Easy motor support for E Power Steering system.

[SJDave]

Finishing up my installation of EPowerSteering system this week; I thought the one bracket that bolts to the 1" square tubing would be sufficient, but after talking to Jeff Miller a couple weeks ago when picking up a buddies car, he said NO.. A couple guys he's done paint for had it, and he says you can watch the tubing twist. Ok, scared me enough to look at a mount to support the bottom of the Motor itself. Here's what I found:
1) McMaster Carr had this anti vibration pipe mount in the correct diameter of the motor, and pretty cheap!
2) Amazon had a Alternator adjustable tie rod for cheap.
3) Fab a couple steel brackets;
4) Drill and tap 2 holes in the cross 4" frame tube and I'm done.

The instructions are about a C+ in my opinion, many things you just have to figure out on your own. Pictures all suck. Wire lengths are mostly way too short, so you have to extend 70% of them, no instructions on how to remove pins from connectors so you can get some shrink tubing over your splices. Took me an hour to figure out all 3 types used. No mounting bracket supplied for the Electric Box, so I fabbed a simple steel bracket and popped some Rivnuts in the F Panel. Since I couldn't get to the set screws holding the steering shaft into the firewall swivel bearing, I had to loosen and move the Steering Rack up and forward to get the couplers off the stock steering shaft, so that I could remove it and cut out a 9 1/2 section and weld on new couplers...what a pain. So what I recommend is cutting 10 1/2" out so the lower steering shaft so it sticks out 1" from the spherical bearing at the firewall. You don't need the set screws there at all now, the motor locks the shaft position. So if you need to service the motor, just undo the coupling and shove the lower shaft up into the double D upper shaft.

I you want drawings of the brackets PM me and include your Email address.
Cheers,
Dave

[F500guy]

Nice post Dave, I had that concern with the setup and 2 bolts into the frame. A lot of weight and momentum would be hanging on that bar. I have not yet got my kit, but I did settle on the DCE EPAS system, it has a manual and auto mode and I can plug a speed sensor into the transmission for auto mode. It also is a new manufactured unit and not using the rebuilt motors. I will PM you, if you could send some info, that would be great so I can get a good idea what I need to fab up when the time comes.

[JIMOCO]

Hi Dave, I like you set up. Can you please send the info. PM sent.

[Bobby Doug]

Please send information. PM sent.
Thanks

[MB750]

Nice design, great idea.

Quick question though, but why does there seem to be a large disparity in pricing on these electronic power steering kits? I've seen them go from $750 to over $2000. They all look like the same design.

[F500guy]

Some systems the controller is very limited, many are re-manufactured units, I looked at Rock Auto to try and buy a new motor assembly (saturn Vue) and they are unavailable. DCE just introduced a brand new system with new manufactured motors and 3 options for control. Some come with mounting hardware, so I suspect there is room for markup based on who is supplying.

[MB750]

This thread has really sent me down the rabbit hole on EPS options.

Apparently if you don't mind used, and aren't afraid of a little fabrication, the late model import car market has quite a few EPS systems that have their own fail-safe feature where they don't need external sensing to take load off the steering wheel.

Quite a few Youtube videos of people making these junk yard EPS systems work on anything too. Just big power and ground wires (10ga I'm guessing), and a 12VDC signal to tell the ECU on the EPS the car is on and you're done.

[F500guy]

181672
This way Alice!!!:cool:

[narly1]

This thread has really sent me down the rabbit hole on EPS options.

Apparently if you don't mind used, and aren't afraid of a little fabrication, the late model import car market has quite a few EPS systems that have their own fail-safe feature where they don't need external sensing to take load off the steering wheel.

Quite a few Youtube videos of people making these junk yard EPS systems work on anything too. Just big power and ground wires (10ga I'm guessing), and a 12VDC signal to tell the ECU on the EPS the car is on and you're done.

I'm with you! Also bear in mind that for me being in Canada, pricing in USD for the new options make a trip to the wrecking yard that much more enticing.

IMO the subject of DIY EPAS setups using salvage parts merits a lot more discussion.

I'm frugal so expect some trail blazing from me on this subject sometime after I finally take ownership my kit which should be in the next month or so LOL.

Earl

[MB750]

I'm with you! Also bear in mind that for me being in Canada, pricing in USD for the new options make a trip to the wrecking yard that much more enticing.

IMO the subject of DIY EPAS setups using salvage parts merits a lot more discussion.

I'm frugal so expect some trail blazing from me on this subject sometime after I finally take ownership my kit which should be in the next month or so LOL.

Earl

Likewise from me as well. This website may help your search at the boneyard:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/toyota-electric-power-steering-eps-conversion/

Models and year ranges, and wiring diagrams with pinouts of specific EPS modules. Good stuff!

[narly1]

This website may help your search at the boneyard:

https://www.therangerstation.com/tech/toyota-electric-power-steering-eps-conversion/ Good stuff!

Agreed! I've seen that one before and is part of my inspiration going forward.

Earl

[MB750]

Agreed! I've seen that one before and is part of my inspiration going forward.

Earl

From the looks of things, the Nissan units are the ones best for our Cobras. That puts the electric motor on the right side of the steering shaft while also pointing down (just like the kits available). If you look at the orientation of the Prius EPS, the electric motor and most of the housing would be on the left side of the steering shaft (while pointing down). That puts it too far into chassis rail and F-panel.

But I guess it depends on how much clearance you have. My steering shaft is about 3" to the right of the chassis rail everything bolts to. I'd need to take some measurements to see if the Prius EPS would fit.

[narly1]

From the looks of things, the Nissan units are the ones best for our Cobras.

Agreed but bear in mind I'm building a Speedstar which is a different creature in it's own right.

Earl

[retiredinalabama]

I just received my epowersteering kit and it says to keep the ECU out of the weather. Is the engine bay, F panel, the best place to install the ECU given the fact that it could get wet?

[runamuk]

I just received my epowersteering kit and it says to keep the ECU out of the weather. Is the engine bay, F panel, the best place to install the ECU given the fact that it could get wet?

I have seen builds with it mounted on the F panel above the motor, but I mounted mine to the firewall behind the dash to bring it inside out of the harsh environment.

Also thank you SJDave, I made a support mount similar to yours.

[SJDave]

I have seen builds with it mounted on the F panel above the motor, but I mounted mine to the firewall behind the dash to bring it inside out of the harsh environment.

Also thank you SJDave, I made a support mount similar to yours.

Your very welcome, the forum has saved my butt numerous times over the last 12 years, glad I had something to share to make it easier for others.

I did finish up rough alignment this weekend when the rain was nice enough to stop for a few days in California and took it out for test drive. I LIKE IT! Very happy with the feel and adjustability with the dash mounted boost control. Used about 50% to back it out of the garage and about 15% on the road, plenty of power for these light weight cars. There is NO rubbery feel in the steering at all, so I think the lower motor mount is doing the job and taking the flex out of the 1" square tubing. Always feels good when a project meets your expectations!