Has anyone done this,If so do you use the mk5 escort rack and pump, is it worth it or will it become too light and all in all not worth it?

all veiws are much apriciated.

Wes

 

Ford did P/S on "some" cabbys late in the run but rocking horse to find

 

Not too difficult to do, but obviously very few has done it. Biggest job would be to find and fit the perfect rack. The biggest reason to do so, would be getting a faster rack.

Electric steering column or a complete electric rack would also be options.

 

Motorbility cars came with P/S but only ever broke one of them in 5 years as an escort breaker saw 2 on J and K reg Mk4 scort cabs (i guess ford where using up the unused mobility racks on the run out cabs) as i say very very rare even wneh they were new no days finding the correct rack will be ni-on impossable moding a mK5 one will probably be easyer

 

Are you sure they fitted power racks to the last Cabbys? There's nothing in any of the catalogues I've got about power steering and there is no Mk4 Escort power steering rack listed on Microcat (although there is an air-conditioning system!)

I thought the motorbility cars were retrofitted with PAS by motorbility themselves using aftermarket racks. Could be wrong though.

A Mk5 Escort rack won't fit - the mountings are totally different.

 

i have power steering on my mk4 and it was a huge job.
its sweet tho and i love driving it.
mk5 racks are no good as they are way too wide and are the wrong type of fitment.
my rack is a nissan bluebird rack.
its totally custom though.
custom p/s pipes at Ł30 a go.
track rods modified to have escort rods added to them.
chassis modified.
steering columb modified alot.
clutch pedal modified to clear.
its a big job and to be honest dont bother with the mk3/4 unless you can find a chairman, but i think even them have modded chassis.
my opinion is sell it and buy a fiesta rs1800 with power steering already fitted

 

There was never a MK4 road car with P/S to my knowledge, i have heard the mobility ones came with P/S but i can't see Ford developing power steering to fit onto a model they only sold a handful of!

Mk5 cab's had power steering though i believe........

More than likely retro fitted by mobility themselves as you say, but either way it could still be sued if you can find one (good luck )

And above all......is it really worth it, the steering isnt THAT heavy, and when you lower and put bigger wheels on the steering becomes very light anyway

 

I had a mk4 escort estate mobility car with the power steering i payed 40 note's for it and sold it an hour latter for 120 if only id have know then how much the power steering was worth

 

Seen someone quoting Ł750 for the Corsa B or Corsa C electric conversion today

And some say that is cheap

 

It's not so much of a question if the steering is heavy, but the steering is nearly 4 turns from lock to lock. Assisted racks usually have a LOT faster ratio. Also, using a Corsa style rack wouldn't make the steering any faster, without fitting a fast rack too.

 

I see your point, but who realistically needs a fast rack on a road car, for the majority of driving you never turn the wheel more than a turn in each direction i find

 

I'm sure Motability must have used a rack of something else when they converted these cars. As someone has already said Ford would never develop a special rack for such a small number of cars. And if they had of done they would have offered it as an option on other models.

It would be interesting to see one of these racks to see if we can figure out what car its from. It might not even be a Ford. The hoses, pump etc are easy - you can get them off a Mk5 with PAS

 

MarkN aint got a clue what rack was on it i didn't even open the bonnet i only had the car for about an hour then sold it if only id new then what i know now

 

nob

 

I wouldn't worry about it mate. You only gave away one of the rarest Mk3/4 Escort parts there is.

Never mind lol

 

So how different is the mk 5 rack to the mk 4? are the mounting points totally out? can they not be moded to take the mk 4 mounting points or are they slightly longer?

I presume the pump, pipes and the resivoir from the mk 5 can be used, just the rack I will need to sort.

thanks for the ideas!

wez

 

a mk5 rack is a no go.
its too wide and its mounted a totally different way and the columb cant bolt to it.
mk5 hoses are a no go as they only fit mk5 racks.
i know a company who make pipes but they aint cheap.
as i said before my nissan bluebird rack is about the closest rack and i know of someone who has a kit for sale for a cvh.
well they did when i brought mine.
its tendering ford spares near clacton in essex.
but believe me its no easy job to fit! you need to be a dab hand with a grinder/ welder etc etc
dont say i didnt tell yu!!
p/ steering is better as you can park without looking like arnie when you finished.
mine is bit quicker than standard mk4.
quicker steering is a must over the standard mk4 rack, the mk4 rack takes a big turn to get it round a 90 degrees corner, a faster rack gets round with alot less turn so there's less shuffling of the wheel and getting yu arms crossed up which is a pain if you driving fast.

 

didnt get many pics of my p/s gear.

 

Think Jano posted about him doing a conversion using Puma stuff

 

Isn't Puma stuff the same as a Mk4 Fiesta?