Electric Power Steering Vrs Hydraulic Power Steering

[johns cuda shop]

 After talking to a few vendors this year, this looks like it might be big next thing in the resto mod world.. I know that the Hydraulic assist has developed over the years , but not having a pump to run on the front of the engine has advantages , more power and mileage . I wonder how reliable it is ? What are your thoughts.?  http://www.caranddriver.com/features/electric-vs-hydraulic-steering-a-comprehensive-comparison-test-feature 

[roadman5312]

I've been following this also, reducing the drag of the belt driven power steering pump is a definate advantage. I'm also looking at the A/C compressors being electrically powered. It's the wave of the future that can some really cool advantages to the hobby, but I'm watching from the sidelines, checking reviews, etc. It can be pretty   

[brads70]

Kevin Wesley is using a unit from a Vue/Cruze/Equinox  in his Dart build. Love the craftsmanship going into this car! 
http://board.moparts.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Number=8073886

[RCCDrew]

Sounds like a good idea until it fails without warning like has been happening on Saturn Ions.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140320/OEM11/140329984?template=mobile

[Chryco Psycho]

I understand the production Challengers are using electric assist now too , it must be proven

[ChallengerHK]

Sounds like a good idea until it fails without warning like has been happening on Saturn Ions.
http://www.autonews.com/article/20140320/OEM11/140329984?template=mobile

Would that be any worse than dropping a belt, though?

[RCCDrew]

I'm not sure, but they are saying 13 deaths linked to the electric power steering.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2014/04/20/documents-show-gm-waited-years-to-recall-saturn-ions-over-power-steering/

[ChallengerHK]

The article says 13 deaths due to ignition switch problems, but 12 crashes and 2 injuries linked to the power steering.

I can see how a sudden loss of power assist could freak out someone who wasn't really a good driver (especially with old, over-assisted Chrysler products, where you're suddenly feeling a lot more pull on the wheel), but I still don't see how it would be different from regular hydraulic assist failure due to dropping a belt. The only difference I could see would be if the electric assist was prone to electrical fires, maybe.

[HP_Cuda]

Was talking to someone about this the other day since this friend had a car with a recall on the electric assist.

I said "Don't panic if it happens and you'll be alright

If you are at high speed like a freeway when this happens you will not be making huge corrections either. My guess is folks freak out let go of the steering wheel and hold on. Panic will not solve anything.

 

[HP2]

I'm sure it does reduce drag on the engine, but I doubt it is more than 10-12 hp, hardly enough to be felt by the seat of your pants. If you are an OEM where your tax burden can be helped by a .1 improvement in gas mileage, I'm sure these are a significant improvement for them. For adaption to a classic, it sounds like a lot of extra work with significant cost for very little return on improved feel or increased power.

[dodj]

A friend of mine had a Ford Explorer and he said his steering would loose power assist every now and then. So we looked under the hood and couldn't find a power steering pump, I was thinking loose belt. Found out it is electric and there is a set of contacts, I think they were on the column, that need to be cleaned as part of maintenance. It was just like loosing a belt, the steering got tough. Stop the vehicle. Shut it off, restart and good to go again for a while.

[ChallengerHK]

That's what I would be concerned about, contact issues and switch issues. That's one of the main places auto manufacturers are cutting corners nowadays. About two thirds of my job at Ford was training for electrical engineers because of recalls.

[quagmire]

I think the bigger issue with older retrofits will be electrical demands.  I highly doubt factory alternators will work.  These systems use pretty big cables and fuses.  It'd also require calibration to get the desired road feel without being too vague or heavy.  Generally this is variable and referenced to vehicle speed so that is another input that would be needed for optimal operation.

Most cars nowadays have electric steering, and when calibrated well they perform quite well.  They also have the option of having multiple levels for driver needs (sport, normal, soft, etc.)  It's actually pretty cool and more reliable than a hydraulic system.

[1 Wild R/T]

     It's actually pretty cool and more reliable than a hydraulic system.

Considering how many years Hydraulic systems have been in use & how many of those systems were/are 100% trouble free & how short the track history of EPS systems & how many known failures have occurred you'll have a hard time backing that statement up with facts....
Cheaper to produce, sure..
Easier to vary the assist level, sure..
More compact packaging, sure..
More reliable? evidence doesn't support that.... Yet... And considering how cheaply manufacturers want things produced these days I doubt it ever will...

[Jesus H Chrysler]

Chryco is right.  My 12 has electric steering.  From a drivers standpoint it's very responsive and works seamlessly with the rest of the car.  But that's because of the level of integration in the modern Challenger.  Speed sensitive assist is available because the vehicle is always monitoring your speed for the ABS etc anyway.  In a retrofit application, you'd have to add digital speed sensors and a CPU to process the data for the speed sensitive variable assist function to work, which is far more work than the average hobbyist would put in for such a small return.  The same as the minor HP gain from removing the pump.  Also the electric assist unit saves you no weight.  From what I remember it was fairly large and bulky when I was trying to adapt the SRT brake ducts to my car.  I don't believe the SRT Challenger has electric steering because the motor sits right where the passenger side brake duct is.