[Goody2late]

I am looking at my next project on the 156 and remember reading about removing the hydralic power steering system and installing electric.
1) has anyone done this and would you recommend it?
2) what parts did you use?

 

[Pud237]

Do you mean removing the belt driven hydraulic pump and installing an electronic hydraulic pump like from a Saxo and plumbing it into the existing rack?

Or are you thinking to remove the hydraulic system altogether and fit electronic assistance motor to the column?

I've been thinking about the first option for a while now, either on my 2.4 JTD or the GTA track slag but have been too busy to do either,.

 

[Goody2late]

I was thinking about converting to a standard steering rack with a electronic powered colum. I think that the corsa or punto system is used, but not sure really?

 

[Cuore_Sportivo_155]

why would you want to? I can't help thinking your goal is likely unachievable.

So I wouldn't recommend it, those systems are prone to overheating aswell if you're manoeuvring a bit more.

 

[Pud237]

I was thinking about converting to a standard steering rack with a electronic powered colum. I think that the corsa or punto system is used, but not sure really?

There isn't a non-hydraulic Alfa steering rack available, so making one fit from something else would be a lot of work.

 

[John Sahl]

Why would you do that?

 

[jwq]

There isn't a non-hydraulic Alfa steering rack available, so making one fit from something else would be a lot of work.

I think the giulietta (and mito?) has electric power steering......

 

[Pud237]

I think the giulietta (and mito?) has electric power steering......

Sorry I meant one that would fit his platform, 156/147/GT. I doubt a Mito or Giulietta steering rack would fit a 156 without quite a bit of work.

 

[symon]

I cannot understand why you would want to do it. Compared to normal hydraulic steering electric systems have zero feel of the road.

Or is that extra 1bhp or so you would gain important?

I would swap the electric steering on my Giulietta for a hydraulic setup like a shot.

 

[cue2]

you wouldnt want the Mito/Corsa system unless you like driving along the motorway to be like tacking a small boat into the wind!
The Giulietta has twin-pinion system to avoid the over-compensating inputs the Mito requires...
But neither would probably fit another car?

 

[Goody2late]

So I think I'm packing up this is generally a bad idea.
what about Puds suggestion of retaining the hydralic system powered by a stand alone pump?

 

[Pud237]

what about Puds suggestion of retaining the hydralic system powered by a stand alone pump?

Its what a lot of kit-car builders, TVR owners & general engine-swappers do.

 

[Cuore_Sportivo_155]

I cannot understand why you would want to do it. Compared to normal hydraulic steering electric systems have zero feel of the road.

Or is that extra 1bhp or so you would gain important?

I would swap the electric steering on my Giulietta for a hydraulic setup like a shot.

And it wouldn't make any difference. The relatively little feedback (trust me, others are far worse) is due to the suspension geometry, and was done on purpose to get a more refined car.

 

[Cuore_Sportivo_155]

So I think I'm packing up this is generally a bad idea.
what about Puds suggestion of retaining the hydralic system powered by a stand alone pump?

I'm not sure what the gain would be, besides simpler serpentine belt routing. Peugeot used such a system in the 307 for example (and parts). How will you control that setup however? if you're going to run the pump all the time, there's no benefit.

 

[crossshot]

I cannot understand why you would want to do it. Compared to normal hydraulic steering electric systems have zero feel of the road.

Or is that extra 1bhp or so you would gain important?

I would swap the electric steering on my Giulietta for a hydraulic setup like a shot.

Fiat Stilo electric power steering is the same ****... Zero feeling on the road...

In a german car forum a guy describes it as feeling like a stirring rod in cream bowl :biglaugh:

 

[Gertie]

I'm not sure what the gain would be, besides simpler serpentine belt routing.

Uhm, I see the OP has a 1.8 TS - If you do not have AIRCON - you cannot run the Alternator without the PS pump - the tensioner pushes the "return direction" belt against the outgoing path belt. I've tried this in my race car :smash:

With the AIRCON - you'll have to run the idler pulley the wrong way around - grooves on the flat roller on the way back instead of the way to the AIRCON. This is do-able, but you'll have to figure out what length belt to use aranoid:

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/images/71747798-179-3-800.jpg

 

[Pud237]

Uhm, I see the OP has a 1.8 TS - If you do not have AIRCON - you cannot run the Alternator without the PS pump - the tensioner pushes the "return direction" belt against the outgoing path belt. I've tried this in my race car :smash:

With the AIRCON - you'll have to run the idler pulley the wrong way around - grooves on the flat roller on the way back instead of the way to the AIRCON. This is do-able, but you'll have to figure out what length belt to use aranoid:

http://www.alfaworkshop.co.uk/images/71747798-179-3-800.jpg

Do you mean like this?

 

[Pud237]

What about no tensioner, no idler, just the crank pulley & alternator and using a stretch belt?

 

[Gertie]

Do you mean like this?

Yes, that is also excluding the aircon, but using the Idler that is present in the cars WITH aircon. Cars that came without aircon does not have that idler. You can still add the aircon in the path

What about no tensioner, no idler, just the crank pulley & alternator and using a stretch belt?

I forgot about that. Yes if you can find a 4PK / 3PK of the right length it could work - 6PK is an overkill if you only run the alternator, just make sure you put it on straight

 

[gazza82]

I think the giulietta (and mito?) has electric power steering......

probably less reliable than a properly maintained hydraulic one. We had to have our MiTo one changed in warranty .. and the dealer had a back-log to fix!