Steering, Suspension, & Brakes

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2015 06:25PM by psmg.

Way to go Paul! That looks really sweet. You'll be amazed when you drive it.
Waiting for Indy, Mike

Very nice clean install Paul!

For anyone looking to do this conversion and don't have a wrecking yard close by....Here is one on e-bay for $179.00 right now!. It has everything from steering wheel down out side the fire wall. It came out of a 2007 Saturn Vue. The air bag is out of the steering wheel. It will cost a lot more if it is in there when you pull out of a wrecking yard. Its in Saint Louis MO...They want $75 to ship.

[www.ebay.com]

Mike, "holy shazam MOORGONE" it's alive. Took the B for a test ride today, steering much more better.
charles

Mike, Charles and Paul:

Thanks for sharing your experiences with the EPS conversion and posting pictures. I admire your abilities to attack a project and make something work that's not yet mainstream. I have a 77' B and I've gotten my used Saturn EPS and have my controller on order. I'll try to follow in your footsteps, but I have a few questions:

Mike and Paul, it appears that you both modified the upper outer column in the same way, but used somewhat different approaches on the lower outer column. Mike, is the weld between your fabricated lower tube and the original Saturn mounting bushing the only point of attachment for the lower tube? If there's another attachment, how did you do it? Paul, I'm assuming you fabricated the two-eared flange that mounts the lower tube to the EPS housing? What gage steel did you use for the flange and what diameter tubing is welded to the flange? Also, did you use exhaust tubing for part of the column as Mike did? Mike, what diameter of tubing did you start with at the EPS and finish with at the original MGB lower column mounting point?

It seems like everyone is relocating the control unit away from the motor. Is that just for cosmetics or would it hang low enough to hit it with your legs?

Is everyone comfortable with the strength of the modified column and it's mounting points in the MGB? It seems to me that the modified outer column might be subjected to some twisting forces not present in the original MGB design. The Saturn donor incorporates a robust mount on the EPS body, which we're deleting. Just thought I'd throw that out for consideration.

Thanks in advance for any answers, suggestions or additional pictures you can offer.
Mike



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 02/23/2015 06:16PM by Bv8nc.

Mike,
I did make a mounting flange from 1/8" plate. I drilled a 2 1/2" hole in the flange and tig welded (silicon- bronze filler rod) a 2 1/4" to 2 1/8" reducer (Walker# 41854) to the plate. ( I drilled an access hole in the reducer to enable tightening the bolt on the lower universal joint.) To that I welded a 2" to 1.5" reducer (Walker# 41886) to align with the expanded metal of the original column. This enabled me to retain part of the collapsible column. I used longer metric bolts through the gear reducer unit to fasten the lower tube. I did make some spacers to keep the ears from bending in when securing.






If you need any thing else, let me know.
BTW I can second everything Mike and Charles said. This works great.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 02/24/2015 06:21PM by psmg.

Hi Mike,
My lower is only welded to the brace in that one area. At first I was concerned about rotational force on the column, but once it was installed the unit is very firm. The two mount bolts on the upper seem to be taking the force fine. I see there are two bolts under the shelf that I could use to mount a "U" shaped bracket and tie back to the lower tube if any weakness shows up. I'm really waiting to get some more road test time to check everything out.
Relocating the box isn't needed for leg room, it is just looks for me. At 5"11", it didn't hit my legs.
Mike

Thanks guys, I appreciate the information !
Mike

For those of us without the fabrications skills, one of you could have a business opportunity here! Sure there are others who wants this type of product without the $2K UK costs.

Mike P, here is what I did. Unit installed in 66 B. I used late model B upper column because of damage to orignal shaft.

left MGB right Vue

left Vue lower right B lower

unit assembled with mods

upper column housing with mods

charles

Mike P, a couple more pictures,

mods made to cross bar for support for column housing

mounting brackets for EPS head

I did relocate the controller, like Mike M. said may not be needed. If you do relocate the controller be carefull and don't ask me why.

Hi Charles,

I just took a moment to check the forum and saw your post. Very interesting!
If I'm correct, it looks like you've stayed close to the Saturn mounting design and don't use a full length MGB type lower outer tube. I'm assuming you use the very lower part of the MGB outer column simply to act as a bearing where the shaft exits through the footwell firewall ??
I had the same thought as Mike Stemp, regarding a cottage industry for one of you, but with the details you guys have provided, it seems pretty straight-forward.

Thanks again, to all three of you.

Mike



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/02/2015 10:08AM by Bv8nc.

I like the idea of retaining the collapsible part of the steering column. Plus if one of you guys made a kit you'd have to have that feature.

Jim

Guys, the early B never did have any part that was collapsible, just a straight through shaft. I have considered using a late model unit with the collapsible function.
I have no thoughts of trying to work up a kit for this, worked to hard to get what I have. As far as the adaptive control function, well there is no other adaptive anything on this car.

See you guys in Indy if not before
charles

Yes, the collapsible column (at least in the USA) was introduced for 1968 production, with the Federal Safety Standards.
Probably in todays litigious society any steering modification would involve way too much legal exposure to the seller to be financially worthwhile unless they're making big money and have some control over the contents of the kit and the installation process. There goes your creativity and our inexpensive power steering.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/03/2015 10:33AM by Bv8nc.

It could be done as a kit with the major assembly steps done, leaving some of the assembly and the install to the owner. With the appropriate disclaimers of course. The collapsible feature would be a necessity.

Jim

Jim,

Just as Fast Cars lists on their front sub-frame, "For Racing Only". That sort of disclaimer might suffice all the safety nannies.

Hi guys first time poster here thought you might like to see my twist on the poweer steering install.

flipped unit to tuck motor up under dash

Used a stamped steel pillow block housing for the front mount still need to fab tabs on front of dash support

I used a section of pinion shaft off a junk rack & pinion and a Woodward steering u joint (part # UA114109 ) to connect to the MGB u joint
found a 3/4 " id bearing and 3 bolt flange at a farm supplie store that fit the shaft and bolted too my car like it was made for it

Fire wall mounting bracket

Very nice install!

Hi Robert,

I'm curious why you chose not to use the MGB upper outer column mount, which mates with the dash bracket ?
I really like your firewall mounting bracket ! If there were one piece it would be nice to be able to buy ready-made it would be that.

Mike.