Removing the powersteering

[jonathon5]

Has anyone removed the powersteering ?

Did it give lots more feel ?

[mark1311]

dont even have to use the search button just scroll down.

http://www.saxperience.com/forum/showthread.php?t=358537

[DanGT]

^^ that thread is misleading I'd say. Removing the power steering gives a bit more feel but the main reason I did it is the weight. The whole unit/pipes and ram, is around 9kg, not to mention the drag it causes the engine via the alternator. Also, the PAS rack is almost identical lock to lock as the non pas, and with the hydraulic ram removed is the same resistance. I run sticky tyres and its manageable, but if your going really wide, upwards of 205 wide then I'd think about leaving it in. Especially for a road car.

[axsaxoman]

I could go into a whole lot about this --simple answer is don,t do it ,if you must then change complete rack for an non p/s type --
been there and with sticky tyres +lsd + lots of power ,its not the way

[Dave_P]

Just to add to what john said... If you swap to a non pas rack you need to swap the pedal box/column/gubbins to servo and probably do some fab work because the pas pedal box is bigger than the non pas ones...and the non pas rack is slower.

I went the other way and fitted a saxo pas rack/pedal box etc to my 106 rallye but without the pas in make the steering quicker.

[Beaniemoo]

Also non pas rack is about 3.75 turns lock to lock which isn't great if you ask me.
Did it on my old black Saxo, but I can't comment on the pedal box issue as I was running a racing pedal box

[Dave_P]

Should be 4 turns, the ax rack is 3.5 but that's still not quick enough... 3 is acceptable IMO.

[axsaxoman]

number of turs is not a great issue --you can always fit a smaller steering wheel --you will never use a great deal of lock when moving anyway,but hit a kerb with no pas and it could make you loose grip on wheel if it is too heavy -for all the bother and the weight saving -easier to fit smaller wheel

[Dave_P]

The number of turns is totally the issue IMO, I seem to remember you commenting on the amount of steering input I had to give when I had a 3.5 Turn AX rack fitted to my 106... Fitting a smaller steering wheel doesn't alter the lock to lock ratio of the rack... The steering shouldn't be too heavy without pas as long as the ram is removed... Unless it's a 9 stone weakling driving.

[AlexB]

Just to add to what john said... If you swap to a non pas rack you need to swap the pedal box/column/gubbins to servo and probably do some fab work because the pas pedal box is bigger than the non pas ones...and the non pas rack is slower.

I went the other way and fitted a saxo pas rack/pedal box etc to my 106 rallye but without the pas in make the steering quicker.

The pedal box bit of this isnt allways the case
in a series 1 106 and the ax the box is different to the later type and yes it wont fit
but saxo and series 2 then there interchangeable just need the matching column

I put a 1.1 rack and colum from a saxo into my old red gti a few years back no pedal box issues at all

[willsy]

Dave which AX rack did you use? The early Mk1 AX rack is believed to be shorter/quicker than the Mk2 AX racks.

Ill check that with mine once I get it back again

[Dave_P]

It was just one my pal had lying about but it was a straight fit to my s1 106.

[axsaxoman]

I am not wanting to start angrument ,but maybe the amount of input you were having to give your car was to do with the way it is set -up ,thats not a direct critisim
its the way you like it,but howit is set up ,ride height(f to R) ,castor ,front to rear balance( corner weights+F to R split+ spring rates) ,tyre pressures etc,etc will decide how dead the steering is in the middle and how much lock you need to give it to make it turn in , and how much understeer it has.
the less you have to muscle up to keep control ,the easier it is to be delicate when on the edge,and a 1min hill climb is not the same as 40 min race
I, m not sure .but will an ax rack fit a saxo--,mk1 106 is same as ax ,but not sure if its same as mk2.
ax has rubber centre ends on track rods ,saxo has 2 sided ball joint

[AlexB]

I, m not sure .but will an ax rack fit a saxo--,mk1 106 is same as ax ,but not sure if its same as mk2.
ax has rubber centre ends on track rods ,saxo has 2 sided ball joint

it was this type of rack toad had fitted to his s2 gti when he went to non pas witht hte rubber centres in
therefor i would assume it would fit in a saxo aswell not sure on what he did with column/pedal box ect though

[axsaxoman]

rubber centres are a disadavantage as you have some variable tracking under load ,especially if old + worn ,and no ax can be younger than 17 years old