Refresh page for numerous edits to improve content.

 

I think I’ve solved it:
- LHD has end plate mounted so the oil outlet is facing upwards
- RHD has end plate mounted so the oil outlet is facing downwards

I‘m sure the experts can explain why…

 

Can't that outlet be installed facing up or down, or be spun 360 degrees to suit ?

 

I am no expert but Jeff is probably right and the orientation is just so the outlet does not foul against the engine when the steering box is swapped from RHD to LHD.
A picture of a RHD box next to a LHD box would show if we are thinking right. They should be identical apart from the outlet pipe. It would have saved Jaguar a lot of money if it was just a simple case of turning the end plate 180 degrees.

 

I said this in post No 16. You can rotate the cover. I inherited a buggered first type in the boot of one of my 2 X S Type donors. SA Production only used second type & Varamatic. Our Mk1 production 3.4 used first type at 850psi.

 

Here is a summary of what I found out:
- I could replace my LHD steering box by a LHD manual box. The mounting positions are compatible.
- The input spline drive shaft of the manual box is at a different position so that I cannot reuse the lower steering column. I would have to replace the lower steering column by the longer version used with manual steering.
- It is unclear whether I can reuse the Pitman arm and leave the steering linkages unchanged. I assume yes.

My current plan is to keep my PAS box (and lower steering column, Pitman arm and steering linkages) without the pump and reservoir. I am trying out using a high viscosity steering box lubricant (no leaks) and blocking off the fluid input and output. Plan B is to connect the input and output ports together.
I have managed to reduce the free play in the steering box by using shims above the thrust pad (since diagrams above) since thrust pads are no longer available.
Regards

 

Really interested in your reuse of the power steering gear as I’m considering doing something similar - converting the column to an electric column ( possibly from a Prius). What electric power steering did you use ( or if there is a thread already on this please point me to it), many thanks Michael

ps looking forward to your results on blocking the input output ports or looping them together

 

Hi Michael,
The previous owner had an EasyDrive electrical steering added. He left the original PAS system (box, pump and reservoir) installed and active (the pump being driven) for some unknown reason. Theoretically blocking the ports should work provided there is enough air in the system which can be compressed. Unfortunately I found resistance near the end of both locks. I don’t want to risk having too little oil in the box so I’m now going to try looping the ports together. I will report on that soon.
Dave

 

 

The photo shows the wooden frame I built to hold the upper column, lower column and steering box together to investigate improving the free play. You can see the electric motor on the upper column and the blocked ports on the box.

 

What would the advantage be of using a PAS box in this way rather than replacing it with a manual steering box? There are probably quite a few of those of those about, I just sold one complete with all the linkages to a guy in Germany (i'm in UK) and I think with postage via ebay it cost him around £150.

 

Keeping the PAS box allows me to reuse the lower column and leave the steering linkages on the car. I also found it difficult to source a LHD manual box. A later owner could also easily reconvert back to the original PAS system.
Dave

 

A later Burman PAS might be better as it has (I think) a higher ratio and has a torsion bar instead of the lost motion of the early type.

 

Here’s the final configuration of the steering box with the hydraulic ports connected together. I rotated the output port about 180 degrees to make it neat.
It now shows fully free movement from lock to lock. After checking for no leaks I’ll paint it and reinstall into the car.