Power Steering

1
Hi,
Has anyone on the forum got or driven a syncro without power steering? What's it like? I drove many vehicles without PS, cars & 4WD's in my younger life. Not something I'd return to willingly.

and... Has anyone on the forum converted manual to power steering?
Looks like a fairly big job looking in Bentley.

Bruce.
Adelaide.
2
Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?
3
Why would you need to Rowan? Greg


Sent from Greg's iPhone

On 4 May 2019, at 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?

4
Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?


--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting
5
If it is of any help:
1. My 3.6 Porsche powered T3 Caravelle has it's Porsche PS pump now connected.
When we first built it, my then VW mechanic used a VW pump, and it was very good.
I like the Porsche pump because with the wider tyres it is so light, 
so much so, that I have to readapt if I have not driven it for a while, but once adapted it is great.
2. My two Syncros, have stock VW pumps, and I have never wished for more.
Especially off road.
3. My 1990 C Type Caravelle 2WD has no power steering, and at my age, I wish that it did.
Parking it in a shopping centre car park is a time consuming struggle event, 
but on the road I think that it is probably the best of them all.

My first T3, a 1982 air cooled window van, now the Bergmeister, did not have PS.
I loved it, and had no problem with the steering. but that was 38 years ago and I was much younger.

I did a silly thing back then. 
The Syncro became available and I wanted one.
I approached an exec at the importers and ask for one with special features,
one of which was no PS, because the ’82 was so good.
He knocked me back so that I had to buy one with the importers specs.
I’m so glad, because I think a Syncro without PS would have been a disaster.

Peter





On 4 May 2019, at 3:26 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?



Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

-- 
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting



6
Agree Peter.

My Dad used to have a non-power steering syncro and it was very heavy to steer at low speeds. All good at highway speeds.

I however, love the power steering version - its great.

Cheers,

Scott

On 5/05/2019 11:34 am, Peter SCHWEINSBERG peter@peterandval.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
If it is of any help:
1. My 3.6 Porsche powered T3 Caravelle has it's Porsche PS pump now connected.
When we first built it, my then VW mechanic used a VW pump, and it was very good.
I like the Porsche pump because with the wider tyres it is so light,
so much so, that I have to readapt if I have not driven it for a while, but once adapted it is great.
2. My two Syncros, have stock VW pumps, and I have never wished for more.
Especially off road.
3. My 1990 C Type Caravelle 2WD has no power steering, and at my age, I wish that it did.
Parking it in a shopping centre car park is a time consuming struggle event,
but on the road I think that it is probably the best of them all.

My first T3, a 1982 air cooled window van, now the Bergmeister, did not have PS.
I loved it, and had no problem with the steering. but that was 38 years ago and I was much younger.

I did a silly thing back then.
The Syncro became available and I wanted one.
I approached an exec at the importers and ask for one with special features,
one of which was no PS, because the ’82 was so good.
He knocked me back so that I had to buy one with the importers specs.
I’m so glad, because I think a Syncro without PS would have been a disaster.

Peter





On 4 May 2019, at 3:26 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?



Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting




--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting
7
Has anyone installed an electric PS unit?
Cheers
Mark

On Sun, 5 May 2019 at 6:07 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Agree Peter.

My Dad used to have a non-power steering syncro and it was very heavy to steer at low speeds. All good at highway speeds.

I however, love the power steering version - its great.

Cheers,

Scott

On 5/05/2019 11:34 am, Peter SCHWEINSBERG peter@peterandval.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
If it is of any help:
1. My 3.6 Porsche powered T3 Caravelle has it's Porsche PS pump now connected.
When we first built it, my then VW mechanic used a VW pump, and it was very good.
I like the Porsche pump because with the wider tyres it is so light,
so much so, that I have to readapt if I have not driven it for a while, but once adapted it is great.
2. My two Syncros, have stock VW pumps, and I have never wished for more.
Especially off road.
3. My 1990 C Type Caravelle 2WD has no power steering, and at my age, I wish that it did.
Parking it in a shopping centre car park is a time consuming struggle event,
but on the road I think that it is probably the best of them all.

My first T3, a 1982 air cooled window van, now the Bergmeister, did not have PS.
I loved it, and had no problem with the steering. but that was 38 years ago and I was much younger.

I did a silly thing back then.
The Syncro became available and I wanted one.
I approached an exec at the importers and ask for one with special features,
one of which was no PS, because the ’82 was so good.
He knocked me back so that I had to buy one with the importers specs.
I’m so glad, because I think a Syncro without PS would have been a disaster.

Peter





On 4 May 2019, at 3:26 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?


--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting




--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting

--
Mark Fisher- CEO

Australia
Swift Performance Equipment
Unit 2, 1472 Boundary Road, Wacol, 4076
Queensland, Australia
Postal: PO Box 2054, New Farm, 4005
Queensland, Australia
Office: +61 7 3879 3005

USA
Swift Performance LLC
3388a Commercial Ave. Northbrook IL, 60062 USA
Office: +1 224 501 9001


8
I was wondering about it because I had the misfortune of having tennis elbow in both my arms for over a year and a half.

It’s interesting to note differences such as the suby pump made no difference to the VW pump which under normal circumstances is very good. The Porsche pump lightens the steering a bit more.  
My arms are slowly getting better,  fingers crossed  so I won’t probably do anything, but what made me think of it was some engine conversions come with their own ps units, and the VW pump is quite small looking.  I have a second hand unit because my old pump was leaking.  

I was also considering a gear shifter extender to change the angle to see if that made any difference to my left arm if anyone has much experience with those of coarse it’s all personal preference, and this would really be a stab in the dark.  I drive with elbow guards on all the time but that is the only adjustment I have had to make.  I have been driving it less often as a result though.  Using my wife’s golf more and just using the van on weekends which is fine.

Thanks for letting me know anyway and joining the conversation.




Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, 6:11 pm, Mark Fisher mark@spe.com.au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

 

Has anyone installed an electric PS unit?
Cheers
Mark

On Sun, 5 May 2019 at 6:07 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:
 

Agree Peter.

My Dad used to have a non-power steering syncro and it was very heavy to steer at low speeds. All good at highway speeds.

I however, love the power steering version - its great.

Cheers,

Scott

On 5/05/2019 11:34 am, Peter SCHWEINSBERG peter@peterandval.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
 
If it is of any help:
1. My 3.6 Porsche powered T3 Caravelle has it's Porsche PS pump now connected.
When we first built it, my then VW mechanic used a VW pump, and it was very good.
I like the Porsche pump because with the wider tyres it is so light, 
so much so, that I have to readapt if I have not driven it for a while, but once adapted it is great.
2. My two Syncros, have stock VW pumps, and I have never wished for more.
Especially off road.
3. My 1990 C Type Caravelle 2WD has no power steering, and at my age, I wish that it did.
Parking it in a shopping centre car park is a time consuming struggle event, 
but on the road I think that it is probably the best of them all.

My first T3, a 1982 air cooled window van, now the Bergmeister, did not have PS.
I loved it, and had no problem with the steering. but that was 38 years ago and I was much younger.

I did a silly thing back then. 
The Syncro became available and I wanted one.
I approached an exec at the importers and ask for one with special features,
one of which was no PS, because the ’82 was so good.
He knocked me back so that I had to buy one with the importers specs.
I’m so glad, because I think a Syncro without PS would have been a disaster.

Peter





On 4 May 2019, at 3:26 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?


-- 
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting




--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting

--
Mark Fisher- CEO

Australia
Swift Performance Equipment
Unit 2, 1472 Boundary Road, Wacol, 4076 
Queensland, Australia
Postal: PO Box 2054, New Farm, 4005
Queensland, Australia

USA
Swift Performance LLC
3388a Commercial Ave. Northbrook IL, 60062 USA


9
Hi Rowan.

Best of luck with your arm.

The Subaru power steering pump is at best the same size as the VW unit and the Subie version may actually be smaller. It does the job though - same as the Subie water pump (some people add a Davies Craig water pump but it not necessary and just complicates the cooling system and may actually cause cavitation I have read.

One pump is ideal - just make it a good one - most VW pumps are fine and wont blow out seals and kill steering racks.

Cheers,

Scott

On 6/05/2019 10:47 am, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

I was wondering about it because I had the misfortune of having tennis elbow in both my arms for over a year and a half.


It’s interesting to note differences such as the suby pump made no difference to the VW pump which under normal circumstances is very good. The Porsche pump lightens the steering a bit more.
My arms are slowly getting better, fingers crossed so I won’t probably do anything, but what made me think of it was some engine conversions come with their own ps units, and the VW pump is quite small looking. I have a second hand unit because my old pump was leaking.

I was also considering a gear shifter extender to change the angle to see if that made any difference to my left arm if anyone has much experience with those of coarse it’s all personal preference, and this would really be a stab in the dark. I drive with elbow guards on all the time but that is the only adjustment I have had to make. I have been driving it less often as a result though. Using my wife’s golf more and just using the van on weekends which is fine.

Thanks for letting me know anyway and joining the conversation.




Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

On Sunday, May 5, 2019, 6:11 pm, Mark Fisher mark@spe.com..au [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Has anyone installed an electric PS unit?
Cheers
Mark

On Sun, 5 May 2019 at 6:07 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Agree Peter.

My Dad used to have a non-power steering syncro and it was very heavy to steer at low speeds. All good at highway speeds.

I however, love the power steering version - its great.

Cheers,

Scott

On 5/05/2019 11:34 am, Peter SCHWEINSBERG peter@peterandval.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:
If it is of any help:
1. My 3.6 Porsche powered T3 Caravelle has it's Porsche PS pump now connected.
When we first built it, my then VW mechanic used a VW pump, and it was very good.
I like the Porsche pump because with the wider tyres it is so light,
so much so, that I have to readapt if I have not driven it for a while, but once adapted it is great.
2. My two Syncros, have stock VW pumps, and I have never wished for more.
Especially off road.
3. My 1990 C Type Caravelle 2WD has no power steering, and at my age, I wish that it did.
Parking it in a shopping centre car park is a time consuming struggle event,
but on the road I think that it is probably the best of them all.

My first T3, a 1982 air cooled window van, now the Bergmeister, did not have PS.
I loved it, and had no problem with the steering. but that was 38 years ago and I was much younger.

I did a silly thing back then.
The Syncro became available and I wanted one.
I approached an exec at the importers and ask for one with special features,
one of which was no PS, because the ’82 was so good.
He knocked me back so that I had to buy one with the importers specs.
I’m so glad, because I think a Syncro without PS would have been a disaster.

Peter





On 4 May 2019, at 3:26 pm, Scott Pitcher spbconsulting@bigpond..com [Syncro_T3_Australia] <Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com> wrote:



Hi Rowan,

I have a Subaru power steering pump in my syncro. It works fine - but so did the VW power steering pump - No noticeable difference.

If your pump or rack is leaking you will have issues.

Cheers,

Scott

On 4/05/2019 12:09 pm, Rowan Hardinge rowan.hardinge@yahoo.com [Syncro_T3_Australia] wrote:

Has anyone put a larger power steering pump on this syncro and did it make a difference?


--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting




--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting
--
Mark Fisher- CEO

Australia
Swift Performance Equipment
Unit 2, 1472 Boundary Road, Wacol, 4076
Queensland, Australia
Postal: PO Box 2054, New Farm, 4005
Queensland, Australia

USA
Swift Performance LLC
3388a Commercial Ave. Northbrook IL, 60062 USA



--
Best regards, Scott Pitcher SPB Consulting