Power steering upgrade for a mk1 cab

Hi, does anyone know how viable this is on a mk1 1990 cab? Sorry to sound like a wuss, but the steering is so heavy and i've been rather spoilt in the past by being able to steer with the palm of my hand/knees etc.

I'm currently in A&E with broken elbows!!

Agreed the steering is a bit heavier than a modern car…………but……….

My GTI has light steering……….
The Clipper automatic was awful, so bad we enquired about power steering…….but were immediately put off by TSR's price of over ?1000 !!!!

Further investigation proved that there was a serious problem on the front end……camber and tracking were reset a few times, but would be upset as soon as it was driven !
New shocks (one partially siezed) and TOP MOUNTS (very worn, but felt solid and passed MOT) cured the problem………now it too is as light as the GTI……….even parking in tight spaces is a pleasure.

Oh and make certain that your tyres are running at the maxiumum recommended pressure , even 2 psi less will have an effect .  1.8 bar [26psi]……….cold………

I have bought the Tsr rack and adaptors and got the punp etc from a mk2, I havent got the car on the road yet so cannot say what it like.

There have been a few ideas on the caddy forum using a clio rack iirc.

http://www.vwcaddyforum.com/

Worth a look.

please help can bearly park my golf ssooooo heavy  can power steering be put in? and will I have no power left ?  can it be chipped???

Gabi,

Heavy steering is usually a sign that the top mounts are worn causing the top spring seat to rub on the underside of the top mount.  Some new top mounts i've seen are not made very well and can cause rubbing even when new - i.e. buy new VW ones.

Like the brakes in the MK1 - in good condition with the rears adjusted correctly the brakes are perfectly adequate for normal road use.  Same applies for the front suspension - get it right with standard wheels at the correct pressure you'll not look back.

After all the mk1 tintop is only 850 Kgs, not like the lardy later mks which do need power steering.  Cabs weighing in at 1350 ish - well that's debatable buy my 90 cab is OK (just for my partner to drive).  My tintops are a breeze for her to drive.

Cheers

Rich

I've actually had new shocks and springs fitted. Good point about the tyres….i'll get the pressures checked. Its all fine when I'm moving and handles great, its just parking is a nightmare.  Handling at lower speed is only as quick as I am able to turn the wheel (

Whats the expense with the kits? Is it the kit iteslf, fitting it, or both? 1k sounds a bit daft!

….it may be just a case that i'm not used to it, having driven PAS cars for years, although I can't remember the GLi being this bad!

I drive a mk2 gti with power steering and a mk1 cab without. To be honest the only difference with power steering is you can turn a corner faster. I would rather not have power steering because when it plays up its expensive. Also if you run your cab on wide wheels its harder to park. :dontknow:

I too have seen the forum with the Clio rack-very clever-but a Clio???? :dontknow:
I have also heard of people using the rack from an older model Micra, but ive not seen it myself, I know-I know a micra? At least it not French!

Yep,

Heavy steering was a problem in my lardy MK1 clipper Auto.  Set right by a new (decent) set of tyres, camber change…. was a mile out… and setting the tracking just off parallel. (smidge of neg)

It now handles great and is a lot better to park.