find it amazing that our American friends will travel right across their enormous country to meet up with fellow enthusiasts, and most of us have probably never met each other.

I'm quite intersted in the thought of producing a power steering kit at a sensible price, so if I can help please feel free to give me a ring 0208 309 6154.

Kevin.
Kevin Jackson

This thread was discussed between 14/04/2007 and 17/04/2007

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