Power steering on a transit

[Guest Kath & Kevin]

I would be very grateful for any advice you could give me on the following subject which is now driving me nuts. I have recently purchased a 1989 Ford Transit Caravanette with a 2000cc pinto engine fitted. I wish to fit power steering. I know from the handbook Fords fitted the pump low down on the nearside of the engine but alas I cannot get the bracket that the pump fits on to. I have obtained the pump and bracket and all the double pulleys to fit (from a scrapped Granada) that fit on the offside of the engine as fitted to the Granada. My question is - will this pump be powerful enough to work the power steering. I really need to know this before I go to the trouble of fitting the steering rack. I await your reply with anxiety. Kind regards ( Your magazine keeps me sane) Kevin Hawkins

[Guest David Powell]

If you think about it, you only need it to assist you, so perhaps your "arm power" added to the pump power, it should be OK. You obviously steer it now, so a little help from a small pump, should help. Derek has a transit I expect he will throw some light on the subject.

[Guest Derek Uzzell]

Kevin: The only way you are going to know for sure is to get the OK from someone who has done exactly what you're proposing, or to do the work and find out. If I had to guess I'd agree with David - that, even if you don't get the full amount of assistance provided by the 'proper' Transit pump, it should still be worth having. Besides which, your Transit's steering-wheel will almost certainly be larger in diameter than the Granada's providing increased leverage. You might try contacting SVO in Calne, Wiltshire. (Tel: 01249 815141) for expert advice as they are specialists in retro-fitting power-steering to motorhomes.

[Guest Dave Newell]

Kevin, surely a 1989 tranny is running on a beam axle front end and therefore has no steering rack but a recirculating ball type steering box and drag links? I may be wrong but I thought they didn't change to independent front suspension and rack and pinion steering until the mid 90s. Other than that I totally agree with Derek, if no one else comes back to you who has already done this mod then speak to SVO or even try your local Ford dealers. Dave. www.davenewell.co.uk

[Guest Derek Uzzell]

Dave: Rack and pinion would be right for a 1989 Transit - I believe the swap to R&P was made when the sloping front Transit was introduced (mid/late 80s?) Just to be sure I dug out 1988 and 1991 MMM Auto-Sleepers Legend test reports, plus John Hunt's 1994 article on his own then over 4-year old Legend and they all confirm R&P steering. Interestingly, JH's 'van was fitted with power-steering (optional when he bought the vehicle) and he complained of over-lightness, saying he preferred "the more positive feel of the PAS of the latest Transits". Both the other Legends had manual steering, but no mention was made of it being heavy, presumably because that was the norm and everyone expected it.

[Guest Dave Newell]

Thanks Derek, I bow to your better documentation, i was going purely on memory and firmly beleived the changeover to r&p occurred in the mid 90s. Oh well you live and learn. sorry if my post misled you Kev and good luck with the conversion. Dave@davenewell.co.uk

[Guest Bob]

Power steering on a transit(2) — David Powell — 02/12/2005 17:50:51 If you think about it, you only need it to assist you, so perhaps your "arm power" added to the pump power, it should be OK. You obviously steer it now, so a little help from a small pump, should help. This is not correct - the power assisted racks are not an 'ordinary' rack with assistance. Try steering one with the belt broken or the pump not working - you can't, well not for long anyway.