Power steering for classic cars
Our Workshop has been approved and appointed by EZ Power Steering to supply and fit their electric power steering kits. These are available for a very wide range of cars, from pre-war models through to the classic cars of the 1950s and 1960s, finishing up with the modern classics of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.
EZ Power Steering is a Dutch company who have been designing, fitting and supplying power steering kits for many years. In our opinion, they offer the best electric power steering kits available in the market place and if ever required, they also provide excellent technical support. All EZ Power Steering kits fitted by us come with a full 12 months parts and labour warranty.
The full range of makes and models covered can be viewed on the EZ Power Steering website by clicking on Product Range
To find out more about whether there is a kit suitable for fitting to your car and the costs and timings (it will typically take us 1 - 2 days to complete the work), then please contact us to talk through options. This can be via email and our address is workshop@allonwhite.co.uk or by phone on 01234 247380.
If you own a classic Morgan, we have some additional information and a typical supply and fit price, and this can be viewed by clicking on Morgan Power Steering
The conversion to power steering retains the original steering rack or steering box. Then a modifed or replacement steering column is fitted which incorporates an electric motor to provide the power assistance.
The amount of assistance provided depends on the load on the steering is under. So at slow speed when the steering is naturally heavy, maximum assistance will be given, but as a car's speed increases, so the weight of the steering will decrease and the amount of power assistance progressively decreases. This design helps maintain the correct amount of 'feel' within the steering when travelling at normal road speeds.
The picture shows an electric power steering kit for a Morgan, alongside the original steering column. Included in the kit, in addition to the replacement steering column, is an ECU and a wiring loom. The Morgan kit shown, is representative of a typical power steering kit fitted across a range of makes and models.
The electric motor is under the control of the ECU which receives an input signal saying how much load the steering system is under (provided via a torsion bar load sensor and sometimes also from a speed pulse signal). So lots of load at slow speed and progressively less load as speed increases. The software within ECU interprets this input signal and calculates the correct output signal to send to the electric motor, i.e. it tells the motor how much assistance to provide to the steering column.
As you would expect, the system is designed to be fail safe. So in the extremely unlikely event that the electric power steering stops working, the steering system will revert to a normal manual system and full control over the steering is maintained. Also, should the electrics fail, then the power assistance typically decreases smoothly over a 1 - 2 second period rather than abruply switching off.
The whole kit is designed to fit neatly under the dashboard and is therefore effectively hidden from sight. Also for most conversions, the kit bolts into place without any modifications required to car panels or bodywork. There are a few kits where some minor modification is required, but our Workshop and experienced Technicians are well equipped to carry out such work.