Power Steering

Hi guys,
Does anyone know what is involved in fitting power steering to a Mk1? I have all the components from a Mk2 Golf and wondered if it is possible to modify the rack and make new brackets so it maybe mounted on the bulkhead as the Mk1. I have also heared that a Mitsibuishi Colt steering rack has to be used, any ideas???

Mk2 rack wont work.

I have heard of many different donor racks being used, including micra/meastros/Mk5 escorts  etc etc

The only one I have ever seen actually done and working was done using a J plate Renault Clio rack. Lots of custom work involved getting working including mounts for the rack and of course mounts for the gear linkages. A custom hybrid UJ joint needs to be fabricated for the bottom of the steering column where VW joins Renault. Only good/easy thing I remember from memory is that the VAG pas pipes (from a mk2) fit the clio rack (which you wouldnt think as the french have there own metric fittings).

Lots of graft and of course the engine has to come out to do it  

I?ve read that these parts have been used to convert to power steering on various cars, though not golf.

http://www.prepfab.co.uk/newsuspension.htm
http://www.bba-reman.com/content.aspx?content=vauxhall_corsa_trw_electric_power_steering_failure

Was the convertible never supplied with power steering to "right-hookers"? That is otherwise to simplest and cheapest conversion at least if you have the steering wheel on the right side… the left

/Mike

The other rack that works well is the Nissan Bluebird ('87-'92).

Putting parts on from a Nissan Bluebird is a step too far for me even if it turns me into Geoff Capes (shudders!)  

Type17 said

The other rack that works well is the Nissan Bluebird ('87-'92).

How on earth do you know or find out that?  :dontknow:

Is there something you want to tell us Steve?

Yes, the Bluebird rack works great on the brother's stolen/recovered/too dodgy to bring to the show Mk1…

It might be a Nissan rack, but it is actually made in the UK  8)

A lot of the smaller modern cars use an electric system mounted on the steering column [Fiat and Vauxhall spring to mind] has any body tried this route  :dontknow:

89Rallye said

Mk2 rack wont work.

I have heard of many different donor racks being used, including micra/meastros/Mk5 escorts  etc etc

The only one I have ever seen actually done and working was done using a J plate Renault Clio rack. Lots of custom work involved getting working including mounts for the rack and of course mounts for the gear linkages. A custom hybrid UJ joint needs to be fabricated for the bottom of the steering column where VW joins Renault. Only good/easy thing I remember from memory is that the VAG pas pipes (from a mk2) fit the clio rack (which you wouldnt think as the french have there own metric fittings).

Lots of graft and of course the engine has to come out to do it  

I've removed the engine and gearbox, and have fabricted two mounting brackets and fitted the MK2 rack. The track control arms need shortening, which is straightforward enough. The ports for the pipework are quite tight against the bulkhead, allthough I maybe able to overcome this by using different flexible fittings and pipework. The gearbox mounting and geargange fulcrum mounting, can be adapted, again by fabricating new mounts. I appreciate all the replies, however I've actually yet to directly talk to someone who has fitted power steering to a MK1 Golf, whether the rack is from a Clio, Nissan or Thrupps thunderclapp Mk9!

Thrupps thunderclapp Mk9!

Yeah nice motor , never seen one but heard they shift  

Cheers……..

The Thrupps Thunderclap Mk9 ................what a machine! twin overhead pollywobble mufflers, 90 degree swing arms, alabaster bearings fitted in every corner (Mk9 only) and the first road going machine to incorporate fully adjustable tellymechanical under sleeves!

dino, how're you getting on with the mk2 rack? i also have all the bits from a mk2. one of the replies said 'no way'

There have been a few topics on this subject discussed on the Club GTI site:

http://www.clubgti.com…ring&SM=1&SI=TC&FM=0&OB=1

One of which being the Clio rack mentioned in this thread.

A more definative MK1 RHD PAS thread:

http://www.clubgti.com…forum_posts.asp?TID=71943

 

mk1_driver said

A more definative MK1 RHD PAS thread:

http://www.clubgti.com…forum_posts.asp?TID=71943

 

The Nissan rack mentioned is from the Nissan Bluebird, as I mentioned above - my brother got the TSR kit and fitted it to his Golf, and we scoped out various cars in local scrappys, and it was the one.
It's the approx '86-'91 Bluebird, and try to get a manual car's one, as there is a bracket on the auto-racks which you'll have to cut off.

There are, however, a fair bit of parts to be made up to get the Nissan parts to interface with the VW ones (tie-rod ends, steering column, rack-mounts, and high-pressure hydraulic pipe), so the TSR kit is quite worthwhile, unless you have unlimited access to an engineering workshop.

It's worth doing though - having a Mk1 GTI with PAS is superb!

Random Googling and I saw the URL above is out of date.

This is a later FAQ thread:

http://www.clubgti.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87167