924Board.org

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

Anybody know of some way to convert the early model Audi based 924's to power steering? I figure if I can just get a rack mounted that lines up with the column I can fab the rest of what is needed.

Tierods and hoses would be no problem and I think I can mount a Honda pump driven off the cam where my distributor used to be.

Does anyone know if the 924S or early 944's might work? I am sure there is nothing that is a bolt in but there should be an Audi, VW or Porsche rack that may be close!

Todd

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

But Todd, you are getting rid of the best part of the 924. The fact that it has manual steering which has a great responsive feel makes it so much fun to drive compared to a modern power steering car. Take a look at Rennlist, there are always a bunch of guys converting their 944's to the early manual steering.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Slam · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 4:03 am Post subject:

Todd - The early 944 (or any 944 for that matter) and 924S racks won't fit the 924. The crossbrace on the '44 is entirely different from the '24 and the bolt pattern on the rack has different spacing. I've laid up the crossmembers side by side to see if the racks are interchangeable. They aren't IIRC. Unless I need my prescription checked...

Hey, Chrenan,

Where'd the summer go? With the band starting regular rehearsals now, I get to Edmonchuk more often. Wanna see about a P-car get-together?
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'88 944 Auto - may or may not resurrect

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Yeah, let's do it, I'll revive the thread...
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

Chrenan, you are probably right about ruining the road feel if I did this. I am throwing the idea around my head purely for autocrossing. I do love the way these cars feel on the road at speed but during autocrosses I am starting to show my age. After nearly 30 years of turning wrenches for a living my elbows, shoulders and fingers aren't what they used to be. Maybe I'll try some different tires to get the turning effort down.

Slam, thanks for the heads up on what wont work. Sounds like you were considering the same thing so if I come up with something that works I'll be sure to let you know.

Todd

leadfoot · Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2005 6:02 pm Post subject:

Well if you convert using an electric based motor as oppsosed to hydraulic then you could vary the assistance with resistors and have multiple settings a the flick of a switch.
The was a writeup on this at autospeed I believe. The hard part is adapting a motor or another rack with one. I'd be looking at other VW's for a passat or something similar that fits the mold.
Leadfoot
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1981 ROW 924 Turbo -
carbon fiber GT mish mash
LS1 conversion in progress...

Chrenan · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 3903 Location: Canada

Todd, good point, didn't mean to come down on you. What width tires are you running? I've heard some people complain that even a little bit wider than stock makes the steering very heavy.

Does anyone know what happened with the Euro cars? Did the 1982 to 1985 models ever come with power steering? If so, maybe you could do a conversion. I'll check PET tonight when I get home.
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1987 951 - M193 Version for Japan

Viking · Joined: 30 Jan 2003 Posts: 107 Location: Oslo, Norway

Powersteering is standard only on the '85. (Which apart from heated nozzles was the "improvement" that year.)

But be ware..... The tie rods changed in '83 from a 477 part to a 944 part. They are not interchangeble, the 477 parts are too short for you to adjust to anything near a reasonalble toe, which leads me to believe that the rack itself might also be different.

So, if you are getting it from an '85, be sure to get enough parts.

endwrench · Joined: 07 Dec 2002 Posts: 1631 Location: Victor, Montana

Hmmm, the electric assist sounds interesting but complicated and possibly costly. I like strange things like this so I might look into it.

At the moment I am running 195\60R15 on 7" rims on the front. The steering effort isn't too much for street driving or parking manuevers but I think it could be better. I remember how steering effort would change on my old VW Super Beetle when I would change out tires of the same size but different make and\or tread design. I think Pirellies were the worst.

I'd like to get hold of one of those 1985 racks but they are a bit rare on this side of the pond.

Thanks for the info and suggestions.

Todd