23 replies to this topic

[CMXCVIII]

just read other threads and seems like i have opened a can of worms....for what its worth....i have had minis for 20 yrs and never had a problem...got married and now it seems a problem....

Reminds me of a friend's story [not mine]

"Before she passed her test, I could be could be completely sideways, out of control and bricking it, but she'd just sit there completely happy and make goo goo eyes!

Now, if I do 31 miles per hour she starts shouting at me but meantime, if it moves in London, she's hit it at least once!!"

[daveydavey]

a bini.......not the same really.............rather have a mini with power steering

[Alex_B]

For the expense, engineering know how and time it would be cheaper to get a new wife

In all seriousness the effort needed to install a different steering column, get the end welded to a mini connection for the steering rack, installing the speed sensor, and pump is a lot, its not a quick job by anyones standards.

I know I am a teenage lad who wouldnt mind my steering being a bit heavy when I have mounted some carlos fandango wheels, but half the fun of a mini is the feel of being connected to the road and in control, does she not enjoy that or is it a pain to park situation?

[daveydavey]

its the parking i think............thing is...she is used to driving cars with power steering or cars that you can turn the wheel with one hand.......it aint her fault....i want to give her power steering in order that i can go on and potter away with minis....she thinks they are great....but cant seem to overcome the effort involved turning the wheel at very slow speeds...bear in mind she only does the school run and shopping trips both involve speeds of upto around 25mph.
if i can keep her happy driving a mini now and again it makes MY life so much easier

[Alex_B]

That makes sense, how about fitting a mk1 style steering wheel, they are larger diameter and thus you have a bigger lever, which in turn will make the steering lighter?

Or fitting slimmer wheels, I used to run 12x4.5 wheels which made parking very easy, and now im on 12x5.5s and it does require more effort but still not an issue and I am a weedy weakling really.

[minimissionary]

Agreed on the 4.5's. I was astonished at how much heavier the steering gets with wider wheels fitted. I'd never go for anything other.

[Midas Mk1]

Bigger steering wheel = more leverage, maybe try this low cost solution first

[JustSteve]

bigger steering wheel, but also you can get 'steering arms' that are longer and give more leverage, but reduce the turning circle.. worht a try?

[daveydavey]

think i will try the bigger steering wheel first up then maybe the smaller wheels

Thanks for the feedback :)