Power steering pump tehnical data needed

mister_g · Post by **mister_g** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 5:26 pm

Does anybody know power consumation of power steering pump? Maximal and average?
My idea is to drive power steering pump with electrical motor like that one for window washer. But I need to know how much mechanical power power steering consumes...

Why? Because I don't have a clue how to mount power steering on C20XE in lanos, because I don't want to loose A/C compressor...

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Mon Nov 21, 2005 11:52 pm

I think you will find that you don't really need your power steering.... my power steering died on my 2001 Lanos (covered under warranty) but I drove around for 2 days without it.

Other than in parking lots.... it really didn't seem any different.... if anything I liked how it felt "tight and responsive" at speeds above 20 MPH.

Parking lots were manageable..... but you had to be moving to make the steering wheel move (which you should do anyways)

The power steering system draws quite a bit of power..... I'm going to guess anywhere between 3hp and 8hp..... so it would be nearly impossible to run it via electric motor.

I'm wondering how the 2.0L Astra was setup.... since it has the same mounts as the Lanos.

mister_g · Post by **mister_g** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 8:59 am

No, astra f, or astra mk3 didn't have same mounts as lanos. Astra mk2 or kadett e did. But astra mk2 didn't have A/C compressor and power steering, because it is light weight car.

But if you disable steering pump, than, you have to exchange steering gear with one without hydraulic parts?

Are you shure that power steering pump uses 4 to 8hp? What about electrical power steerings found in toyota's?

tango · Post by **tango** » Tue Nov 22, 2005 1:40 pm

The electric power steerings found in Toyotas don't drive a pump. They have an electric module bolted to the steering column just under the dashboard. Honda electric power steering systems have a similar set-up, but their module is outside in the engine bay (where all the elements can screw up those electrics...the idiots at Honda are at it again). Electric-hydraulic systems (as used by Peugeot/Citroen, Renault, and VW) have an electric pump that pressurizes the hydraulic system. No they don't use an electric motor to turn any belts which requires more power to do (added weight of pulleys and belts). FIAT, Vauxhall, MG-Rover and Renault also have non-hydraulic electric power steering systems.

Have a look here: electric power steering systems

Bear in mind however that VW had a car in the mid to late 90s called the Golf Ecomatic. This car had a system where the engine shut off when idle for a few seconds and turned back on when the accelerator pedal was pressed. While the engine was off an electric motor was used to drive the accesory pumps (a/c, p/s).

But the fact is, seeing that electric motors drive trains, ships, and cars means that an electric motor can be made to make a simple 8hp.

mister_g · Post by **mister_g** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 7:10 am

tango wrote:
Have a look here: electric power steering systems

But the fact is, seeing that electric motors drive trains, ships, and cars means that an electric motor can be made to make a simple 8hp.

Yes, ideal would be to get that new astra electro pump. But I don't know how much does it cost.

I don't think that it would be to hard to connect electrical motor to current servo pump, and make it stady on 2000rpm when parking and 1000rpm when driveing...

Changing whole steering column with electric one is I thing more complex and more expensive?

tango · Post by **tango** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 11:11 am

Electric power steering systems normally regulate their boost levels based on vehicle speed. That means some sort of connection to the computer. I have no idea how you would do this without having to get a computer from the car in question. My advice is to not worry about it, or get a set of under-drive pulleys.

mister_g · Post by **mister_g** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 1:44 pm

Well, maybe I could get some EHPS pump? They are used in a lot of new cars, like in Astra. But, I am afraid that they are very expensive...

Connection to ECU is simple speed readings...

Post by **PrecisionBoost** » Wed Nov 23, 2005 10:15 pm

mister_g wrote:No, astra f, or astra mk3 didn't have same mounts as lanos. Astra mk2 or kadett e did. But astra mk2 didn't have A/C compressor and power steering, because it is light weight car.

But if you disable steering pump, than, you have to exchange steering gear with one without hydraulic parts?

Are you shure that power steering pump uses 4 to 8hp? What about electrical power steerings found in toyota's?

Yes... I was refering to the Astra MKII

I'm really surprised to hear the MKII didn't have a/c or power steering.... the lanos is nearly the same weight and shares the basic platform with the MKII so you should be able to do the same.

Our MKII over here in North America came with the 8V versions and they had A/C and Power steering with the "lanos style mount"

Hmmmm..... perhaps that's why we did not see the 16V over here... I've wondered why they would only use the 8V over here.

As far as power steering..... I was just guessing at the HP based upon what I know from hydraulic systems.... I really don't know what actual horsepower level is required.

I wonder if it would be possible to use the 8V mounts with the 16V ..... hmmm.... I have both types.... I will see what I can come up with.

The current 16V for my Optra 5 uses the "lanos style mount" location for the power steering..... I wonder if Efrain has power steering or A/C on his C20XE Racer.

tango · Post by **tango** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 3:33 am

Some Mark IIs came with power steering, others did not. Back in the 80s European drivers didn't see the need for a/c because it was so cool most of the time. The few months (weeks?) of the year that it did get warm enough for a/c they'd open the sunroof (or drop the hood on the cabriolet or the spyder) and let the wind blow through their hair. Believe this or not it was Daewoo who first introduced a/c on all the cars as standard in Europe bak in the mid 90s. After that a/c moved from an average option price of around GBP1500 to way under 1000 OR it was offered as standard by other manufacturers. The US market demands a/c so retrofitting was done (that's why our cars STILL use ACDelco system to this day.

mister_g · Post by **mister_g** » Thu Nov 24, 2005 11:03 am

Yes. Calibra, VectraA, Astra F(mk3) with this motor (c20xe) had both power steering and A/C. But they have diferent engine mounts than astra mk2(kadett e) gsi....

So, my idea is to go with EHPS (elctric hidraulic power steering) pump found in last astra's, or to lose power steering completly... I would rather have A/C then power steering...

Anyway, to remove power steering, can I simpley remove pump and oil can, and oil inside steering gear? Will this work?
Or I have to change complete steering gear with one without power steering?

tango · Post by **tango** » Fri Nov 25, 2005 2:44 am

You can simply remove the pump pulley and use a smaller belt. This is the least expensive of the several options you have. That way, when you are ready to sell the car (or if you get tired of the very ehavy steerign that will result) you can just slip the pulley and belt back on and you're good to go. The problem with this modification is that you will not BELIEVE how heavy our steering is without that "mild" assist. My Cielo is unbearably heavy without the assist. In that case your only option is to remove the pump (and change the belt to a smaller one) and reservoir and change the rack to one from a 1.2L Astra.