5-4-97
I'm putting my 1970 1800E back on the road. One thing: even when the car was new, I missed power steering. At low speeds (such as parking), it could be a bear. In the intervening 25 years, hasn't anyone come up with a modification to add this feature?
"chita" <chita@worldnet.att.net>
Chita-
I don't remember seeing an add-on power steering kit for the P1800. The fact that it has power brakes makes the car a little "soft" for a '60s sports car. The British sports cars of the time, MGs, Austin-Healeys and Jaguars, to name a few, were notorious for their lack of amenities.
There are rare creative geniuses out there whose medium is the automobile. They create a unique form of functional sculpture that most of us pass off as some wild "hot rod." If you were lucky enough to be friends with one of them, you might be able to equip your P1800 with power steering.
Otherwise, I would recommend testing and possibly replacing the upper and lower balljoints in your car's front suspension. I've found that these parts last only about 60,000 miles before they start to get stiff.
You can prolong the life of balljoints by using a grease needle to add suspension grease to their grease boots, but the best remedy is replacement with quality parts from IPD or Volvo.
My testing consists of driving the car slowly (15 mph) on a gravel road. If the steering is incredibly easier than on a paved surface at the same speed, I replace the balljoints. I know that doesn't sound very scientific, and I could theorize all night about how it works, but it works for me. -Glenn.
From: "chita" <chita@worldnet.att.net>
To: "Glenn R. Goodspeed" <ggoodspe@startext.net>
Date: Mon, 5 May 1997
.
> There are rare creative geniuses out there whose medium is the automobile.
> They create a unique form of functional sculpture that most of us pass off
> as some wild "hot rod."
<sigh> I know just what you mean. I'm looking for exactly this sort of person. If you hear of one, do drop a trail of crumbs my way. <G>
> Otherwise, I would recommend testing and possibly replacing the upper and
> lower balljoints in your car's front suspension. I've found that these
> parts last only about 60,000 miles before they start to get stiff.
I wish there were something wrong like this, but that's not it. Remember, I've owned the car since new. It was always a pain at low speeds. I pumped up the front tires regularly to something like 45 pounds, in order to accommodate it. It just was heavy, that's all. It needed power steering right off the drawing board. The rest of the Volvo line did too (I'd owned two others by then) but I didn't own them long and I managed. THIS one went over the top.
We'll see. Perhaps I'll end up swapping it. At the moment, I've got feelers out everywhere. Maybe something will turn up. It would be ironic in the extreme if it ended up with a Toyota unit. <GGG>
Regards - thanks for the input,
Chita