It can be frustrating when you try to start your car and nothing happens. Maybe the battery is dead, maybe the starter is stuck, or maybe the electrical system needs to be fixed. In this article, we will walk you through the steps necessary to install electric power steering on an old car.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
-A car with electric power steering (EPS)
-A power steering pump
-A power steering fluid reservoir
-8mm drive socket
-10mm socket
-13mm socket
-Torx T30 wrench
-Socket adapter
-Pipe cutter
-High quality sealant
1. First, remove the gearbox cover by removing the 10mm bolts that hold it in place. If your car has a manual transmission, you’ll also need to remove the gearbox cover screw on the side.
2. Next, remove the gearbox oil cooler by unscrewing it from the engine block and pulling it out of the car. Note: Make sure you save both of these parts! You’ll need them later.
3. Open up the engine bay and locate the EPS unit. You will see two hoses attached to it—one black and one grey. The black hose goes to the pump, and the grey hose goes to the reservoir.
4. Detach both hoses from the EPS unit and discard them. Then, unscrew the EPS unit from the engine block using a 13mm socket.
Tools You’ll Need
In order to install electric power steering on an old car, you’ll need the following tools:
-Screwdriver
-Hammer
-Wrench
-Lug wrench
– Socket set
– Ratchet set
– 10mm socket
– Cables (brake, power)
The Procedure
If you are a mechanically inclined individual, and your car is more than 10 years old, you may be considering installing electric power steering on it. The installation should only take a few hours, depending on your vehicle’s make and model. Before beginning, make sure that you have all the necessary parts and tools.
1) Choose a location for the installation. The power steering system must be mounted low in order to allow adequate clearance for the hydraulic lines and other components. Check with your car’s manufacturer to see if they have any recommendations.
2) Remove the carpet and floor mats. This will give you better access to the electrical and hydraulic lines.
3) Disconnect the battery cable. This will prevent accidental starts while you are working on the car.
4) Remove the entire power steering system from the car by removing the eight bolts that hold it in place (see illustration). Be sure to label each bolt so that you can re-install it in reverse order when you are finished. If your car has coil-over suspension, remove the suspension arms as well.
5) Detach the hoses from the unit (see illustration). On some models, these h
Tips For Success
When you’re installing electric power steering on an old car, it’s important to take care not to overload the system. Follow these tips for a successful installation:
1. Inspect the system before installation to ensure that it’s in good condition and there are no leaks.
2. Install the power steering wiring as close to the car’s firewall as possible, in order to keep the wires as short as possible.
3. Use heavy-duty clamps to attach the power steering pump and reservoir to the car, then tighten them securely.
4. Reconnect the power steering computer and gearbox cable, then test the system by turning the wheel.