Series 3 Power steering installation

Has anyone added power steering to their Series LR?
I do like my creature comforts.
I'd like a rough estimate of price please, if you've gone through it.
Labour and parts if possible...
Thank you, as always

You have to be careful about it. It can be done, used to be common to use a p38 setup, don't know if that's still the case.
You have to bear in mind the extra strain put on components with the extra power eg turning the wheel while stationary will wear things out faster

Easier not to fit daft tyres.

There is a build thread with it…

If the steering is too heavy for you, a years' gym membership would be cheaper.

plus make sure you're moving slightly as you turn the wheel

thank you all. tbh not something i have decided to do, but was a question. i'd rather get teh headgasket and other bits done first.

kermit_rr said:

You have to bear in mind the extra strain put on components with the extra power eg turning the wheel while stationary will wear things out faster

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Nonsense.

300bhp/ton said:

Nonsense.

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It applies to modern cars, why not to a series?

EmilH said:

Has anyone added power steering to their Series LR?
I do like my creature comforts.
I'd like a rough estimate of price please, if you've gone through it.
Labour and parts if possible...
Thank you, as always

Click to expand...

You have a number of options.

Firstly, Series steering in good order shouldn't be all that heavy. Parking speeds you should almost be able to palm the steering wheel round when on tarmac on standard tyres.

Off road the standard steering can kick back in the ruts however.

If the steering is heavy and gone heavier, then chances are the steering needs attention. There are a lot of linkages and components. All could make the steering heavy, however the relay an the steering box are quite likely. But any semi seized linkages can cause heaviness and slop too.

So option 1 is to refresh the standard steering. but replacing all of the parts can add up. Any half decent mechanic or garage should be able to fit and replace these parts or have a go yourself for some of it.

If you want to go for power assisted steering. There are probably 4 main routes.

One is an external hydraulic ram, Heystee used to or maybe still offer a kit for this. It was expensive, but did retain all of the standard steering components. The steering really wants to be in good condition though, so you might need to end up doing the above too. Biggest benefit is, it is easy to remove. And won't cause your vehicle to loose identity points (if it is in the UK).

Other popular options have been to retro fit other Land Rover models PAS setups. In the past time it would have been a Defender steering box, but this requires some major welding and rejigging of bits in the engine bay. A more modern approach is to use a Range Rover p38 box, it still needs welding, but mounts on the outside of the chassis and is a lot less work to implement.

In both cases you will need to replace the steering column with a PAS unit. So probably a change of steering wheel. And you'll have to sort out the drag and steering links. Most times this will require some custom fab work, although Steve Parkers offers a kit for some of the p38 bits. But it does depend on exactly how you implement this.

For any hydraulic setup you'll need to somehow power it. So you will need to mod the engine accessories or combine it with an engine swap such as a Rover V8 or Tdi. Which makes a much bigger job.

Changing the steering like this could impact the vehicles identity: https://www.gov.uk/vehicle-registration/radically-altered-vehicles

As for fitting, again any competent mechanic who can weld. Its only nuts and bolts at the end of the day.

The last option and one I've not seen finished (although there was a thread on here about doing it a few years back). Is to retrofit a more modern electronic power steering. I believe someone was looking at a Corsa setup. But no idea if it ever worked. You'd obviously want it to be up to the task of steering a Land Rover.

I fitted a p38 based setup on my Tdi converted S3 88. There is a link in my signature if you want details.

PAS will not cause wear on any other components, so you can ignore that.

kermit_rr said:

It applies to modern cars, why not to a series?

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No it doesn't. There can't be a car in the history of the motor vehicle that has worn something out by turning the steering wheel and having PAS. What exactly do you think will wear and/or break??

thanks for the really useful reply.

EmilH said:

thanks for the really useful reply.

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I fitted a hybrid 110 / discovery 1 system to my 109 in my build thread. It can be done but the job shouldn’t be taken lightly. You need to be a decent welder and get the measurements right. Sounds obvious I know.
Worth doing though, if you think you need it and have the time to do it. Lots of good info in the previous comments too.

EmilH said:

thanks for the really useful reply.

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Nearly finished mine, few more weekends I hope, just sorting mostly electrics out now!