Lancia Beta Forum

It's almost eleven years since I first posted here trying to find out general information about a Beta "convertible" I'd just bought and every question over the years has always been answered in a tolerant and helpful manner.

Anyway, I kind of need to add power steering to my 1978 pre-facelift spyder for technical reasons (I'm a bit decrepid) and I wonder is there an electric rack off some modern car that can be modified to work without too much physical, mechanical, mental or fiscal effort?

Alternatively and probably more realistically, how difficult or easy is it to fit an original Beta system and where do the reservoir and pump mount?

I should add that I have zero interest in taking the engine and gearbox out ;)

I understand creeping old age as a major factor for power steering. I have installed Power steering onto my Beta Spyder by using VX parts in part because I am not 20 anymore. To do this is definitely engine and gearbox plus dashboard and heater out stuff. Basically you drill out the spot welds and remove the non PS structure from the bulkhead and swap for the structure you have removed from a VX bulkhead filling some holes and cutting VX type new ones. To do it needs hubs, rack, pump, reservoir, IE or VX pedalbox, IE or VX brake cross link.

So electric power steering. Many after market installs use the Corsa B electric column and a variable speed controller (car builder solutions sell one). To do this you will need to match the spline pattern on the Universal joint section or safely join to the Lancia original plus fabricate brackets for the switch  assembly. Probably need a Corsa hub for a Momo wheel. Multiple firms advertised at Classic car shows for doing Electric PS conversions having spotted the lack of youth in classic cars owners, but I do not know of one that has done this for a Beta Spyder or Beta Coupe. It will be a case of calling round to find out. In reality you probably want variable assistance you turn up for parking and off for country lanes.

Good Luck

Eric         

Hi

Oddly enough it was something that I had been pondering on over the last few weeks. Not necessarily for now, but definitely as time goes on and the variable effort available and lack of more fluids made electric an interesting option.

Peter

Thanks guys.
Interviews for position of chauffer commencing in early 2021 ;D

Another option is available if you’re feeling adventurous.
Toyota Prius electric power steering can be made to fit/work.  It’s a tight fit and a bit of work but with limited options I thought it was worth a try for similars reasons to your own. (No engine out required)
Have a search for “beta electric power steering”.
I’ve put my experience up for perusal.

Ian

As an unwilling member of the 'decrepit old gits' club I will be following developments with interest. Definitely interested in electrically assisted PS, lots of belts, pulleys and pumps not so much.

You can also go half and half - an electric pump with a conventional power steering rack. That still needs the different bulkhead of course but it might be the route I choose.

Hi

Just resurrecting this thread as about to replace the fluid in the Saab’s power steering. I have not done it before and after reading the good book Haynes, realise the rack on mine (diesel) is a self contained rack, ie has a built in electric motor to power the fluid. As mentioned by Stuart above, I wonder if these may be an option over the pure electric ones. Obviously more complicated, but a complete working unit in one.

Peter

Hi Peter,
I’ve been looking into this a little and it’s on my list of mods to play with. It’s a popular mod on kit cars and drift cars for different reasons and many people often do it for simplicity when they’re swapping engines out regularly as there is no fluid to drain from the engine mounted mechanical designs. The VX coupe will be my guinea pig. I think there are a few advantages to the electric power steering pumps such as no power sapping mechanical pump and I expect a more consistent assistance level when the engine revs are low (parking etc).
Not sure which electric pump assembly I will opt for as there seems to be a few choices out there but a major factor will be size. I’d like to fit it where the original beta power steering reservoir currently sits without cutting the inner wing if possible.
Hopefully I’ll get this mod in the VX late this year and give an update.

Sorry Peter I didn’t realise your Saab was the type with the electric pump bolted directly into/onto the rack. In My previous post I was rattling on about the separate electric pump design on many Vauxhalls, Peugeot, Toyota MR2 etc.

Fitting a Saab type design into a Beta is fraught with major issues. Space is super tight on a beta around the bulkhead so there little chance of physically getting it in there. Also the beta design of rack that mounts the steering arms centrally is very unpopular. 99% of car manufacturers use racks of outboard inner tie rod design. If you managed to fit a different design of rack it would ruin the steering and handling of the beta.

Back to the drawing board.

Ian

Hi Ian

I was not really meaning using the Saab one, I was just interested to find, having never come across one before, a mixed electric and hydraulic rack which seems to answer some of the issues faced with all electric assistance. I guess the reservoir and pump could be located away from the rack given it is just two pipes which move the fluid.

I wonder if it is feasible to make the original Beta power steering rack use an electric pump, or is that more work than makes sense?

Peter

Hi Peter

Yes I think it would be feasible to use an electric pump for the Beta Power Steering design. BUT which pump?? A close study of the rating of the OE pump is required before finding cars with electric pumps then finding their pressure rating. Some I have seen combine the oil reservoir which is neat.

You would want to avoid taking hydraulic pipes over the exhaust manifold or at least heavily heat shield them IMHO.

I decided OE would do for my build.

Eric 

Hi Eric

The Saab one has the reservoir on top of the pump which is neat, but may be more difficult to locate. It is used on other GM cars I believe.

Peter

With an electric/hydraulic system it might also be possible to regulate the pressure and how much assistance it gives. Interesting idea!

Hi

Thought you might find this video interesting, guy goes on a little, but worth a watch if you are interested in power steering as an option.

https://youtu.be/SnnVqs-fQ0U

Peter