P6s with / without power steering...

Tofufi

Tofufi

Member
Hi all,

Am I correct in thinking that not all V8s came with power steering as standard? I believe mine was originally non-PAS and has been fitted with PAS by a previous owner.

I have a 3500 series 1, and I'm considering removing the (fully operational) power steering setup as I'm not keen on driving PAS fitted cars. I'd like to have an original large steering wheel too, as my car currently has a smaller aftermarket sports wheel. I'm worried that fitting the larger wheel would make the steering even lighter.

I was wondering what other peoples views on this are? Are P6s nice to drive without the power steering?

Has anyone done this conversion? Any tips or things to look for would be much appreciated. That is assuming I can find the required non-PAS parts too.

Thanks in advance,
Jim.
 
Hi Jim,
The series 1 3500 only came with manual steering. So it looks like your PAS has been retro-fitted.
With or without pas is a matter of taste really. Easier to park with pas of course, but manual steering arguably gives a better 'feel' on the road.
 
Personally I prefer to have PAS, I find it a nicely weighted system. I've done the conversion to PAS, and to change back all you would have to get is a manual steering box, and remove the rest of the PAS parts. (Pump, hoses, reservoir) The track rod is different on PAS cars, but it will work fine on non-PAS, and chances are if yours is a conversion anyway it may well still be fitted with the non-PAS trackrod, as that often gets forgotten when doing PAS conversions.
 
Hello Jim,

I think you would be hard pressed to find another owner who would willingly choose to go back to manual steering after having the pleasure of driving a P6 with power assistance.

MIght I suggest that you see if you can drive another series 1 car with manual steering and the large steering wheel and then compare that to yours once you have swapped out the small sports wheel for the correct series 2 steering wheel. As an alternative if you can have a drive of a series 2 car with the correct steering wheel that will save you having to change yours. I can imagine that the small sports wheel would alter the feel somewhat and may certainly detract from the pleasure of driving the car.

In that way you can make an informed decision based on your own observations. Much better than to spend time and money only to discover that you are deeply unhappy with the outcome.

Ron.
 
well mine is a series 1 v8 non power steering and my steering way to light when it up and running i got god big problems with the both front wheels but when trying to park it its does get hard i was thinking of converting mine to power steering but did not have the time to do it the power steering will help out when trying to park
 
Tofufi said:
I was wondering what other peoples views on this are? Are P6s nice to drive without the power steering?
Click to expand...

I'd say better - although a predominantly 4-cylinder person (and the older cars are lighter to steer, by some distance) I've experience of both power steered V8's and non-power steered V8's (in fact I have a 'P' reg 1975 auto, without power steering, ready to go here)

The power steering is too light on a V8, it's almost as feel-less as a P5. Not my cup of tea.

Handy when parking, that's about it.
 
Lucky - my '70 S1 V8 - came to me without PAS and I had assumed I would want to fit it. Now, having done a couple of thousand miles, I'm delighted with the non PAS set up and wouldn't consider changing. I find that it is too light with the standard wheel and have gone down in size to a PAS type wheel.

BUT With standard 185 tyres, std dampers and std roll bar it was much heavier. Lucky has Rover heavy duty front dampers, 205/65's on Vitesse 15" rims and the uprated roll bar. Each of these mods (including the wider tyres!!) had the effect of making the steering lighter. It is now a bit of a wind compared to a modern power steered car when stationary - but still acceptable - and lightens up to the standard of a very good modern PAS set up as soon as its rolling. Excellent steering feel as well. I definitely wouldn't change!

Chris
 
Thanks all, quite a range of replies there :)

I'd certainly find it beneficial to try a non PAS car, just to feel the difference between the two. I've never owned a PAS fitted car before ( :shock: ) so the steering does naturally feel quite light to me...

I'll also see what I can do about replacing the steering wheel for a larger one. However, the steering is extremely light at the moment, so I doubt a larger rim radius would have any hope of improving that. It might improve the steering feel, however.

If anyone out there in the Birmingham or Bristol areas has a non PAS V8 and would like to try one with power steering, drop me a PM. :)
 
They do vary from car to car too. Tyre type, pump efficiency, box and joint condition etc
I once let someone drive a 3500 I had with PAS to compare and he wanted to swap pumps to make his lighter still.
There was nothing wrong with his, infact I prefered it :?
 
I've had three non-PAS V8s and now had a PAS one. I'd never want to replace it, but I will get a smaller diameter steering wheel to have more feedback on the road. City driving is lovely as is. Haven't modded my previous ones with better/wider tyres, alloys or changing the suspension setup, so I'd say try a smaller steering wheel and give that some miles before deciding. I feel a stock non-PAS setup is a good bit heavier than I like it in parking and manouvering (sp) situations.
 
Never having driven a P6 with PAS, I'm not really in a position to comment...

...other than to say I don't have PAS and even with a slightly smaller (Moto Lita) wheel than standard, I find the steering feel fine at anything over 5-10 mph. Who knows though? Perhaps one day as the arms grow weaker.... :roll:
 
Bruiser has an S2 PAS steering wheel & it suits the car very well in looks & feel, no PAS fitted but Revo's & Yoko's are.

BruiserRestoration098.jpg


Our ex-Denovo has, of course, PAS & I like it & the missus likes it very much & wants PAS fitted to her 2200TC when it's back on the road. It will be a modern electric pump set-up which is being cobbled together with Harvey's help. I wouldn't agree that the P6 system is as lifeless as the P5B's system. But, TBH I've never had a problem with our P5B's power steering in the 25 years I've owned her. I suppose I'm used to it & very rarely get to the high speeds which cause the steering to get to that 'skitterish' position. I've had Bruiser up there & she/he (I can never decide) is as steady as the proverbial rock. The Revolutions & Yokohama's probably help. Though I've also had the 2200 up there and she is standard but also steady.
You pays your money & takes your choice.
 
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