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MG MGF Technical - Retro Fit EPAS

Having decided to keep me F after all :-) I'd like to fit Power Steering. I think I know where to source the parts, but don't know as yet how much for.

Question is has anyone else tried fitting it? I've checked the archive and only found one reference stating that it was a big job and shouldn't be attempted.

I've got until next Spring to get it fitted, and would like to hear from anyone who's don't it themselves.

Thanks!
John Samson

I think your best bet is to give MGF Centre a call and enquire about fitting an EPAS column and associated bits 01902 403045.
tim woolcott

Don't forget that the EPAS steering rack is not the same as the Non-EPAS installed item
tim woolcott

John, I'd think the rack and mechanical stuff would be the easy bit.

Don't forget it needs it's own electronic control unit, heavy duty power supply, fuses, and connections to main mems, speedo & tacho ...

I would be very surprised if your existing wiring loom would take it :-(

jt
John Thomas

John, as Tim says, the MGF Centre is probably a good place to start looking for the parts that you'll need.

Happily, the conversion *ought* be the reasonably straightforward, in that the EPAS acts directly upon the steering column. In addition you'll also need the EPAS ECU, and a little more wiring and a fuse under the front bonnet.

Tim's right: EPAS equipped cars have a slower steering rack (3.6 versus 3.2 turns lock to lock non the non-assisted versus EPAS rack respectively). But these are compatible with the EPAS, but you may want to consider taking advantage of the mechanical assistance that EPAS provides, and install a faster rack. The TF uses the superior 2.8 turns-lock to lock rack - costs 75 quid from Victoria. Or three times that much if bought new from MG...

Good luck with your conversion!

PS- there is more than one version of EPAS: there are small, but perhaps significant differences between early MGF and MY2000 EPAS, and there was another change with the TF.

All systems are compatible with all steering racks.

However, I am not sure about the digital speed signal from the instrument pack: should be the same for all models, but if you want to play it safe, get the EPAS from the same model year car as yours.
Rob Bell

Column Tim, not rack, Scarlet is non-EPAS and she now has a TF rack (didn't you wonder why the steering was heavy Tim?) ;-)

I enquired about this the other day with Victoria, basically Scarlet needs a new steering column and i asked her to source a non-epas, MY2K version (with the height adjuster). She said that this doesn't exist (i assume EPAS was fitted as standard by the MY2K). So i asked the question about retro-fitting EPAS.

She told me it was a major job, requiring substantial modifications to the wiring loom. :-(

So i called it a day and (although i have yet to receive it), i understand there is a non-EPAS Mk1 steering column on it's way to me.

SF
Scarlet Fever

It sounds like this mod will be hard work, but not impossible.

SF - When you say that substantial re-work is required to the wiring loom, does that mean replace the original completely, or add the extra cores that aren't there? I would have thought that MG would have one standard wiring loom that went in to all F's, and used the cores needed instead of having different wiring looms for different specifications.

What other difficulties can I expect? I'm an electronics engineer by trade so shouldn't have too much bother with the sparky side of life, I was more concerned originally with the mechanical side. ie, replacing the rack etc...

Thanks.
John Samson

John, unfortunatly it's lightly that the loom will be diffrent, to check remove the glovebox and lie on the floor and look directly up, there might be two large connectors there, if there is then _Ding_ , if not then wac-wac 8-). Instructions and pics of this general area are available on robs site under diy->EPAS Bypass.
Will Munns

Rob,

75 quid for a TF rack? Is that all? Does it make much difference?

Tim.
Tim Jenner

Tim - well I'm a fan :o)
I got one fitted because I wanted sharper steering in the twisties. I didn't get that - well, not quite as much as I had irrationally hoped ;o). What I did get though was steering that 'feels' a lot better, with meatier feel through the helm, and more feedback than I got with the standard rack. The unexpected gain was stability on the motorway. You know how the car wonders a little at motorway cruise? Well now that's gone completely :o)

75 quid + VAT is the second-hand price. New from Rover they're rather more: £172.59 + VAT. Tech-speed do an excellent deal on their fitting though :o)
Rob Bell

> >Tech-speed do an excellent deal on their fitting though :o)

See Rob's latest and excellent article in MG World this month - fame at last for Greg!
Dave

Thanks for the kind words Dave - I wasn't aware that the article had come out yet! LOL

Note that picture of N7RMB was taken some while ago - the doors are sans white dot, and the old gal's still on her 5-spoke VVC 15" wheels!!!
Rob Bell

The EPAS has been retro fitted to the RV8 cars, which has substantially different looms to the F/TF so I cannot see why this should be too much of a problem if your pockets are deep enough and you have sufficiant technical information at hand, parts supply are not a problem and if you have to resort to a loom swap this is only a 6-8 hour job. The looms are different for each spec car BTW.
Mike.
mike

This thread was discussed between 04/09/2003 and 05/09/2003

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