Who's installed Litesteer steering?

I've been involved with fitting it to a Brazilian bay, the steering column is quite different from an original bay so don't know how one of them would compare.

But the one we had in was a lot nicer to drive after.

 

You're right, I missed that bit in the vid. Is the stuff well made/welded?

 

If it wasn’t well made I wouldn’t have bought it or installed it.
The inner column is replaced entirely with a new single piece item; the only welded component is the flange (wait for witty comments) on the bottom of the outer column.

 

Without power steering if you’re stationary it’s difficult to turn the steering and you put a large load on the steering components to overcome tyre to road friction. With power steering it’s easy to turn the wheel but the load hasn’t increased, the friction between tyre and road is exactly the same.

A servo doesn’t make the brakes any better and power steering doesn’t make the steering better – all a servo does is reduce the effort required by your foot and all power steering does is reduce the effort required by your arms.

 

The Litesteer system has a connection to the coil and doesn’t work unless the engine is running (and charging the battery).

 

..I am currently working on my power steering setup..nothing exiting really but have made decision its the way to go..anyway I am using the corsa steering column and universal joint from astra g or h cant remember..the reason for that is that noticed the corsa uj doesn't fit the steering box on the bus on the other end..with the astra one though the bouth ends are exactly same only needed little bit of machining inside the bit that goes on the original box..unfortunately I have to stop working on it now (wife needs new kitchen :/ )..I also noticed that litesteer setup is nothing else then corsa c column aswell so my setup will basically look same as theirs..total cost so far about 50 quid and will probably cost no more then 100 quid in total..and the only thig needing welding is top steering bus column which need to be cut and welded up onto the corsa one..
few pics..

 

In the back of my mind i'm sure I've read there are certain parts of a car that by law cannot be welded and one of those is the steering column?

 

This is from the MOT Testers Manual
2.2 Steering System
C. Static Inspection
1.
With the road wheels on the ground and the steering wheel and system stationary.
Check for:
e.
Inappropriate modification or repairs, especially by welding, or evidence that excessive heat has been applied, to steering components or structural members.
Failure if:
e.
Inappropriate structural modification or repair by welding to a steering linkage component, or signs of excessive heat having been applied

 

A bit of a grey area then "inappropriate".

 

Somebody mentioned the litesteer kit has one piece column, I wondered if the reason was legal and part of the cause of the relatively high price of the kits.

 

I suppose somebody is better than being called nobody.

 

Couldn't be arsed to look back.

 

I had them install mine a few months back. I live pretty near so thought I'd take the easy option. It makes a massive difference parking, although mine's a little light for my liking, but nice Mr Oakley said they'd sort it if I leave it with them for a day.
Talking with him and looking at work he'd done I had complete confidence, he really knows his stuff.
He explained that there's no additional stress on the steering box in terms of forces applied since the gearing doesn't change, but still you need to remember to turn only when moving as described previously.
He's developing a steering rack conversion now.
Best bet to give them a call. Really nice people happy to go over requirements.

 

The price is largely due to automotive supply chain practices. They use a GM unit which they then strip and modify but have to pay a fairly high premium because of the way mass production works and access to OE parts is limited.

 

The laser cut spline on the column cost an arm and a leg in the early days...can't remember the point at which Neil got a quantity discount but it did mean a fair few number of units to be sold before it kicked in...

 

I didn't pick up on that, but I think he said that they couldn't buy the units from the manufacturer direct so had to get them from GM spares at close to retail, then re-engineer to suit.