Electric power steering. $100 > $1500

[calZ]

Right, but the standard gear on the actual steering shaft is going to have a really, really hard time moving the worm gear to free-wheel the motor. It's just like how a crescent wrench doesn't open up when you're tightening a nut. The mechanical advantage is so large that it's essentially locked in place.

[seattlejester]

Hmm the cresent wrench is not a good example, Just hard to think of a system that people have seen open that takes advantage of this setup. Well in the cresent wrench example your steering effort would be more along the lines of a T or a wheel attached with the worm gear in line so to say. It wouldn't be the same force that is exerted on the jaws. 

 

 

If you follow that link the crank handle would be the motor and the steering wheel would actually be attached to the metal shaft. there would be some resistance if you tried to turn the worm drive via the gear, but you have to remember that if it isn't engaged it doesn't have much resistance. Depending on the reduction level it wouldn't even need to turn much at all. Given the size of the motor I would be surprised if it was a log of difference, probably a much closer ratio.

 

 

Bad music but maybe more applicable. The wheel would be replaced with the steering wheel in this setup.

 

On a separate note, I think a crescent wrench stays locked in place as you try to twist things it applies leverage on the traveling jaw which tilts it against the sliding plate no? At least on my cheaper ones when it gets stuck you just wiggle the jaw and it moves freely

 

Bottom line is that the worm gear is not the worst design at least from a failure perspective. A system where a failure would result in no steering at all would be a much more dangerous system.

Edited August 25, 2016 by seattlejester

[dmoralesbello]

I installed the ZPower Steering unit in my '78 280Z. It took me about 4 hours to put in mainly because of the size of the electric motor that goes under the dash. The 280Z is a bit more crowded down there than 240s and 260s so maybe it'll be easier in those cars. The unit is also very heavy (i guesstimate around 20 lbs or so) and I had to fabricate a a steel tubular brace to help support the weight, somewhat like a hammock attached to two points of the metal structure under the dash. That being said, the result is effortless steering with the advantage of being able to adjust via the rheostat type knob exactly how much assist you want.

[socorob]

I have a 78 also, could you take a picture of it under the dash? I put an aftermarket ac in mine and it encroaches into the drivers side some, so I am worried it will cause problems with the electric motor.

[dmoralesbello]

This isn't the best pic but you can see I rotated the unit so the electric motor is off to the left (I placed an under dash speaker to the right). You can see the control box placed against the firewall. Space is very limited under there.

[socorob]

Thanks for the picture.

[grannyknot]

I have almost completed the Saturn Vue electric assist steering in my 240Z, just waiting on the wiring kit from ebay Bruno, I had to cut and modify the steering shaft/pedal box to fit it in and then reinforce the box to stiffen it back up, the pics will explain it better then me. The unit weighs 14lbs and then add a couple more for bracing and a u joint, so far I have $144.00 in to it, looking forward to trying it out in parking maneuvers.

Edited October 10, 2016 by grannyknot

[nissanthanh]

I have almost completed the Saturn Vue electric assist steering in my 240Z, just waiting on the wiring kit from ebay Bruno, I had to cut and modify the steering shaft/pedal box to fit it in and then reinforce the box to stiffen it back up, the pics will explain it better then me. The unit weighs 14lbs and then add a couple more for bracing and a u joint, so far I have $144.00 in to it, looking forward to trying it out in parking maneuvers.

DSCN0594.JPGDSCN0596.JPGDSCN0610.JPGDSCN0611.JPGDSCN0617.JPGDSCN0619.JPGDSCN0620.JPGDSCN0621.JPGDSCN0622.JPGDSCN0623.JPG

Holy crap, very very smart idea fitting it inside that box. I wish you could show some photos of how you cut and reinforced the steering box.

 

Also, what adapters for input/output and all that did you use? I'm about to start mine really soon.

[nissanthanh]

And mine is a 75 280z

[grannyknot]

Holy crap, very very smart idea fitting it inside that box. I wish you could show some photos of how you cut and reinforced the steering box.

 

Also, what adapters for input/output and all that did you use? I'm about to start mine really soon.

The 1st pic is what was cut out of the steering/pedal box, 2nd is the bracing around the hole that I added, while the paint was off I also added some key welds where previously there was only spot welds. There is a middle shaft on the 240's, I used the splined section of that to weld onto the Saturn input shaft, the Saturn output shaft is coupled with a simple sleeve and 4 grade 8 bolts to the cut off end of the stock middle steering shaft. Once you get down to your steering/pedal box come back and have a look at the pics in post #27 again, it will make a lot more sense.

Edited October 11, 2016 by grannyknot

[seattlejester]

Thanks for those pictures! You will have to tell us your first impressions when you get it running!

[socorob]

I took my Saturn and Datsun columns apart last night. On a 78 it looks like the motor will barely fit clocked at the 10-11 o'clock position. Does anyone know if removing the steering coupler like the ez power steering kit does will cause any issues? Woodward sells the Datsun u joints and splined connectors, so you could use a DD collapsible shaft on the saturn end and put a DD-Datsun spline shaft to connect to the steeering rod under the hood.

 

http://woodwardsteering.com/PDF/3.%20Steering%20Universal%20Joints%20and%20Splined%20Couplers.pdf

[socorob]

113 is the Dastun Spline part number in the woodward catalog.

[socorob]

This is the plan I came up with. I really want to keep the collspsibility, and don't want to take out the dash to weld bracing into the column support. I will attach the upper section of the Datsun column to the top of the motor with the 3 bolts it comes with.I will make a 1/16 or 1/8 plate to the pattern on the existing upper Saturn tube and put a collar on it the Datsun tube can slide into and weld to. Use the Saturn spline piece to make a connector to go from Saturn to Datsun. Make a plate to bolt to the 2 bolts on the lower side of the motor and weld a square tube to it that a 17mm couple for the Saturn spline can fit into. Slide another square tube either into it or over it and weld that to the firewall plate. Between the column support and firewall plate, that should keep it from twisting. Use a DD collapsible shaft from the 17mm Saturn spline down to a u joint that's DD on one side and Datsun steering rod spline on the other. Does anyone know where I can buy square tube and they will test to see if they fit snugly inside of each other?

[socorob]

We had 2 78 280, one complete and 1 with bare interior. We did a few mockups, looks like motor may be able to go towards right with a small notch in column support and without factory AC. I have vintage air and my ac blower is in the way. To the left and up it will just fit with just about zero wiggle room. Either way looks very tight but doable.

Edited October 17, 2016 by socorob

[Nelsonian]

Socorob, this is a great idea to retain the collapsible feature as well as the info and feedback especially the mention of the vintage air as I plan on going that route as well. 

[socorob]

After getting it in and mocked up, the plan is to use the lower shaft from the Vue which is collapsible. Will do like Z power steering and just put a bearing at the firewall for support. Just needs a DD male fitting to Female Datsun spline to replace the round steering coupler. The motor will be supporter by the upper column, plus a small L bracket from one of the mounting holes of the steering unit to the column support. Should only have to drill 1 bolt hole in the column.

Edited October 17, 2016 by socorob

[mtnickel]

Looks like a well thought out plan. I plan to do the same and will be following this closely. Luckily I have access to a machine shop where I can have the 3-bolt plate/tube nicely made. I'm grabbing the entire shaft assembly from an equinox shortly. Will even see what the equinox tube looks like to be adapted to the Datsun one if I can get it out of the equinox. Could always bring a sawzall .

 

Mark

 

 

After getting it in and mocked up, the plan is to use the lower shaft from the Vue which is collapsible. Will do like Z power steering and just put a bearing at the firewall for support. Just needs a DD male fitting to Female Datsun spline to replace the round steering coupler. The motor will be supporter by the upper column, plus a small L bracket from one of the mounting holes of the steering unit to the column support. Should only have to drill 1 bolt hole in the column.

Edited October 17, 2016 by mtnickel

[socorob]

You have to take the bolt entirely out of the DD fitting where it connects to the saturn steering and it slides right off. That looks like the vue column.

[nissanthanh]

You have to take the bolt entirely out of the DD fitting where it connects to the saturn steering and it slides right off. That looks like the vue column.

Socorob, regarding wiring, is it best to go directly to battery with a switch or relay? Or is it okay to do through the ignition column? I heard the old wiring won't be strong enough.