$35 Electric Power Steering with Fail-Safe - No eBay module and no caster issues!!!
#1
On The Tree
Thread Starter
$35 Electric Power Steering with Fail-Safe - No eBay module and no caster issues!!!
It has been a while since I posted on this forum. I am not making or selling anything. I have posted this on couple of other forums and this is not for everyone.
Some of you have manual steering and I though you might like to see how added electric assisted power steering in my 1964 Falcon. Some of you may have come across the Saturn Vue conversions but I think I have found even cheaper and better alternative with no caster issues!
My testing shows that most Japanese branded cars and SUV with electric steering works in Fail-Safe mode if the control unit (ECU) is disconnected from CAN BUS. The effort in Fail-Safe mode feels just right like my 2013 Honda Civic. Not too much and not too little. Just like Hydraulic Steering, if the Electric Assisted Steering completely fails, the steering is back to completely manual mode maintaining car control.
The biggest advantage of using EPS from Toyota, Nissan and Kia/Hyundai is that the EPS works in Fail-Safe. The ECU for the column is mounted remotely and cab be disconnected and removed. The EPS from Saturn Vue and Chevy Cobalt has the ECU that cannot be disconnected and must be de-soldered for remote mount. More importantly there is no Fail-Safe and a 3rd party eBay module is needed in order for it to work. Additionally , people have reported that with after market eBay module, the Saturn EPS does not self center the steering wheel coming out of a turn. You have to make constant corrections.
Below is the list of Car that I know of that has Fail-Safe Electric Steering. Only 3 wire connection. Ignition On, Power and Ground to the Steering ECU. That's it !
2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS)
2007-2009 Nissan Versa
2009-2012 Nissan Cube
2012-2014 Kia Soul
ECU Part Numbers:
2004-2009 Toyota Prius 89650-47102
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla 89650-02300
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS) 89650-52120 / 52050
2007-2009 Nissan Versa 28500-EM30A / 991-30303
2009-2012 Nissan Cube 28500-1FC0B / JL501-000932
2012-2014 Kia Soul B2563-99500 / 4PSG1312 / FPSG1312
The output shaft on Toyota is little larger than the rest and therefore the Borgeson 312500, 11/16 36 X 3/4 smooth bore weldable coupling should fits nicely. This couple fits the others as well. The Kia EPS is the biggest and appears to be most heavy duty. The Prius & Corolla EPS are very easy to find at salvage yards so this is the best bet. I picked up these EPS for testing for $35 each at my local pic-a-part
Note: As with any modification, there are risks. This post is intended to show how I did my modification. Use it at your own risk!
Waid
Some of you have manual steering and I though you might like to see how added electric assisted power steering in my 1964 Falcon. Some of you may have come across the Saturn Vue conversions but I think I have found even cheaper and better alternative with no caster issues!
My testing shows that most Japanese branded cars and SUV with electric steering works in Fail-Safe mode if the control unit (ECU) is disconnected from CAN BUS. The effort in Fail-Safe mode feels just right like my 2013 Honda Civic. Not too much and not too little. Just like Hydraulic Steering, if the Electric Assisted Steering completely fails, the steering is back to completely manual mode maintaining car control.
The biggest advantage of using EPS from Toyota, Nissan and Kia/Hyundai is that the EPS works in Fail-Safe. The ECU for the column is mounted remotely and cab be disconnected and removed. The EPS from Saturn Vue and Chevy Cobalt has the ECU that cannot be disconnected and must be de-soldered for remote mount. More importantly there is no Fail-Safe and a 3rd party eBay module is needed in order for it to work. Additionally , people have reported that with after market eBay module, the Saturn EPS does not self center the steering wheel coming out of a turn. You have to make constant corrections.
Below is the list of Car that I know of that has Fail-Safe Electric Steering. Only 3 wire connection. Ignition On, Power and Ground to the Steering ECU. That's it !
2004-2009 Toyota Prius
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS)
2007-2009 Nissan Versa
2009-2012 Nissan Cube
2012-2014 Kia Soul
ECU Part Numbers:
2004-2009 Toyota Prius 89650-47102
2009-2013 Toyota Corolla 89650-02300
2006-2011 Toyota Yaris - (With ABS) 89650-52120 / 52050
2007-2009 Nissan Versa 28500-EM30A / 991-30303
2009-2012 Nissan Cube 28500-1FC0B / JL501-000932
2012-2014 Kia Soul B2563-99500 / 4PSG1312 / FPSG1312
The output shaft on Toyota is little larger than the rest and therefore the Borgeson 312500, 11/16 36 X 3/4 smooth bore weldable coupling should fits nicely. This couple fits the others as well. The Kia EPS is the biggest and appears to be most heavy duty. The Prius & Corolla EPS are very easy to find at salvage yards so this is the best bet. I picked up these EPS for testing for $35 each at my local pic-a-part
Note: As with any modification, there are risks. This post is intended to show how I did my modification. Use it at your own risk!
Waid
Last edited by waid786; 10-21-2016 at 04:50 PM.
The following users liked this post:
nsliwinski (07-13-2019)
The following users liked this post:
nsliwinski (07-13-2019)
Trending Topics
#8
On The Tree
Thread Starter
In order to use the Electric Steering with power steering box, the steering box has to be converted to manual by tack welding the input shaft to worm shaft. This is how I welded my input shaft to the pinion shaft in my rack and pinion. I removed the valve sleeve.
#9
On The Tree
Thread Starter
YouTube Videos:
DIY Electric Power Steering 1 - EPS with Fail Safe
DIY Electric Power Steering 2 - Bench Test
DIY Electric Power Steering 3 - Mounting Options
DIY Electric Power Steering 4 - In Car Test
DIY Electric Power Steering 1 - EPS with Fail Safe
DIY Electric Power Steering 2 - Bench Test
DIY Electric Power Steering 3 - Mounting Options
DIY Electric Power Steering 4 - In Car Test
The following users liked this post:
1964SS (08-17-2021)
#12
On The Tree
Thread Starter
If you already have a manual rack, this is the an awesome mod to give your car a power steering with little $$$. There are tons of Prius & Corollas in salvage yards!
If the EPS ever fails, you will always have steering just like when your hydraulic power steering pump fails.
Wahid
If the EPS ever fails, you will always have steering just like when your hydraulic power steering pump fails.
Wahid
#17
On The Tree
Thread Starter
No I am in mid-west. I wish I was in Socal!
You guys are lucky to have so many LQK out there so the EPS is easy to find! Recently, I was on business in Socal and visited several LKQ to get Toyota Yaris ECU. The non-ABS Yaris will give variable power assisted based on pulses from speed sensor and works with Prius EPS. I went home with several non-ABS ECU's. I also stopped by LKQ in your home town of Victorville but they did not have any at the time. The Yaris EPS is very small and I would not use it on bigger car.
This mod is actually very easy especially in older cars with simpler steering columns. Post your questions and I will be happy to walk you though!
Waid
You guys are lucky to have so many LQK out there so the EPS is easy to find! Recently, I was on business in Socal and visited several LKQ to get Toyota Yaris ECU. The non-ABS Yaris will give variable power assisted based on pulses from speed sensor and works with Prius EPS. I went home with several non-ABS ECU's. I also stopped by LKQ in your home town of Victorville but they did not have any at the time. The Yaris EPS is very small and I would not use it on bigger car.
This mod is actually very easy especially in older cars with simpler steering columns. Post your questions and I will be happy to walk you though!
Waid
#19
Waid,
Am attempting to install EPS on a smallish Mitsubishi tractor. I chose a 2011 Hyundai Sonata since you advised that unit was 'beefier'.
In doing a bench test I am using your hook-up example of the Soul for mine (and they are obviously differently wired) and I'm not getting anything - in the picture I am using the pink wire for on/off and the 2 big wires direct to battery. But I dont get anything!
Would another color wire possibly be for on/off? or?
Am attempting to install EPS on a smallish Mitsubishi tractor. I chose a 2011 Hyundai Sonata since you advised that unit was 'beefier'.
In doing a bench test I am using your hook-up example of the Soul for mine (and they are obviously differently wired) and I'm not getting anything - in the picture I am using the pink wire for on/off and the 2 big wires direct to battery. But I dont get anything!
Would another color wire possibly be for on/off? or?
#20
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (18)
No I am in mid-west. I wish I was in Socal!
You guys are lucky to have so many LQK out there so the EPS is easy to find! Recently, I was on business in Socal and visited several LKQ to get Toyota Yaris ECU. The non-ABS Yaris will give variable power assisted based on pulses from speed sensor and works with Prius EPS. I went home with several non-ABS ECU's. I also stopped by LKQ in your home town of Victorville but they did not have any at the time. The Yaris EPS is very small and I would not use it on bigger car.
This mod is actually very easy especially in older cars with simpler steering columns. Post your questions and I will be happy to walk you though!
Waid
You guys are lucky to have so many LQK out there so the EPS is easy to find! Recently, I was on business in Socal and visited several LKQ to get Toyota Yaris ECU. The non-ABS Yaris will give variable power assisted based on pulses from speed sensor and works with Prius EPS. I went home with several non-ABS ECU's. I also stopped by LKQ in your home town of Victorville but they did not have any at the time. The Yaris EPS is very small and I would not use it on bigger car.
This mod is actually very easy especially in older cars with simpler steering columns. Post your questions and I will be happy to walk you though!
Waid
For the Nissan Versa EPS, do the torque sensor wiring have to be hooked up for this to work ? I'm getting nothing ! My only guess would be the second pigtail coming from the motor is for the torque sensoring.