Pantera powersteering… why? which and how!

I played around and it seems a 9mm spacer would work in the front between steering column and the dash structure..

I’m going to make one now….

I'm curious as to what changed between the original steering column and the new? The mounting tabs on both are flush with the outer diameter of the column. Why is a spacer needed to make the column cover fit? I must be missing something. Some of the pictures at the top of this page are not showing on my screen. I did see in the write-up that the cover needed to be trimmed in places.

@tsolo posted:

I'm curious as to what changed between the original steering column and the new? The mounting tabs on both are flush with the outer diameter of the column. Why is a spacer needed to make the column cover fit? I must be missing something. Some of the pictures at the top of this page are not showing on my screen. I did see in the write-up that the cover needed to be trimmed in places.

I was asking myself the same question while I was making that spacer! And I’m thinking that it should fit the way the original steering column fit because the dimensions are the same. The front bracket is level with the tube as the original one, so the only thing that Would be in the way is the cut out !

I think if I go up in the back by 5 mm, the front probably comes down by 9mm

Okay, I think I understand now. The original column mounted to the bottom plate with 4 bolts, so the angle was fixed. Now that the rear of that plate has been removed the angle is no longer fixed and you have to set it by the location of the new rear mounting holes. This is good information to have. You need to measure the clearance distance at the front of the column to dash prior to removing the original column. Then you need to match that distance when marking out the new rear mounting holes.

Could you reload the pictures at the top of this page so I could see them?

Steve

Here is what I did, and look at the end result:

the original cut:

the new modified cut:

everything fits from what I see no modification necessary on the Plastic..

@tsolo posted:

Okay, I think I understand now. The original column mounted to the bottom plate with 4 bolts, so the angle was fixed. Now that the rear of that plate has been removed the angle is no longer fixed and you have to set it by the location of the new rear mounting holes. This is good information to have. You need to measure the clearance distance at the front of the column to dash prior to removing the original column. Then you need to match that distance when marking out the new rear mounting holes.

Could you reload the pictures at the top of this page so I could see them?

Steve

you’re absolutely correct! And that was something I did not know…
After enlarge the cutout, it just - well I would not say it fell together - but I gave it one push and then  everything was where it supposed be… so now I still have to check the steering itself, so nothing is binding and then have to mark the rear holes..

Just by dimensions, both steering column, the old one and the power steering column all the same length size with the joint location the same - everything should fit… But spending some time with the file and the vice (making an unnecessary spacer) and I knew I got something wrong! I was just trying to fix the problem at the wrong end. I don’t need a spacer in the front. I need more room in the back!

those templates are rough guides but definitely not something to count on. There are no measurements understandably whatsoever and everything was welded together by Luigi and Giuseppe. Maybe it was Friday - they’re all different! Measurements really wouldn’t help except measure from the dashboard down to the steering column (before you take the original one apart)  and trim the ass end until the power steering unit  fits! And it will fit!

I try to avoid sharp corners in my cutting because they would act as stress risers… the force to move the front wheels is still the same just the force to move the steering wheel is lowered..

I’m feeling better now!

fixed that annoyance now!

Here is the next puzzle to solve…

The black bracket it’s on the rear of the power steering… once you put everything in place and attach the front 2 bolts you can feel the holes through the back, there’s like a 1 inch slot on the top, but you can stick a finger in… One finger only!

the instructions it says mark the holes for the bracket and drill the holes…

I couldn’t do it with everything in place..

paint on my fingertip.. no… not enough penetration into the hole…

so put everything together and put it in place where it’s supposed to be then unbolted that bracket and tried to the best of my abilities to leave it in place exactly it’s supposed to be and unbold the rest of the steering and removed it In the hope the bracket stayed in position! It’s held by the 2 uprights I trimmed before… about 92mm apart… if I touch the uprights the bracket moves… not falling out but moving… so did the whole procedure again and this time I just use the red can to get the outlines and hopefully the hole…

now while writing this and looking at the pic I should have made a paper template… that might be another solution! Maybe more accurate than my abstract painting!

up to this point I had the Powersteering in and out approximately 10 times!

Next drilling where the most room you have is 4 inches… and still no straight shot.. or view… what a pain!!! This job is for the yoga lover, limber and agile….

good old days…..

I’m taking a break, rearrange my spine, cleaning my reading glasses 🤓

Hole # 1 is done!!!

OMG … i’m amazed it didn’t break the pilot drill…

next I install the power steering again and see what it needs … at least I can adjust the bracket and then mark hole #2…

from their on it should be a lot easier!

Make sure you are making good patterns for all your friends who may be interested in installing PS in their rides!

They will be greatly appreciated!

no doubt about!!! I kept everything I cut… paper and metal!! I’m going to make a summary in the end…

Marking and drilling the rear, two holes is a chore. What a pain! Needs a few special tools…

One Long pilot drill cut to usable length.

Marker cut to usable length

Now here the @davidnunn upgrade..

welded a tube between the two ears of the rear bracket so a long bolt can be used!

I enlarged the 8 mm hole to half-inch, so I have some movement to tighten the Powersteering down relaxed but solid!

also got rid of all the sharp corners on the brackets, so it’s easier to move so it finds the place where wants to live!

Now. Close to the end of the mounting endeavor …. Balancing and holding the power steering unit so many times, trying to locate the front nuts that are welded in the structure to get the right angle with the bolt and not cross thread - I got the idea to change to studs instead… So much smarter so much easier! By a mile and a half!!!! Especially if you have to add the steering column shroud as well!
I got the 8mm bolt in the back in but it was a fight with the 1.5” thick 50 year old  stiff wiring harness… but it fits!!!  Tomorrow I measure the proper length for the bolt… take everything apart, fix my lower hollow, steering tube, make everything nice and spiffy, and reassemble it!!

honestly… I’d rather do 3 pedal boxes - Hell -  I’ll make that four!!!

When it started on Friday a week ago I said I should be done by Sunday. Well it’s going to be Sunday but a week later… Wow
I guess I’m getting old…

Well, the grip length needed is a hair under 105mm sheet metal outsides with EPS in… but I’m sure there a a couple mm squeeze left in the setup.. On the nut side is not much room….. not sure if I need to file the nut down to be able to fit a washer.. ( washer is 1.5mm thread pitch 1.25mm )

105+1.5+1.5+5 (4turns)=113mm

going to run with a 110mm and hope for the squeeze factor…

My friend, Riley, who used to be on the forum but has since sold his Pantera about a year ago, had added the SACC power steering unit to his '73, and I drove it once and thought it was great, especially with the adjustable boost.  He installed it himself, so it's doable.  The only reason I haven't added it to mine is because, with my very big feet, I drive mine for the last 30 years, barefooted, and the small electric box was mounted to the left of the clutch, and I was afraid I'd keep knocking my foot into it.  I've had several surgeries on the foot, and I was afraid, but would still love to do it and take some strain off of my 71 year old shoulders.  I will speak to Riley this afternoon and ask him to weigh in on this topic from first hand experience. 

I drive my Pantera barefoot as well for the same reason. I read something somewhere that led me to believe that there wouldn't be an interference issue, so I decided to take a chance and order the unit. I should have it this week. I won't be able to install it until mid-summer however. I can certainly look at it, though, and I'll report in as soon as I learn anything. Perhaps we need to start a support group of some sort.