Installation of Electric Power Steering for Vintage and Classic Vehicles

Installing electric power steering for vintage, classic, or super sports cars

Currently on the market, several types of electric power steering are available:

- The plug and play electric power steering kit

- The half-column electric power steering kit

- The universal electric power steering kit

- The plug and play installation simply involves replacing the original column with a complete column without cutting or welding the original column. (Slight modifications may be necessary depending on the vehicle, such as deforming or cutting a sheet that could obstruct the correct placement of the motor for assistance). For example, the Porsche 911 electric power steering kit can be installed in a few hours with a simple deformation of the additional heating compartment.

- The half-column installation simply involves cutting the complete column and then welding it with a sleeve specifically provided on your original column at a specific location to connect to the new column. This applies to certain car models where reproduction or original assembly does not allow for plug and play columns. For example, the Ford Mustang electric power steering kit requires cutting at the base of the column.

The universal installation is the most common but not the most appreciated by classic car enthusiasts. This installation requires good welding and mechanical knowledge because it involves cutting the original column in two places to install the universal kit. Furthermore, this installation does not comply with traffic regulations.

Installation of Electric Power Steering for Classic Cars

To install all these kits, you will need standard tools for a DIY enthusiast, no specific tools are necessary except for a welding machine depending on the kit. In any case, you will need to start by removing the plastics around your column. For the following steps, it is necessary to disconnect your battery. Once the battery and plastics are removed, you can proceed to the ignition lock and the steering wheel. Make sure to take pictures of the wiring connections of the ignition lock to avoid any mistakes during reassembly. Once everything is disassembled, you can disconnect your column from its steering shaft, flex disc, or gear and remove it from the vehicle. To install the column with assistance, simply reverse the steps. The wiring of the electric power steering kit will be provided with the kit and may differ from vehicle to vehicle. In any case, you will need an ignition-switched +, a ground, and a battery +.

However, sometimes we are forced to use a universal kit to convert the steering, and then the installation becomes more complicated because, as mentioned above, two cuts and two welds are necessary.

Let's Talk About the Cost of Installing an Electric Power Steering Kit

As mentioned earlier, several types of installations exist, so prices can vary from single to triple depending on the type of installation acquired.

Expect to pay between 450 and 1200 euros depending on the installation and desired kit.

Please note that these prices are indicative and include disassembly and reassembly of the column on your vehicle.