Electric Power Steering 409

[MYTA21]

Earlier threads dealt with possible power steering additions to the earlier V8 cars. However, over here in Australia, the cost and availability of modifying to the factory fitted PS options are prohibitive.
Last year when the BOCA held their rally in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, one owner of an earlier car told me that an Aussie firm did electric power steering kits which should fit a 409.

Does anyone have information on this please.

Thanks
Mike Osborne

[Barrie]

I've not seen a Bristol with electric power steering but this firm may be able to produce a solution.

EZ ELECTRIC POWER STEERING

[MYTA21]

Thanks Barrie, I will contact them in Holland and see if they can supply something. That an air con in out current weather of 35C + will make the car that much more usable!
Mike

[MYTA21]

Thanks to Barrie's info, I found the EZ website for the company in Holland. On that there is a section where motoring magazines from many countries are listed. These lead you to PDF articles on cars fitted with EZ PS systems. No Bristols, but an Australian magazine was included. From this, there was info on Cummins Cars in Sydney, agends for EZ. Looks promising.

[MYTA21]

I have chased up the possibility of the electric PS kit with EZ in Holland and got a quick reply this time from them on
info@ezpowersteering.nl

Mariëlle de Keijzer

TEL. 00 31 345633551

They have done a 408 and I reclkon it's the same as a non PS 409 going by parts book

Cost is 2350 Euros and 175 Euros freight to Australia
They also told me of their agent in Australia, in Sydney, but I got no reply from last time.

Availability of this may well shed a whole new light on how long I keep the car, as a shoulder injury gives me a niggle these days!

[GREG]

I fitted the Vauxhall Corsa EPS to a 406 -- the Corsa or Fiat Punto would / could fit any Bristol and any nearby local rally / grass tracking place will have people experienced at doing this for far less than the cheese head prices, as they have been doing it for years ( long before EPS Holland ) ! ACCS have fitted one to a 408 in the UK.

I bought the Corsa system on eBay for £60 and the control box was around another £20 on eBay. It probably works better than 411 PAS ! So well worth doing if you are finding it difficult to handle the steering on 400 to 408.

As mentioned on their web site , if everything goes wrong, the worst that can happen is it goes back to normal steering.

I guess at 2350,euros I should go into business ! :-) 2345 anyone ?

[MYTA21]

I will see if an equivalent Holden model is around in Australia, as at tha price it is worth a look.
EJ say it is 8 hours for them to fit a system, but would allow 12 for first timers. That adds about A$1000 to the cost, even at country labour rates.

[GREG]

Lots of options and good info here too -- easysteer electric power steering specialists

[GREG]

And one in Oz that sells some handy add on bits -- https://www.ultimatepowersteering.com.au/motorsport/#

[GREG]

After reading this I'm not so sure ! Power Steering For Classic Cars

[MYTA21]

Some years after looking at getting power steering fitted to my 409, I decided that with aching shoulders, it was fix it or sell it time. Various jobs carried out on the steering in order to determine if it could be made easier. I bought the Ezy system from Holland direct after getting no response from the Aussie dealer. It took me about 12 hours to fit and the first thing I noticed was that the old inner column was tight in the outer cover. Probably re-bushed and not reamed out.
I am pleased to say that the car is transformed and well worth the money, so now keeping it! Ezy were most helpful in many ways as regards details and fitting.

[Peter Hoskin]

Mike, I am about to purchase a 408 and would be keen to fit electric ps. I have visited the EZ agent in Sydney and he has quoted for a kit and to fit at $150 per hour saying it might take 10 hours.
I have also sent an inquiry to DC Electronics of UK - Ultimate Power Steering of Brisbane is their agent.
I would be very interested to hear your experience?
Peter Hoskin
Canberra